Tire Review: Cooper Discoverer HT3 - The big let-down

Cooper HT3 - The Big let-down

The Cooper Discoverer HT3 is a commercial all-season tire designed for use on light trucks and vans, including vehicles like the Mercedes/Freightliner Sprinter 3500. However, it did not come standard on Mercedes Sprinter vans. The Mercedes Sprinter typically comes with different tire options depending on the model and configuration, and the Cooper Discoverer HT3 is an aftermarket option that can be chosen for its benefits in wet traction, stability, and fuel economy.

But how good is it? We found out it was great… until it wasn’t. And Cooper really let us down.

For context, we purchased this tire through Discount Tire / America’s Tire shops. But they’re available on tirerack.com, pepboys and others.

The Cooper Discoverer HT3 is a solid choice for a Mercedes Sprinter van, particularly if your driving primarily involves highway use and light off-road conditions.

Our Test Vehicle:

Van: 2013 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500 (low-roof) V6 Turbo Diesel

Buildout: Sportsmobile with a poptop camper - seating for 8 - no kitchen/water/toilet

Weight: 7,000lbs(ish)

Size of tire: Stock spec 245/75R16 on OEM 16” Steel Wheels

Tested PSI: 52 Front - 60 to 65 rear

Miles Tested: 12,000 miles

The good

Performance and Handling:

Highway Stability: The HT3 is engineered for highway driving that’s clear. It offers reliable traction and handling on both dry and wet surfaces and worked well for us. It seemed predictable. Handling the 8500lb van we tested it on pretty well. The tread design includes wide circumferential grooves that effectively channel water away when the tire was new. This really helps reduce the risk of hydroplaning.

Comfortable Ride: A lot of others have reported the same thing we felt, that the HT3 provided a smooth and quiet ride. In the spring and even summer months where we’re putting a lot of just highway miles between trips and not much trail or off-road driving, this really helped keep things quieter and smoother for us. The Michelin’s we tested were equally excellent in this area. This is a tire that’s meant to last over 50,000 miles and even up to 70,000 miles. For a tire that’s quite hard, it was nice and quiet.

Load Capacity:

Commercial Spec: Designed for commercial vehicles and standard on many feet vans, the HT3 is designed to handle the weight and load requirements of a Sprinter van.

For a standard (low) roof Sprinter, the Max available GVW is 8500lbs. Our van is under that cargo or people (8). So the max payload for a sprinter is around 3200lbs.

The HT3 is spec’d at as a Load Range E tire. What does that mean? Load range E refers to a tire's maximum load capacity and durability, and indicates that the tire can handle a heavy load without overheating or deforming:  A tire with a Load Range of E can support a weight of 1,520 lbs at 80 psi of inflation. But wait, if you times that by 4 and you get 6080lbs don’t you??? Yes, but that’s not really how this works. The tire itself has a Max Load of 3042lbs. So take that and times it by 4 and you get a combined 12,168lbs of Max load. But a van is never weight balanced evenly. Most vans carry their weight rear of the centerline of the vehicle and are designed to cary cargo just in front and over the rear axle for the safest way. That means you have more weight on the rear tires then the front. This is why you’ll notice we run more PSI in the rear tires vs. the front tires. More on weight distribution in our other post.

Fit for Sprinter Vans:

The HT3 fits perfectly. No scrubbing, not issues. The 245/75R16 is designed to fit on a rim from 6.5-8:0” in width. So you can run these on not only the OEM Mercedes Steel Wheels but also aftermarket wheels like the popular Method or Black Rhinos you find available for Sprinter Vans. And yes, they’ll fit the Sprinter OEM alloy wheels perfectly.

The OK

Price/Cost

Budget: The Cooper HT3 isn’t cheap but they are priced very much inline with other name brand tires. The price range for Load Range E tires typically varies from $150 to $300 per tire so they’re right in the mid to upper end of that range.

