19" Maxxis AT Tyres

[ShawnWang]

Hi guys

How's your Maxxis AT980 doing? Want to hear your story and update. What tyre pressure are you using when off road?

I bought a set At980 255/55R19 a month ago and I had about 2000km on them. when doing offroad trips, I reduce the tyre pressure to 25 psi. Unfortunately, last weekend, I had a sidewall cut/damage (left rear tyre) on a fairly easy rocky track. Feeling disappointment. Did I low the tyre pressure too much? Some threads recommended >32psi. What do you think?

Thank you.

Shawn

[Odysseyman]

Hi guys

How's your Maxxis AT980 doing? Want to hear your story and update. What tyre pressure are you using when off road?

I bought a set At980 255/55R19 a month ago and I had about 2000km on them. when doing offroad trips, I reduce the tyre pressure to 25 psi. Unfortunately, last weekend, I had a sidewall cut/damage (left rear tyre) on a fairly easy rocky track. Feeling disappointment. Did I low the tyre pressure too much? Some threads recommended >32psi. What do you think?

Thank you.

Shawn

I think 25 psi is an appropriate pressure. I reckon you were just unlucky. Speed and vehicle positioning is always a factor. The lower the pressure the slower the speed, and with the capability of the Disco you don’t need to go too fast at anything.

David

[ShawnWang]

I think 25 psi is an appropriate pressure. I reckon you were just unlucky. Speed and vehicle positioning is always a factor. The lower the pressure the slower the speed, and with the capability of the Disco you don’t need to go too fast at anything.

David

I was in a convoy at speed of 30km to 45km. I think that corner bagged a bit more than other wheels with the same tyre pressure. There was a scratch on the sidewall as well besides the deep cut.

[DieselLSE]

>I think 25 psi is an appropriate pressure.
I'm not so sure about this. Note that I know nothing about Maxxis AT tyres. But, with regards to rocky tracks (e.g. Vic high country) in the old 750x16 bar tread days 25 to 28psi worked well. Radials tended to up that to around 32-36psi. But in the D4, even at 38psi (255/55 R19 Goodyear Wranglers), I was horrified at how the sidewalls bulged. Personally, unless it was very very wet, I would run F&R pressures well into the 30's virtually anywhere in the high country.
I also run a set of Kuhmo MT51 265x60R18 LT on Compo rims. I just spent 14 days hunting up in the high country and the pressures remained at 34psi front and 38psi rear the whole time. The secret is to drive as slowly as possible and pick your line. In nearly 50 years of serious off road driving (all Landrovers) I can only recall one occasion when I damaged a sidewall (it may have been already damaged but gave way at a most inopportune time!) and that was a 750x16 8 ply Olympic Steeltrek? Forget. Whatever the army used to use on their Series IIIs. Only other time was my own silly fault in the Rangie when I was too lazy to drive a bit further up the track at the farm to turn around and ventured into some thick fallen timber and staked a perfectly good AT tyre.
Don't get me wrong. I've replaced tyres that were clearly sidewall damaged as part of preventative maintenance and I've had my share of nails etc embedded in treads causing slow leaks. But my recommendation is to keep tyre pressures on the high side in rocky terrain, drive slowly and pick your line to allow the tyres to do their work without being shock loaded.

[DiscoJeffster]

This is the conundrum. Lowering the pressure is better for the track’s health by reducing ruts and corrugation creation, but runs the risk of damage on the 19”. All 19” are highly susceptible to sidewall damage on rocks as there just isn’t enough room to flex before the rim hits at lowered pressures. Unless you’re on soft sand I’d recommend you don’t lower substantially. If you knock 6-10psi out of road pressures you’ll likely survive. I tend to run around 36f and 42r when towing. If you took 10psi off that you’d probably be ok. Bear in mind that I’m talking cold pressures at the set point. They will increase at least 4psi preferably but up to 10 depending. I’d recommend tasking the pressure off the hot pressure not the cold too.

I have no perfect answers but having totalled two sidewalls now I’m getting bored of low pressures and 19”. To be fair though, one was an unidentified rock under water and the other was a rock in the track I didn’t see. At least one was avoidable.

[LRD414]

25psi is too low for 19” and in my experience not required except for soft sand.

Scott

[DiscoJeffster]

25psi is too low for 19” and in my experience not required except for soft sand.

Scott

Agree. Let’s not forget that we really need to differentiate between front and rear. There’s a reasonable gap front to rear at max pressures. You cannot use a blanket pressure across both ends.

