Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi all, I need to get a new set of tyres before I go away to the Flinders Ranges, Birdsville and Corner Country in July. I currently run 31x10.5 Cooper STT's, and have previously used two sets of ST's of the same size. My STT's haven't lasted me much more than 50,000km which isn't that good in my opinion (considering I got over 100k with my ST's). I have been doing alot of research about Coopers (not that I really need to coz I own them!) and Yokohama Geolander AT-S. Basically my car gets used every day to drive me across Melbourne to and from work. I love 4WDing but really only get to go out every few months and I love outback touring, but usually only go once a year for a week or two. I have decided that the STT is too aggressive for my needs and I reckon the Cooper ATR may be just a little bit 'tame' for my needs (although I like them). I was looking around the other day at a Cooper dealer and the guy showed me the Yokohama Geolander AT-S, and I think I liked what I saw (nice tread patter). In my opinion the Yoko AT-S is more aggressive than the Cooper ATR but not as aggressive as the ST, which may be just what I need?? The problem is that I know nothing about these tyres and wondered what you guys think about them (good and bad)? I have heard that their construction is pretty solid and their sidewalls are good too? Would anybody here have any issues with taking their family to the Outback, the Vic High Country or Cape York with these tyres? One of the major factors that caught my attention was the price! I can get them for $189 each, but the Cooper ST's are $250 each- that's a whole $55 cheaper to buy 5 Yoko tyres than it is to buy 4 Cooper ST's! Do people here think that I should stick to the Cooper tyres like I have in the past or give the other AT-S tyres a go? I'd love to hear as much feedback as possible. BTW I also considered Good Year Silent Armor, Bridgestone and Silverstone tyres but counted them out for various reasons.

Thanks- Sam

PS: I did search for these topics in many different forums. I read heaps about problems people were having with Coopers chipping, but couldn't find much info on the Yokohama Geolander AT-S

I was very happy with my old Yokohama AT-11's, good on road (wet and dry) great on sand (bag out well) they did get a few stones stay in the tread blocks on gravel roads but that is normal for an AT tyre.

Have a look at the Mickey T FC-11 as well

Any bad things to know about the Yokohama Geolander AT-S? As much as I am a fan of Cooper tyres, it seems as though the yoko's have more positive feedback than negative...

I'm a bit of a Cooper fan too, having had S/Ts in 31", and currently have STTs in 33". I have experienced similar wear - the S/Ts were heading for well beyond 80k km, but the STTs won't see much past 50k km.

The difference in wear is due to the compound. The STTs use the same compound as the S/T-C, which is (supposedly) more cut and chip resistant, but faster wearing on bitumen. If it helps, when I was at Mt Dare (western end of the Simpson crossing) all the vehicles there were wearing S/T-Cs & STTs, and one of the staff said nothing else lasted as well on the roads out there - which were rough.

Other tyres: I've heard too many reports about AT/Rs having poor grip on wet bitumen, so I wouldn't trust them.

When I was out at Innamincka I noticed the mechanic stocked LOTS of Toyo OPATs. Some of the roads out there are also quite rough, and I doubt he'd stock something which wouldn't last, so I reckon they'd be something worth considering.

Well, thanks for you advice. I don't doubt Cooper tyres at all (I have owned 3 sets), but due to limited finances ($189 Geo AT-S vs $245 ST) I am going to try something new- the Yokohama Geolander AT-S. They're being fitted tomorrow. I know i'm taking a risk trying a tyre that I don't know that much about, but it may just pay off. I will let you know how my 4WDing goes on the weekend, and how my 2 week trip (to Birdsville and back) goes in July, whether it's good or bad!