Comparison

Cooper Discoverer HT3 - $212.99 ($851.96 set) made in USA 🇺🇸

Michelin Agilis LTX - $270.99 ($1,083.96 set) - top rated and OEM spec - view our review - made in USA 🇺🇸

Continental VancoFourSeason $254.06 ($1,016.24 set) OEM Spec - made in Czech Republic 🇨🇿

Vredestein Pinza HT - $214.77 ($859.08 set) - top rated - Made in India 🇮🇳

Kumho Crugen HT51 - $203.00 ($812.00 set) - view our review - made in S. Korea 🇰🇷

Yokohama Geolandar H/T G056 - $216.99 ($867.96 set) - made in USA 🇺🇸

Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse HT - $229.99 ($891.99 set) - made in USA 🇺🇸

Falken WildPeak H/T02 - $199.00 ($796.00 set)

Bridgestone Duravis R500 HD - $289.07 ($1,158.80 set) - Made in Japan 🇯🇵

Bridgestone Dueler LX - $212.00 ($848.00 set) - Made in Canada 🇨🇦

Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 - $251.42 ($1,005.68 set) - made in Canada 🇨🇦

Hankook Dynapro HT RH12 - $218.99 ($875.96 set) - made in USA 🇺🇸

General Grabber HD - $193.99 ($775.96 set) Made in USA 🇺🇸or Equador 🇪🇨

Yokohama Geolandar H/T G056 $216.99 ($867.96 set) - made in Philippines 🇵🇭

Sumitomo Encounter HT2 - $194.90 ($737.60 set) Made in Japan 🇯🇵

sss

BFGoodrich Commercial T/A All-Season 2 $211.99 ($847,96 set)

The Bad

Durability and Tread Life:

Extended Tread Life: This is where we will have to give this tire a big negative. We just mentioned that the tire can last for quite a while. The tire features continuous shoulder ribs that the manufacturer describes, supposedly that’s designed to promote even wear which obviously enhances its longevity. Cooper backs the HT3 with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty because it’s a commercial grade tire (Load E), indicating confidence in its durability.

All-Season Capability:

• Versatile Performance: While not a dedicated winter tire, the HT3 offers decent traction in light snow conditions, thanks to its tread design and siping. However, for severe winter conditions, a dedicated winter tire would be more appropriate.

Considerations:

• Off-Road Limitations: The HT3 is not intended for heavy off-road use. If your Sprinter frequently encounters rugged terrains, an all-terrain tire might be more suitable.

• Winter Performance: In regions with harsh winter conditions, the HT3’s performance may be limited. For enhanced safety, consider switching to winter-specific tires during colder months.

The Cooper Discoverer HT3 is a reliable and durable option for Mercedes Sprinter van owners who prioritize highway performance, comfort, and moderate all-season capability. Its design caters well to the demands of commercial vehicles like the Sprinter.

While the Cooper Discoverer HT3 has many strengths, there are some downsides that may make it less than ideal for certain situations. Here are the areas where it might fall short:

1. Limited Off-Road Capability

• Not Ideal for Rugged Terrain: The HT3 is designed primarily for highway and light-duty driving. It lacks the aggressive tread pattern needed for significant off-road performance, such as deep mud, rocks, or heavy gravel.

• Traction Issues in Loose Surfaces: It can struggle in conditions like loose sand or uneven dirt roads.

2. Winter Performance

• Not a Dedicated Winter Tire: While it can handle light snow, the HT3 doesn’t perform as well as dedicated winter tires in icy or snowy conditions. For severe winter driving, you’d likely need to switch to specialized winter tires.

• Harder Rubber Compound in Cold: The all-season rubber compound becomes less pliable in very low temperatures, which can reduce grip and handling.

3. Noise Levels Over Time

• Potential for Increased Noise: Some drivers report that as the tire wears down, it becomes noisier, especially at highway speeds. This can be a drawback for long-distance travelers seeking a quiet cabin experience.

4. Handling at Higher Speeds

• Not a High-Performance Tire: While the HT3 performs well for everyday driving, it is not designed for high-speed handling or sporty driving. This might be a limitation for drivers who want sharper performance or quicker steering response.

5. Fuel Efficiency

• Rolling Resistance: While not the worst in its class, the HT3’s rolling resistance might be slightly higher than some more fuel-efficient highway tires, potentially impacting MPG.

6. Cost vs. Performance

• Price Point: For some buyers, the HT3 may feel slightly expensive for what it offers, especially compared to competitors that might deliver better wet traction or fuel efficiency at a similar price.

7. Wet Weather Limitations at Wear

• Reduced Traction as It Wears: While the HT3 starts with good wet-weather performance, some users have reported that its traction decreases noticeably as the tread wears down, especially on slick surfaces.

Is It the Right Tire for You?

If your driving mainly involves highways, urban areas, and occasional light-duty conditions, the HT3 is a solid choice. However, if you need better off-road capabilities, superior winter performance, or sharper handling, other tires may suit your needs better.