[ShawnWang]

Thank you for your feedback, guys. Next trip, I will try 32psi front and 36 psi rear. Hope not to have problems on steep tracks.

[Hugh Jars]

I run 40psi in mine. When towing, 48 rear(2.5t camper).
I was up the Barringtons a couple of weeks ago and did some trail work (with sharp rocks), and it handled it very well.
If I ever do sand, I’ll try 25-30 and see how it goes.
These are great tyres IMO.

[DiscoJeffster]

So in the super soft of WA’s northern beaches I’m forever running at 15f 18r normal otherwise it gets stuck. On the super soft sand though it’s fine. Straight back up for harder tracks.
I’ve had to use 8psi once in a really bad bog situation. Didn’t come off the bead.

[Eric SDV6SE]

Hi guys

How's your Maxxis AT980 doing? Want to hear your story and update. What tyre pressure are you using when off road?

I bought a set At980 255/55R19 a month ago and I had about 2000km on them. when doing offroad trips, I reduce the tyre pressure to 25 psi. Unfortunately, last weekend, I had a sidewall cut/damage (left rear tyre) on a fairly easy rocky track. Feeling disappointment. Did I low the tyre pressure too much? Some threads recommended >32psi. What do you think?

Thank you.

Shawn

About 5000 clicks on my AT’s, unfortunately not too much off roading, but a long weekend down at Pemberton and the Yeagerup NP including the sand dunes all the way to the beach and country dirt tracks, plus recently lots of highway driving and they are performing well. Heaps of grip in the wet, confidence inspiring.

For the highway i run 46psi cold all round, I end up around 50psi hot. Negligible noise but that’s because of the tread blocks. Even wear all round and so far no scalloping. Car tracks beautifully (I’ve never had a wheel alignment done in the 5 years I’ve owned it.)

ive rotated all tyres once about 2000 kms in, including the spare, so now they’re all scrubbed in.

will rotate them again in about 5000kms.

on on the beach I ran 25-28 if I remember correctly no issues at all.

so far I’m very happy with them.

hope this helps

Eric

[Odysseyman]

I think one thing needs to be clarified here.
It is not that the rims/tyres are 19” that is the issue for anyone, it is the 55 profile of the tyres. If you were running 55 profile on 16”, 18” or 20” rims you’d still have the same issues. Yes, it’s a pity that there are no 60, 65 or 70 profile tyres for 19” rims, as that would incrementally solve our problem.
I still think that in general, lower speed (and pressure) is the answer in normal outback and single lane track travel. If it’s really gnarly then we’re exposed to sidewall cuts regardless. In LT (light truck) rated tyres, particularly All Terrain, and even more so with Mud Terrain tyres, the sidewalls are almost as tough as the tread.
The higher the pressure (harder the sidewall) the easier it is to cut. I do agree that with 55 aspect ratio tyres we do run the risk of rim damage but this doesn’t seem to be the problem people are reporting.

cheers
David

[ShawnWang]

About 5000 clicks on my AT’s, unfortunately not too much off roading, but a long weekend down at Pemberton and the Yeagerup NP including the sand dunes all the way to the beach and country dirt tracks, plus recently lots of highway driving and they are performing well. Heaps of grip in the wet, confidence inspiring.

For the highway i run 46psi cold all round, I end up around 50psi hot. Negligible noise but that’s because of the tread blocks. Even wear all round and so far no scalloping. Car tracks beautifully (I’ve never had a wheel alignment done in the 5 years I’ve owned it.)

ive rotated all tyres once about 2000 kms in, including the spare, so now they’re all scrubbed in.

will rotate them again in about 5000kms.

on on the beach I ran 25-28 if I remember correctly no issues at all.

so far I’m very happy with them.

hope this helps

Eric

I run 50psi on the highway when tyres are hot too. I was running about 35 psi according to the manual. However I did not feel right when driving on these Maxxis ATs.

One thing annoying me is that AT 980s are humming at 60km everyday. I can accept highway being noisy, but not city run.

You run 25 on beach, then I recon I should a bit higher on the rocky tracks.

Thank you, Mate.

