Thread: Disco II tire suggestions

Originally Posted by TerryO

Sorry Gus but not sure that one can truly measure how good a 4x4 tyre is when it is on the off road trailer rather than the tow vehicle.

cheers,
Terry

Actually Terry, I beg to differ. I saw a number of trailers on our trip around with chipped out tyres due to the fact that the 4wd's tyres throw rocks at them at high speed. Particularly defenders as the mudflaps are so far from the tyres. The maxxis did not chip at all in that environement.

Since then they have been on my disco for 20,000kms including a number of trips into the high country and local 4wd trips. The only time I have wished for a grippier tyre was yesterday on red clay towing a tonne of firewood out of the local state park. Thats once in 20k. So I do rate them as a 4wd tyre. Better than a BF Goodrich all terrain because they hum less and better than a cooper st because they dont chip.

Edit- and I think 235-85 is a far better size because they dont rub anywhere unlike 265's

This may help ...

Here's some pix of my Pirelli ATR's. 235x70x16. They've travelled around 30000kms. Mostly sealed roads ... but have made the trip from Sydney to Lake Eyre and back with no punctures on some really crappy roads.

These are my General Grabber AT2 255/65/R16 in 8" wide rims (the wider option D2 wheel) after 50k. They are a good all round tyre. I have used them 95% on road, but when off road they have always done the job, dust, rock, slippery mud but not deep mud as expected. I rotate them all including the spare every 6000klm

I'll 2nd the maxxis 751 235/85's
Had a set on for about 40000 and they are wearing well. Great on the road, sand and rocky stuff. Never had them in mud so can't comment there.
I would happily fit them again.

Dylan

Originally Posted by gusthedog

Actually Terry, I beg to differ. I saw a number of trailers on our trip around with chipped out tyres due to the fact that the 4wd's tyres throw rocks at them at high speed. Particularly defenders as the mudflaps are so far from the tyres. The maxxis did not chip at all in that environement.

Edit- and I think 235-85 is a far better size because they dont rub anywhere unlike 265's

Hi Gus,

I wasn't actually commenting on the Maxxis as I believe them to be a very good tyre from what I have read, rather your comments on trying to gauge how good a 4x4 tyre is from being used on a trailer rather than the tug.

Sure stones may get flicked at tralier tyres but the stresses and strains put on driving and steering tyres are far different to those of a free wheeling tyre on a trailer carrying often far lesser loads as well. It makes little difference how a trailer tyre works in mud or a slippery wet road or under braking going down a steep hill, but it sure does to the 4x4.

I considered getting 235/85/16's for the D2 but at the time there was a sale on the 265/60/16's so it was a no brainer. Plus a a tall skinny tyre tends quite often not to handle as well on road as a much wider similar height tyre, so that is also a consideration.

Re rubbing I have never had the 265/70's touch or scrape once and before I bought them I did a search on here and there was plenty of reports on that size not touching, so either size seams to work fine on a D2 it just comes down to driver prefference it would seam.

*My apologies I should have said 265/70/16's in this and the previous threads not 265/60/16's. I was getting confused with the larger than standard tyres I have on the D3. ...must be an age thing!

cheers,
Terry

I agree with Terry in regards to comparing the tyres on a trailer to the tyres on the tow vehicle.

Also just because the tyre size says 265, doesn't mean it is 265 wide, as an example my 255/60/18s are wider than my 265/70/17s on the D4.

265/75/16s will rub on a D2 regardless of the lift, they rub on the radius arm at full lock, 265/70/16 apparently don't.

I have had both 265/75/16 and 235/85/16 on my old 4" lifted D2 the 265s rubbed the 235s didn't, the 265s were better on road for handling.

If you can inter-change your tyres from the car to the camper, it is a better option to use the same tyre and rolling diameter, that would be the only reason for a good tough 4X4 tyre on a camper.

Just my 2 cents

Baz.

Originally Posted by TerryO

Hi Gus,

I wasn't actually commenting on the Maxxis as I believe them to be a very good tyre from what I have read, rather your comments on trying to gauge how good a 4x4 tyre is from being used on a trailer rather than the tug.

Sure stones may get flicked at tralier tyres but the stresses and strains put on driving and steering tyres are far different to those of a free wheeling tyre on a trailer carrying often far lesser loads as well. It makes little difference how a trailer tyre works in mud or a slippery wet road or under braking going down a steep hill, but it sure does to the 4x4.

I considered getting 235/85/16's for the D2 but at the time there was a sale on the 265/60/16's so it was a no brainer. Plus a a tall skinny tyre tends quite often not to handle as well on road as a much wider similar height tyre, so that is also a consideration.

Re rubbing I have never had the 265/70's touch or scrape once and before I bought them I did a search on here and there was plenty of reports on that size not touching, so either size seams to work fine on a D2 it just comes down to driver prefference it would seam.


cheers,
Terry

Terry,

Fair enough on your choice and each to their own. I just thought with all I threw at them, the maxxis on the trailer did well. They were actually carrying more load for the entire trip than either axle of the car so I think I can comment on their toughness.

In regards to grip off road, as I've said, I have used them for 20k now on the disco with a fair few trips off road so have a fair idea of what they are like in the bush.

When I mentioned 265's rubbing I was referring to the 265-75-16 rubbing, not the less common 265-70 (or less) which would not rub. I should have been more clear.

I went for the 235-85 because they dont rub AND they are available anywhere. I do a fair bit of outback travel and have seen 235-85's in nearly every remote garage or fuel stop. 265-75-16s are also as common as muck which is good for replacement outback in case you destroy a tyre. I think you would be hard pressed to find a tyre store outside a metro area, let alone in the bush that stock a 265 in a 70 or 60 profile.

I also find the skinny 235-85 good on road as I drive like a nanna - Its a landy after all and if I wanted to get there quick, I'd have bought a car.

I agree with Terry in regards to comparing the tyres on a trailer to the tyres on the tow vehicle.

Also just because the tyre size says 265, doesn't mean it is 265 wide, as an example my 255/60/18s are wider than my 265/70/17s on the D4.

265/75/16s will rub on a D2 regardless of the lift, they rub on the radius arm at full lock, 265/70/16 apparently don't.

I have had both 265/75/16 and 235/85/16 on my old 4" lifted D2 the 265s rubbed the 235s didn't, the 265s were better on road for handling.

If you can inter-change your tyres from the car to the camper, it is a better option to use the same tyre and rolling diameter, that would be the only reason for a good tough 4X4 tyre on a camper.

Just my 2 cents

Baz.

Baz,

I had the same tyre size on my defender when these maxxis tyres were on the camper so yes, they were interchangeable.

I cannot stress enough though that you need as good tyres on your camper as on your car. Fair enough that they do not have to be mud terrain because as you guys mention you are essentially dragging them through the terrain, but they need to have a good Light Truck construction. When you are cruising along the tanami or through the cape, you dont want to be worrying about the camper tyres. I met a heap of people that had cheap tyres on their campers and often saw people with cheap tyres stopped due to blow outs. I always changed my tyre pressure on the trailer and car depending on road conditions.

Just my 10 cents worth....

Hi Gus,

Thanks for that info its good to know what tyre sizes are common out in the middle of no where.

cheers,
Terry