When it comes to navigating the unpredictable terrain of life, having the right set of wheels can make all the difference. Just a few months ago, my wife narrowly avoided a collision thanks to her trusty 2007 Ford Explorer. Although she emerged unscathed, our reliable SUV was not as lucky. Finding ourselves in need of a replacement during a challenging time in the used car market, we landed on a 2008 Explorer as the ideal match. However, before putting it through its paces, we discovered that its eight-year-old all-season tires were past their prime, despite having plenty of tread left.
Given that this particular Explorer boasts a robust four-wheel drive system, we set out to explore all-terrain tire options in the factory size, which led us to the Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT. Designed as the successor to the popular Discoverer AT3 4S, the Road+Trail AT is built to handle rugged landscapes without compromising its on-road performance. Despite my visions of winter escapades in the mountains and off-road adventures, the reality is that, like most all-terrain vehicles, this SUV will spend the majority of its time on paved roads.
In the past, opting for rugged all-terrain tires would have meant sacrificing road comfort for off-road capability. However, recent advancements in tire technology have debunked this notion. The Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT, for example, not only enhanced the Explorer’s on-road handling but also did so without adding excessive road noise, unlike the more subdued all-season tires they replaced.
Intrigued by the strides in tire design, I reached out to Jenny Paige, Director of North American Product Marketing for Goodyear–Cooper’s parent company. Paige shed light on the technology driving these advancements, citing computer modelling as a game-changer in the development process. By fine-tuning variations of tread patterns and lug shapes, tire manufacturers like Cooper are able to minimize road noise and optimize performance.
Paige emphasized the complexity of developing all-terrain tires, which must excel across a wide range of criteria, some of which are seemingly contradictory. The tread compound, for instance, must strike a balance between softness for traction in severe winter conditions and durability for rugged terrains. Achieving this delicate equilibrium requires meticulous expertise and extensive testing.
Although computer modelling has revolutionized tire development, real-world testing remains indispensable. Cooper’s prototype versions undergo rigorous evaluation at their test track in Texas and other extreme condition facilities, with the resulting data informing further tweaks and improvements. This meticulous process ultimately yields better-performing, more resilient, and safer all-terrain tires.
The evolution of all-terrain tires has undoubtedly transformed the driving experience, offering drivers the best of both worlds: superior on-road performance without sacrificing off-road capabilities. As the automotive industry continues to push the boundaries of innovation, the future of all-terrain tires looks promising indeed. These advancements not only enhance vehicle performance but also reinforce safety and peace of mind on the road.