[ShawnWang]

I think one thing needs to be clarified here.
It is not that the rims/tyres are 19” that is the issue for anyone, it is the 55 profile of the tyres. If you were running 55 profile on 16”, 18” or 20” rims you’d still have the same issues. Yes, it’s a pity that there are no 60, 65 or 70 profile tyres for 19” rims, as that would incrementally solve our problem.
I still think that in general, lower speed (and pressure) is the answer in normal outback and single lane track travel. If it’s really gnarly then we’re exposed to sidewall cuts regardless. In LT (light truck) rated tyres, particularly All Terrain, and even more so with Mud Terrain tyres, the sidewalls are almost as tough as the tread.
The higher the pressure (harder the sidewall) the easier it is to cut. I do agree that with 55 aspect ratio tyres we do run the risk of rim damage but this doesn’t seem to be the problem people are reporting.

cheers
David

You are absolutely right, Mate. The low profile is the problem. Unfortunately, I didn’t take a photo of the cut and it has been replaced. But from what I can see, the cut is on the bulged part of the sidewall for sure. Before the incident, I actually discussed with other Mates about how terrible those rear tyres were bulged on 25/30psi.

[Milton477]

3 of my maxxis have been on for 10k km & the 4th is new. Happy so far except for the fire hardened stick which destroyed a tyre in the Deepwater NP near Agnes Waters. See the pic where the hole is, a higher profile would have made no difference. Pressures were at 25psi because the sand was soft in places.

145905

[Graeme]

It is not that the rims/tyres are 19” that is the issue for anyone, it is the 55 profile of the tyres.Not quite correct, as the aspect applies to the section width. As an example, my 275/55R20 have sidewalls almost as tall as 255/60R18 and the reason why I use 20" on my L322 rather than 19". Perhaps more 255/60R19 (D5 size) will in time become available.

[ShawnWang]

Not quite correct, as the aspect applies to the section width. As an example, my 275/55R20 have sidewalls almost as tall as 255/60R18 and the reason why I use 20" on my L322 rather than 19". Perhaps more 255/60R19 (D5 size) will in time become available.

I do see D5 has advantages on rims and tires.

[Odysseyman]

Not quite correct, as the aspect applies to the section width. As an example, my 275/55R20 have sidewalls almost as tall as 255/60R18 and the reason why I use 20" on my L322 rather than 19". Perhaps more 255/60R19 (D5 size) will in time become available.

Hi Graeme,
Well, yes... I’m not sure I understand your point. The aspect ratio of 55 means the sidewall height is 55 percent of the section width.

By my calculation a 255/60 x19 tyre (if it was available) would have a sidewall height of around 153mm and your 275/55x20 will have a sidewall height of 151.25mm.
I reckon a 255/65x19 would be perfect at around 159mm, taller even than a 255/60x18.

I imagine that most guys running 18” rims would be using something bigger than a 255/60. I do know there is a statutory limit to the increase in tyre diameter. Maybe someone can tell us what the maximum increase is - I can’t remember...

At at the end of the day I reckon that most tyre failures, (of the good quality known brands) of light truck tyres a lot of us use, is just down to bad luck. There are way too many variables to point the finger at the tyres themselves.

As as an aside, there were General Grabbers on my previous Ford Ranger when I bought it. A couple of trips into the Vic High Country saw lots of chipping in the treads and I found them very slippery in the wet once around 3/4 worn. I swapped then for Cooper ST Maxx and never had a problem.

We’ve just had a weekend out east of Melbourne, through Warburton and Stockmans Reward and up Mt Terrible then down to Kevington. Not a mark on the Maxxis running 30 psi all round as an experiment.

Cheers
David

[DiscoJeffster]

All of my sidewalk damages have been a rock squishing the tread between the rock and the rim. You can hear the clear thud of the rim in the vehicle. This results in a cut in the sidewall. Now I attribute a lot of that to shallow sidewalls and low pressure in most cases. Would higher pressure have helped? Unsure. Maybe the rock would have sliced it before it got to compress to the rim at higher pressure? Dunno.
As has been said, bad luck and poor line is a heavy contributor.

[Grentarc]

I imagine that most guys running 18” rims would be using something bigger than a 255/60. I do know there is a statutory limit to the increase in tyre diameter. Maybe someone can tell us what the maximum increase is - I can’t remember...




I run 265/65R18 on my D4, and as it has the 6 speed box, it is not detrimental having the taller gearing associated with the larger diameter.
This gives me a 172mm sidewall height over the 140mm sidewall of the 255/55R19

The max legal diameter increase is 50mm, which equates to a 25mm taller sidewall (max lift heights before engineering are 25mm tyre and 50mm suspension) which means a max diameter of 814mm, which is a 31.9" tyre.

[Eric SDV6SE]

All of my sidewalk damages have been a rock squishing the tread between the rock and the rim. You can hear the clear thud of the rim in the vehicle. This results in a cut in the sidewall. Now I attribute a lot of that to shallow sidewalls and low pressure in most cases. Would higher pressure have helped? Unsure. Maybe the rock would have sliced it before it got to compress to the rim at higher pressure? Dunno.
As has been said, bad luck and poor line is a heavy contributor.

