one skinner tyre, as a touring spare

[fatcat]

Hi Guys,

i have had a spare wheel bracket put on the bonnet and wanting to run a much skinner tyre, a old army style one, so i can see over it better.

The the rest of the Defender tyres are pretty much stock, light mud


Would the skinny tyre be no good in the Simpson sand compered to the other wider tyres.




Landybitz has these tyres.

Goodyear HI Miler Tyres AS Fitted TO Army Land Rovers | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Goodyear-Hi-Miler-Tyres-fitted-Army-Land-Rovers-/321839067870?hash=item4aef1a72de)

Goodyear Hi-Miler X-Grip Tyre 7.50-16LT 8TD

[weeds]

There ain't a lot of difference between the two...........I have had both a 235 and 7.50, bugger all in it.

I assume your defer is running 235's ??

Personally I would just run the same tyre as the rest on the bonnet.

Re: which is better in sand, it's more the rolling diameter not the width along with correct tyre pressures.

[Blknight.aus]

hi milers in sand...

see how the tread patterns kind of look like shovels.

shovels tend to dig in sand,


just sayin'

[furianer]

The setup i used on my SIII some moons ago was quite simple and kind to the bonnet hinges and bulkhead.

We had a spare tire, not mounted on a rim, sitting on the bonnet, filled the inside of it with straps and other bits kit. Made a 16 inch Aluminum Platte couple of holes so the platte could be bolted to the spare wheel carrier on the bonnet, squashing the tire in the process.

Did work for me, we carry only one complete spare wheel, plus 2 tires, saves some weight, mounting them is never much of a issue.

[weeds]

hi milers in sand...



see how the tread patterns kind of look like shovels.



shovels tend to dig in sand,





just sayin'


In saying that 50% of cars crossing the Simpson have mud tyres fitted........

I ran AT's for my crossing.........but would happily run MT's

[weeds]

The setup i used on my SIII some moons ago was quite simple and kind to the bonnet hinges and bulkhead.



We had a spare tire, not mounted on a rim, sitting on the bonnet, filled the inside of it with straps and other bits kit. Made a 16 inch Aluminum Platte couple of holes so the platte could be bolted to the spare wheel carrier on the bonnet, squashing the tire in the process.



Did work for me, we carry only one complete spare wheel, plus 2 tires, saves some weight, mounting them is never much of a issue.


Most people are not keen on the effort required to pull a tyre off a rim.......

I always suggest to those considering this to have a go in the front yard........that will make their mind up

Me, I have changed many a tyre by hand (that's because my employer insisted on it)...........I more than happy to have the second spare fitted to a rim and leave it to the next garage

In saying that I do carry tyre levers and a rubber mallet just in case.

[simmo]

I have my old original Michelin 750 -16 s on the original rims, with legal tread.
those tyres are indestructible, ( lets not discuss wet butumin performance ).
I think they have 3 steel belts in the side walls, I have run them at low pressure in the sand no problems.

you could borow one to try out or even for the trip if you wanted. you just need to confirm they are close to the same rolling diamneter as your tyres, (send PM); cheers simmo

[MrLandy]

That's very generous of you Simmo.

235/85 R16's can be just about as tough as 7.50 R16 Michelin XZL's, if you get the right ones. Rolling diameter is v similar and they're not much wider.

I only use Bridgestone AT 661's in 235/85 R16. They are 10 ply rating and have near vertical sidewalls. Very tough and also make a good long footprint at lower pressures for sand, which is what you want (think caterpillar tracks) rather than width (bulldozer). A very under-rated tyre, except by mining companies who use them all over. I've used them for 20 years in northern Australia. They are excellent on road too.

[lebanon]

I have similar pattern made by Kelly, they are undestructible but the drawback is an awful rumbling sound when driving.

I think that the pattern is outdated compared to modern ones.

I kept mine to be used on the trailer.

[MrLandy]

Bridgestone 661's are dead quiet on road IME.