Advice on tyres for Defender 110

[wendyv]

I know the subject of tyres is probably done to death, but I do need some specific advice. The '96 Defender is run around town, and on trips usually towing a van (a bit under 2 tonne). Can't see us doing any extreme tracks these days, but will certainly be on gravel roads and maybe on stuff like Cape bypass roads, Gibb River Rd - that sort of standard.
We have been running Dunlop Road Gripper F AT tyres (265/75 16) on truck and van, and have been happy with these. Have had several sets. Before going to these, we had replaced the original Michelins with a set of Olympic somethings - which seemed best for our purposes after I did a lot of research in 4WD magazines. They were horrible on the bitumen with both truck and van being sucked sideways easily by passing traffic, so we soon changed them. That experience has made me fairly uncertain about the right type of tyre tread for us, and a bit afraid of trying something else.
Now, it is getting harder to get the Road Grippers (and more costly) and the driver is wondering if we should try a different tyre.
Advice will be very gratefully received.

[JamesH]

Are you on the original 5 1/2" steel rims? That limits your choice as a lot of the 235/85/16s require 6" rim minimum.

Anyway to answer your question and assuming like me you have the old rims, I've been using using Bridgestone 604v Desert Duelers (7.50R16 LT) and they did well up in the Kimberley tracks, including the dreaded (before grading) Mitchell Falls road. They used to be made in Australia but no longer. Have not had a set of the imported ones but I'll give them ago when the time comes.

[Michael2]

Hi Wendy, I've put 235/85 Maxxis 751's on my 110 and have found them to wear well, and be very grippy and stable, both on the road and over corrugated dirt. The Maxxis are at the lower end of the price range. At the time I got them, I wanted Michelins - but at half the price of the Michelins, I thought I'd give them a go and have been very pleased with them. They've now done just over 42,000km and they still have 8-9mm of tread debth, with no deterioration in handling over time. I don't do a lot of towing, but I have not had any wayward behaviour from them whilst towing.

[wendyv]

Yes, we are still on the original steel rims.

[slug_burner]

Any 750x16 in an AT pattern with an LT construction will do you for your needs. I had used the Michelins until they stopped making the tyre the defender originally came with, I am now of Dunlop road grippers which must be a bit hard as they squeal as I go around roundabouts. Did a trip up to the Kimberley, Gibb River Road etc and the Road Grippers survived without a single puncture.

[big guy]

It sounds like you need a bog standard AT in LT construction.

I had fantastic run out of Coopers ATR's and so have many of my mates.
Scorpion are also getting a good rep and so are BFG M2's.