18 Inch LT's vs Load Rated

[Choppers]

HI, First time poster. Looking for advice on tyres for a 2.7L TDV6 D4. I am planning on touring Oz towing a approx. 3.2t van (family with kids) for about 12 months. Reality will be that 90% of the trip will be onroad, but inevitably be some offroad (mainly corrugated tracks). I am torn between the 17inch vs 18inch debate, but feel that 18's will be ok.
However, if I stick with 18's, can someone please explain why I should go for LT tyres over a normal tyre that has exactly the same load rating? Limited LT choice in 18's (BFG, B'Stone)

[Graeme]

As a general rule a light truck-rated tyre has a stronger carcase than a passenger-rated tyre, particularly useful anywhere sharp rocks are encountered. They often are rated for a higher load so have more safety margin in harsh conditions even though the p-rated tyre may carry your load on good surfaces.

[Choppers]

Thanks Graeme. So taking a real example for265/60/18's, Bridgestone D697's LT's are rated 114, which is the same as the Hankook ATM's (non LT). There is a massive price diff (~$400 vs $250 per tyre). So in this case the LT's will be a better performer in harsher conditions. Alternative is to go to 17's (although I have to buy the wheels) giving much more choice, lower prices and much higher ratings. My mental debate continues. I haven't done the big lap before, and am worried of overkill. Eg I could get 6 of the non LT tyres (having 2 spares), and just take it easier on the harsher conditions vs having only 4 of the LT's for a similar price.

[scarry]

Or you could wait for the BFG KO2 in 265/60/18.
These will be 119 load rated, LT.

That is if you can wait until the end of the year for them,and i bet they won't be cheap.
But then again if you don't want issues…...

[Drizzle]

I am torn between the 17inch vs 18inch debate, but feel that 18's will be ok. Limited LT choice in 18's (BFG, B'Stone)


I think you've answered your own question. Your options in 18" tyres is limited. 19" even worse.

If you plan on keeping the vehicle long term, go the 17" wheels now. 17" tyres are significantly cheaper and the cost of changing the rims will be recovered quickly.

Vastly better availability and choice in the 17" sizes. LT and mud tyres even more so, particularly in outback Australia if you are touring.

[Choppers]

Thanks all for the feedback. If you are running 17's, what wheels have you found? The Performance BB06 (mentioned in other threads) aren't being produced any longer and only a limited supply left so they are not an option. Struggling to find a suitable set.

[scarry]

How long before you leave?

OEM 17's often appear on Ebay,even on here at times.

The 265/60/18 size is pretty common,many Jap vehicles run that size.
That is if you want to stay on 18's.

But as others have said,big range of types and sizes for 17's.
And they are cheaper than 18's,and may last longer.

[Tombie]

If you have seen the photo here of the D697 carcass profile cut you would never consider anything else.

So much more rubber and strength in the design..

If Baz and I can't wreck them, no one should have a problem!!!!

[Tombie]

I think you've answered your own question. Your options in 18" tyres is limited. 19" even worse.

If you plan on keeping the vehicle long term, go the 17" wheels now. 17" tyres are significantly cheaper and the cost of changing the rims will be recovered quickly.

Vastly better availability and choice in the 17" sizes. LT and mud tyres even more so, particularly in outback Australia if you are touring.


Price difference to an 18" LT is all of about $25.00 a tyre now.

And I'd much rather see 265s than 245s under the rig..

[Choppers]

I do like the D697's...seem to be a good compromise AT tyre. I run Yoko Geolanders at the moment which have been great but want to go an LT tyre for the trip.

[Tombie]

You will generally find that on rough gibber type surfaces American made tyres always suffer more chipping and damage than Japanese made tyres..

[RobA]

The issue of availability and choice around 18" tyres for us is well and truly over in my view. The new utes coming on to the market all have that size as an option or standard depending on level of car. So that means the tyre makers will and already have started getting stock designed and/or available in Australia and plenty of choice all the way to the General Grabbers etc.

As our GOE rims arrived yesterday we will be fitting Bridgestone 697's as I can't get a better tyre for the price and having uses their tyres for the last 15 years on various 4WD have no issue with their performance. What I found interesting is when I spoke to my supplier about availability he said "not a problem we get a lot of utes coming in for a plus one rim and tyre upgrade and the 697 is all they use

Rob

[Tombie]

Absolutely Rob.
My local store keeps 3 complete sets of D697s in stock now.

[Tombie]

I've got 2 complete sets - one on the factory alloys and one on the new set...
95094

95095

[Graeme]

The issue of availability and choice around 18" tyres for us is well and truly over in my view. Mine too and if they'd been available 5+ years ago I wouldn't have gone to 17".

[BMKal]

I've got 2 complete sets - one on the factory alloys and one on the new set...
95094

95095

OK - what rims are they ???? :o

[scarry]

Mine too and if they'd been available 5+ years ago I wouldn't have gone to 17".

My thoughts as well,particularly with other brands (in LT) appearing in the near future as well.

[LRD414]

OK - what rims are they ????


x2 .... not seen them before.

[Tombie]

Rims are currently being trialled as a fit for those with bigger brakes....

Hopefully have something for market in the coming months.

[theins]

I think you need to consider what you want to do during your travels and how you are travelling...

We spend three months on the road last year, probably 80% on bitumen, the remainder on dirt roads and tracks, from rocky to sandy...

I wanted to keep the original tyre size and was therefore somewhat limited with my options. I ended up with General Grabbers in 18. They are not LT, but did not miss a beat on our tour (with a camper trailer).

I don't quite see the point of spending the money on the 17 rims for my requirements.

Cheers

[l00kin4]

Rims are currently being trialled as a fit for those with bigger brakes....

Hopefully have something for market in the coming months.

Hi Tombie,

Very excited about this possibility - good on you. I recognise those wheels. Can I ask how much modification looks to be required to provide clearance for the brakes?

A few months you say?? Really interested in the process and progress..

David

[Tombie]

Hi Tombie,

Very excited about this possibility - good on you. I recognise those wheels. Can I ask how much modification looks to be required to provide clearance for the brakes?

A few months you say?? Really interested in the process and progress..

David


I'm working with them, it's a matter of volume to justify the changes to the tooling.

It's not a substantial change, and the rim from the outside will look exactly the same as it does now.

We are building the test jig at the moment...

Only challenge is if they can be modified sufficiently to clear a 4.4 rangie brake calliper- I suspect this may push the limits... But will test...

[scarry]

Lots of chips and a large screw as well

A good example of BFG KO, high speed k's on rocky roads.

Time will tell,but they say the chipping issue is sorted in the KO2.


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/08/258.jpg (http://picturepush.com/public/14792774)



You will generally find that on rough gibber type surfaces American made tyres always suffer more chipping and damage than Japanese made tyres..