Best mud tyres for Defender

**isuzurover** · 11th October 2010, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by rick130

Just a quick heresay type comment from a miner I know.

He reckoned that the pit he works at (Bengalla) tested Big Horns, the new BFG MT and Cooper STT's and the Big Horns did the worst in terms of wear, chipping and shredding.
This did surprise me as I've run two sets of BFG MT's (old style) and now 762 Big Horns and mine have been fine so far.
They cop a caning on the roads around here, which are mainly shale which is usually hell on tyres, and the 762's seem to be about on par with the BFG's.

I wish more 255/85's were available, there are many more brands and tyres in that size available OS but the companies won't bring them in, too small to non existent market they reckon.

One interesting one is a Toyo MT with three ply sidewalls. It's also slightly taller than most 255/85's at 33.5" diameter. Toyo's are bit on the exxy side but have a fantastic reputation with tour operators for durability. Shame they won't bring that tyre in.

The bighorns are definitely softer and easier to damage than my MTRs. However, I just did the canning, gibb, karragini and a whole bunch of stuff in between, with no problems on the Bighorns. Only one puncture (staked tyre) in our party - a hilux - running a Toyo.

scott oz · 8th February 2011, 09:17 PM

OK read the thread as I have the opertuinity to buy 4 BFG tyres which have never hit the road for $200 each. They are 265 70 R16 would these fit standard steel disco rims on a 2001 110

**justinc** · 8th February 2011, 09:23 PM

Too small diameter. You will really need 265/75/16's.(31.5")

JC

**discostu** · 9th February 2011, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by MacFamily

I wont say these are the best but its what Iam running at the moment and from the different types of terrain including alot of mud they have performed really well

Federal Couragia M/T Federal Tyres Australia - Couragia M/T you will also find this tyre in there 4wd action tyre test.Ive got 285/75 16 on our defender with sunny rims 16x8 with zero offset and they only just just stick out past the flares.I have noticed a little rubbing on front radius arms but thats it, I put 130 springs in the front when I got the old girl and have no winch so have not sagged so plenty of clearence.With the zero offset do not rub on rear springs/mount.But may have to do something about the flares as the car gets sprayed with mud when out playing and cannot see out passenger windows

There a little noisey now on the highway but all M/T are, so far they have worn well only 8k old but have/will rotate every 5k when I do a service including spare.But I will be happy if i get 50k out of the set

,but for $250 a tyre who cares.

Maxxis also do a couple of good M/T, I had bighorns on my old cruiser and they were great in the mud also great value.
Heres a pic of how far they stick out

I would just like to offer my own experience with the Federal M/T. I had 5 on my D2 with approx 20K's on them (rotated & balanced every 5K)when I set off for the Simpson, destroyed 2 before Camerons Corner then detroyed another 2 between there and Innamincka. All pressures were good, they developed splits down the sidewalls on nearly every side bitter eventually failing. As you can imagine this put a a dampener on the trip changing tyres with levers in the bush. On return I spoke with Reps about warranty and they wanted the tyres back for proof, ha pretty funny, had enough stuff in the car let alone bringing back 5 stuffed tyres, longer story short the mouldings have been changed to "rectify" this issue(reps words)but I'm not going to find out the hard way. so no more Federals for me! JMHO
Stu

**T1ASLAV** · 9th February 2011, 06:30 PM

I also read the 4WD Action comparo and decided to go for the Maxxis Bighorns, mainly due to the price I could pick them up for here in Canberra.
I have found them to be excellent off road in all conditions through the last winter here and suprisingly good on the road compared to the BFG ATR's that I replaced them with.
My 2 cents worth.........

**Drew90** · 10th February 2011, 07:41 AM

Anyone seen the Yokohama geolander MT's ?

They looks Schweet

**KarlB** · 10th February 2011, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by Drew90

Anyone seen the Yokohama geolander MT's ?

They looks Schweet

They do look good but they don't seem to have been rated highly in comparisons to quite a few other MTs. See Overlander 4WD :: View topic - 4WD Monthly Mud Terrain comparo.....Results for some discussion. I have Geolander ATs on my Disco and I have been very happy with them but they are a very differnet beast to the MTs.

Cheers
KarlB

**Drew90** · 10th February 2011, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by KarlB

They do look good but they don't seem to have been rated highly in comparisons to quite a few other MTs. See Overlander 4WD :: View topic - 4WD Monthly Mud Terrain comparo.....Results for some discussion. I have Geolander ATs on my Disco and I have been very happy with them but they are a very differnet beast to the MTs.

Cheers
KarlB

yeah I'd have to say the Geolander AT's are one of the best all round tyre on the market. Amazing grip and surefoot on the road, some great tread and even a little bit of side wall tread as well. When I put a set on my old SR5 is was like driving a different car. One that didn't spit me straight through a corner. Pfffff... Bridgestone.

**Drew90** · 10th February 2011, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by KarlB

They do look good but they don't seem to have been rated highly in comparisons to quite a few other MTs. See Overlander 4WD :: View topic - 4WD Monthly Mud Terrain comparo.....Results for some discussion. I have Geolander ATs on my Disco and I have been very happy with them but they are a very differnet beast to the MTs.

Cheers
KarlB

The problem I have with these Tests are; who is doing them, who do they work for or are sponsored by or what tyres do they use on their vehicle etc. etc. etc.

All I know is that, I've had Yokohama's on both a car and a 4wd and the brand is one of the best in the market. I haven't tried all brands but I guess you can't go passed BFGoodrich. Not sure i'd buy them but that will depend on when I get my wallet out. I'd like to go with Mickey Thomson as they have always been recommended to me buy a competitive 4wdriver. But again, who is sponsoring them etc etc etc. Money talks, it's hard to get an honest answer these days.

**KarlB** · 10th February 2011, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by Drew90

The problem I have with these Tests are; who is doing them, who do they work for or are sponsored by or what tyres do they use on their vehicle etc. etc. etc.

All I know is that, I've had Yokohama's on both a car and a 4wd and the brand is one of the best in the market. I haven't tried all brands but I guess you can't go passed BFGoodrich. Not sure i'd buy them but that will depend on when I get my wallet out. I'd like to go with Mickey Thomson as they have always been recommended to me buy a competitive 4wdriver. But again, who is sponsoring them etc etc etc. Money talks, it's hard to get an honest answer these days.

I agree Drew and that is why I mentioned my Geolander ATs. I am getting really good wear and for the sort of driving I have done in it they have been fine. No heavy mud though. I must say that 4WD Action seems to me to be far more prepared to give things a bad rating if they deserve it than other mags. Though they are no different to others in trying to find good things to say rather than bad. But maybe that should be a lesson for all of us. The 4WD-A test is worth having a read of though if you can get hold of a copy. They seamed reasonably thorough, but the emphasis was on deep mud performance, but not solely. Things like wear, puncture resistance, side wall strength, available of replacements, dry and wet road manners, breaking performance, etc. are all important.

I expect I will get close to 80k km out of the Geolander ATs, and that seems a good average performance. I got 120k km out of the original Michelins though! On the D90, I have the original General Grabbers and they will stay until they wear out. I will probably replace them with Goodyear Wrangler MT/R Kevlars. A more 'aggressive' tread pattern than the Grabbers but still a compromise compared to the tyres the mud bunnies are keen on. I am planning to stick with 235/85s. Happy with that size for the sort of driving I do.

Cheers
KarlB

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