Thread: Who has 285 tyres on there Defender?

Originally Posted by Col.Coleman

Settle down guys we are comparing apples and oranges here.
That's why I drive a Defender. They got it pretty much right first up. Landrover have alot more money to test things than I do and the defenders still come out with skinnies on them. Good enough for me.

I Know you say Defender, but also talk about LR R&D.

They put 900*16 on FC. did they not?

? are 900*16 close to 285?

I run 235-85*16 on my Disco.

Originally Posted by CraigE

Speaking to WA RTA a while back if you go over the margin allowed (-25mm +15mm I think) on the placard affixed to your vehicle you can be booked and an unroadworthy sticker placed on your car and depending on the copper can be a red one (here in WA) if they want as the vehicle is deemed to be unsafe to drive.
The standards have absolutely nothing to do with a particular vehicle. It is a guide for manufacturers and once the manufacturers recomendations are placed on a vehicle these must be abided by without an engineering exemption.
There are some real grey areas in this issue. Technically you can be booked for anything other than manufacturers reccomendations.
It would be rare to get booked for having slightly larger tyres on a 4x4, however I have seen it done and a canary placed on the car.
I know with Holden Commodores / Statesmans depending on what year you buy say 1995-2006 the placards vary. Earlier models only list 16" wheels and tyres while later models list 16-17" or 16, 17, 18". Now they are all very similar, but try buying a set of new mags in 16" to suit a late model Holden. Generally all you can get is 17-18". I know as we have been looking.

WA regs are some of the strictest in OZ on tyres (AND they are contradictory...):

Alternative road wheels

Alternative road wheels are permitted under the following conditions :

1. Rim width must not exceed the maximum rim width specified by the manufacturer by more than 25mm (1") (for passenger vehicles manufactured after 1st January 1973, the manufacturers rim width shall be taken as that specified on the tyre placard).

In any event, rim width shall not exceed 177.8 mm (7") unless specified by the manufacturer as standard equipment for the vehicle in question. No increase in rim width is permitted for vehicles fitted with original equipment rims in excess of 177.8 mm (7") width.

2. The wheel is contained completely within the body work of the vehicle which includes acceptable flares.

3. The wheel does not foul any part of the body or suspension under all conditions of travel

4. The vehicle handling is not impaired in any way.

5. The tyre to rim fitment must be in accordance with the Tyre and Rim Association Manual.

6. Rim diameters must be the same as specified by the manufacturer.

7. The wheel must be one designed for use with the vehicle with respect to bolt pitch circle and wheel nut tapers

8. The track must not be increased by more than 25mm (1") over the maximum specified by the manufacturer.etc.



9. All wheels must be the same size, profile and bolt pattern.

10. Vehicles required to comply with Australian Design Rule 24, "Tyre & Rim Selection" must continue to comply with this Design Rule (contact the Department of Transport and Regional Services for more details).

11. The fitment of so called "plus one" and "plus two" and tyres is acceptable providing :

* the overall diameter of the large rims fitted with the lower profile tyres do not exceed the overall diameter

* all tyres and rims fitted to the vehicle are of the same size and profile

* with the exemption of item (f), the tyres and rims are in conformity with the requirements specified above in items (a) to (j).

12. Reducing the wheel track less than the original manufacturers specification is not permitted, as this may reduce vehicle stability.

Note that 6. says you cannot fit larger diameter rims, while 11. says you can - provided overall wheel diameter is the same...

i have 33" on 12.5 15" no rubbing rides well, doint deflate for sand run them at 25psi all the time. also a saet of 32" 11.5 no problem there eather. no handling problems. she rides realy well at 110 - 120 Klm. well untill the next hill

Originally Posted by Treads

I've just read through this entire thread and I can't find a definitive answer on whether 285/75's touch any suspension components or bodywork, when fitted on disco steel rims, on a standard height Defender. Anyone able to answer that?

We are looking for new M/T's for Tulips Defender wagon and are weighing up the options for either 255/85's or 285/75's. She wants wider, taller tyres than the 235/85's that are on it now. It appears however that 255's are only imported by Poopers and BFG, and as such prices are quite high in comparison to 285's

and Maxxis.
There must be a bazillion threads on here now discussing the Big Horn 762 in 255/85.

Originally Posted by hook

I Know you say Defender, but also talk about LR R&D.

They put 900*16 on FC. did they not?

? are 900*16 close to 285?

Which doesnt really relate to any other LR ever made so not sure what your point is? The RRS probably runs a 285 or bigger on the 20" rims... doesnt mean it would be any use off road.

LR will supply 255/85r16's directly from special vehicles in the UK. The electricity companies and so on use them on all their 110/130's

Originally Posted by Col.Coleman

What's all the hoo ha about wide tyres? They make your car drive like crap, aquaplane and swerve when you hit puddles, you rip the sidewalls out on ruts and rocks and generally look naff. I'll take my skinnies any day. As the pressure drops they elongate rather than widen giving a better footprint, you wide guys make wide ruts so my sidewalls don't suffer and in anything other than sink hole slop actually dig down to the hard stuff underneath instead of floating all while slinging less crap all over my pride and joy. More mud means more weight. Case in point is have a look at pro mud racers or mud rally tyres. sorry guys but they are large diameter and skinny. Widies are for street cars and poofters in landcruisers. Ooops did I say something wrong?

Absolutely right, If you have a look at any competition the defender or disco is competing in, you will see 285/16 Bizarre but they work.
eg: camel trophy ran for 20 years on these tires