Only side wall damage I’ve had is in Karajini NP in northern WA, (the gravel is very sharp and hard edged)running highway pressures (my own stupid fault) but on non LT rated tyres. IMHO running LT rated tyres at higher pressures makes sense, deflecting stones rather than allowing them to gouge the rubber. Driving to conditions makes even more sense...

[Odysseyman]

Y
I run 265/65R18 on my D4, and as it has the 6 speed box, it is not detrimental having the taller gearing associated with the larger diameter.
This gives me a 172mm sidewall height over the 140mm sidewall of the 255/55R19

The max legal diameter increase is 50mm, which equates to a 25mm taller sidewall (max lift heights before engineering are 25mm tyre and 50mm suspension) which means a max diameter of 814mm, which is a 31.9" tyre.

Ahhh yes, thank you. I was too tired last night to think it through - thought it was 50mm but couldn’t get my head clear enough.

So a 255/65x19 would be perfect. :thumbsup: Bring it on!

David

[Grentarc]

Y

Ahhh yes, thank you. I was too tired last night to think it through - thought it was 50mm but couldn’t get my head clear enough.

So a 255/65x19 would be perfect. [emoji106] Bring it on!

DavidThe problem then is that it takes a bit of work making a tyre that size actually fit in the wheel well, as when in cross axle situations, the compressed side will tuck higher into the arch than when it's just sitting on the bump stops (as they are springs it sits on as soft stops before it hits the hard stops) - this means arch liners need removing and chassis possibly gets in the way on full lock. Better idea is 31.5" tyres and 18" rims.

[Odysseyman]

The problem then is that it takes a bit of work making a tyre that size actually fit in the wheel well, as when in cross axle situations, the compressed side will tuck higher into the arch than when it's just sitting on the bump stops (as they are springs it sits on as soft stops before it hits the hard stops) - this means arch liners need removing and chassis possibly gets in the way on full lock. Better idea is 31.5" tyres and 18" rims.

By my calculation the 31.5”x18 having a rolling diameter of 800mm and the 265/65x19 a rolling diameter of almost 815mm.

I get it, thanks Justin.

David

[DunnToImpress]

I have been reading this thread with great interest. There seems to be a great disparity with peoples thoughts on lowering pressures or not. Sidewall damage in rocky areas is a real issue, one that i encountered last year and as such am now part of the crew that wont lower pressures in rocky areas.
Have a look at an old timers view on the issue, Jack Absalom, travelling the Birdsville track in his Sigma Wagon!!! The Tyres are disucssed in the first few minutes,
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YovHsehhiME)

I look forward to hearing peoples thoughts???

[Eric SDV6SE]

[QUOTE=DunnToImpress;2860890. Have a look at an old timers view on the issue, Jack Absalom, travelling the Birdsville track in his Sigma Wagon!!! The Tyres are disucssed in the first few minutes,
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YovHsehhiME) [/QUOTE]
I reckon Mr. Absalom knows what he was talking about. Gotta keep that sidewall off the stones and provide enough pressure to carry the load (car+occupants+equipment+...) AND deflect rocks etc.

The Maxxis AT890s are rated for 1215kg at 80psi cold in single configuration, I reckon running at 50psi (hot)is not unreasonable, perhaps even higher depending on load, would not be a bad idea on roads such as the Birdsville track.

just my 2c worth...

[DunnToImpress]

Been looking and can not find where you got the 80PSI??? Sounds high.

[kelvo]

Been looking and can not find where you got the 80PSI??? Sounds high.
It will be on the sidewall of the tyre. 80Psi is normal for the maximum pressure on LT rated tyres, although some are 65Psi.

[Eric SDV6SE]

An issue is most service station air compressors are limited to 60-65 psi, but I guess most of us are carrying our own air anyways. Not sure if I'd ever run at higher than 65 psi though. Assuming fully loaded I'm at 50psi cold and from Mr.Absaloms video, would need to be at around 53-54, then allowing for the 3psi rule, I'd be at 56-57 psi.

I recently drove around NZ south island on LTs (motorhome), they needed to be at 70psi, could not get them there, best was 65psi, at least the pressure was the same on all tyres.

[ShawnWang]

I am afraid that the 4WD cannot go through some difficult level tracks with such high pressure. It should work on rocky and easy tracks.

[Odysseyman]

And here’s a much more contemporary, and relevant for Light Truck All Terrain tyres, opinion.

