Thread: It finally had to happen....

Originally Posted by spudfan

I'm going on the premise that tubed tyres are better for remote areas but I'm open to being educated on this if anyone cares to elucidate.

I've got a 200Tdi 110 as well and am actually going to be switching to tubeless steelies (from the stock tubed R16x5.5j). My reasoning is as follows:
- From accounts on here most people find tubeless tyres get fewer flats, a few reasons are: stickers left on the insides of tyres by careless shops abrade the tube (stupid error), when aired down sand can enter between the tyre and rim under cornering loads and will abrade the tube, etc.
- Convenience: to repair a tubeless you find the leak (and if small enough) plug it (temporary). On a tubed tyre you have to take it off and patch and then remount. However, for a proper permanent fix you need to take the tyre off and repair from the inside, so the advantage of tubeless is reduced
- I don't go out to properly remote areas
- I'm more familiar with tubeless.

Prevention is better than a cure, and getting less punctures and easier repairs (when possible) put tubeless ahead for me.

Where the argument gets really heated is split-rim vs tubeless. Tubed but not split rim is (in my opinion) the worst of the three options. Have a read of this for a detailed and experienced opinion.
Beadell Tours - Tubeless vs Split Rims - Safety & Tyre Repair issues by Mick Hutton

Edit: Forgot to mention that you can run tubes in tubeless rims and (compatible) tyres if they won't hold air anymore, giving you the best of both worlds

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Thanks for that. I don't know anything about the Continentals, so I was curious.
Do you think the Continentals are similar to BFG ATs?

I'm afraid that I cannot make a comparison as I have never used the BFG A/T. However looking at photographs the thread on the Continentals seems to be more open than the BFG. I don't want to go further as it would be only speculation as to the pros and cons of each and how they compare in actual usage. The BFG seems to have a thread similar to the General Grabber A/T2.

Originally Posted by spudfan

P.S. On the 200 tdi 110, I had steel wheels fitted with 7.50x16 General SAG tubed radials. I was very pleased with this set up. If I had steel wheels on the Pumas I'd go for the tubed SAG radials again. Always thought that if I went overlanding like you lot, that's what I'd use. I'm going on the premise that tubed tyres are better for remote areas but I'm open to being educated on this if anyone cares to elucidate.

I run the GG TR's on the alloys for general road use and have found them excellent. I had another set on steel rims for trips, but as said earlier they do stake quite easily.

I now run a set of BFG Muds on the steel rims and when aired down I have found them to be very good in the sand. All my tyres are run tubeless for ease of fixing in the bush and we have done some pretty remote stuff over the last few years and no flats on our last trip.

Originally Posted by spudfan

I'm afraid that I cannot make a comparison as I have never used the BFG A/T. However looking at photographs the thread on the Continentals seems to be more open than the BFG. I don't want to go further as it would be only speculation as to the pros and cons of each and how they compare in actual usage. The BFG seems to have a thread similar to the General Grabber A/T2.

BFG ATs have three-ply sidewalls, as do several Coopers, but I don't know about the Continentals or GGs.