YouTube (https://youtu.be/SxYo6s94mXk)

Jack Absolom’s advice may have been relevant in 1985 for the highway tyres he was using but it is totally irrelevant for today’s light truck all-terrain tyres.

cheers
David

[Milton477]

I have just fitted another set of 4 Maxxis to my D4 after 55k Km. WHile I could maybe have got another 10k Km out of them, it would have been unwise to try when considering some of the roads I use. Most of the mileage involved towing a caravan.

[Whiggs88@gmail.com]

Great experience for me. Did lap including Gibb River and many Km of other heavily corrugated roads towing 3500kg caravan. Not even a puncture.

I'll buy again.

Warren

[ozscott]

For a D3 or D4 I would suggest you would never get even close to the 80psi max pressure of a lot of LT tyres. Would be like driving on bricks with no advantage (and only downsides). Cheers

[Eric SDV6SE]

For a D3 or D4 I would suggest you would never get even close to the 80psi max pressure of a lot of LT tyres. Would be like driving on bricks with no advantage (and only downsides). Cheers

Agreed, but i bought them because of the sidewall ply rating, after damaging 2 tyres in Karajini NP. Running at 40-42 psi is no problem, wear is good, not too noisy and performance in mud and sand is pretty good for an AT. Happy so far. Next set will prob be Pirelli ATR's, still researching...

[gavinwibrow]

Next set will prob be Pirelli ATR's, still researching...


Me too. Talk to me when ready to change, as I might have a good contact for a "group buy".

[ozscott]

Another tyre that gets rave reviews is the Fallen Wildpeak AT3. In 265/60/18 they are a 114 load rating. If you step up one profile and one width they are 121 from memory. Cheers

[DiscoJeffster]

Another tyre that gets rave reviews is the Fallen Wildpeak AT3. In 265/60/18 they are a 114 load rating. If you step up one profile and one width they are 121 from memory. Cheers

Which is wildly (pun intended) pointless in a thread on 19” tyres

[ozscott]

[emoji1787][emoji106]. I thought some D4's had 18 inch but for those on bitumen vehicles with 19s and 20s Falken AT3 comes in those sizes too. Cheers

[Odysseyman]

[emoji1787][emoji106]. I thought some D4's had 18 inch but for those on bitumen vehicles with 19s and 20s Falken AT3 comes in those sizes too. Cheers

Not in 19”. And not Light Truck construction.

And just for the record Light Truck tyres are not intended to be run at 80psi unless you are loaded to their load limit. Which with a 114 load rating would mean you would have 2360kg on your rear axle - way above any manufacturers specifications for rear axle load and really only there as a safety margin. Tyre pressures are then set according to the load they actually carry.
David

[ozscott]

Not in 19”. And not Light Truck construction.

And just for the record Light Truck tyres are not intended to be run at 80psi unless you are loaded to their load limit. Which with a 114 load rating would mean you would have 2360kg on your rear axle - way above any manufacturers specifications for rear axle load and really only there as a safety margin. Tyre pressures are then set according to the load they actually carry.
DavidNot in 19. Funny how they don't do that and jump straight to the 20. It's though they are trying to avoid supplying tyres to Disco 4s. And let's face it, a 20.inch rim doesn't scream a need for a LT [emoji1787]. And yep, posted above about LT pressures.

Cheers

[stuarth44]

[QUOTE=mfpoli;2527940]Thanks Justin. Finally a light truck tyre in 19 inch! This is going on the shopping list. Hopefully the reviews are favourable.....ie minimal road noise, great puncture resistance, great handling in wet, etc :D and that there are enough stock in the country when time comes to changing the Wranglers!

Mario[
poor reviews, at my wits end, trying to find a good all rounder

[DiscoJeffster]

[QUOTE=mfpoli;2527940]Thanks Justin. Finally a light truck tyre in 19 inch! This is going on the shopping list. Hopefully the reviews are favourable.....ie minimal road noise, great puncture resistance, great handling in wet, etc :D and that there are enough stock in the country when time comes to changing the Wranglers!

Mario[
poor reviews, at my wits end, trying to find a good all rounder

Very noisy!! I moved off these to Duratrac and was much happier. Much noisier than the Duratrac

[stuarth44]

[emoji1787][emoji106]. I thought some D4's had 18 inch but for those on bitumen vehicles with 19s and 20s Falken AT3 comes in those sizes too. Cheers
2.7s have 18s, will not fit 3.0 later cars as the brake calipers are massive and no amount of dressing the castings will allow LR 18s, unless you turn 2mm off of the rim inner and that'd weaken the rims, which are, by the way out of round