Tyre recommendations for desert/loose sand conditionsw

[Bearman]

I am looking at doing a Simpson desert crossing in a month or two in the 6x6 and would be looking at an east/west crossing on the QAA line from Birdsville to Hay River then up to the Madigan line and across to Old Andado station, down to Mt.Dare and probably back to Qld via either the QAA, French line or Rig road. I don't have much confidence in the XZL Michelins in loose sand as they are a hard tyre and don't tolerate low pressures so I am looking at getting some more suitable tyres for it. So far I an tossing up between Toyo open country MT and Bridgestone dueler MT673. Anyone have any suggestions or practical experience with these tyres in loose sand?

[weeds]

I did the Simpson on brand new BFG AT’s......like most tyres on sand not an issue.

[weeds]

Oh you won’t need MT’s.....but MT’s seem to be the norm theses days.

[Bearman]

Those ones I mentioned aren't real aggressive. What AT's did you use in BFG

[weeds]

1st generation

[Bearman]

Would be looking at 235/85R16's which are a pretty good match for 7.50's. I am running 3.54 diffs so don't want to go to bigger diameter tyres.

[Bearman]

And I have lockers in both rear diffs and a trutrac in the front so don't need speed to get through just traction

[steveG]

IMO based on sand experience in the county you'll be fine in the sand with whatever you choose. I typically run around 20psi with BFG km2 255/85s but drop to 18 or 15 if it feels like it's working too hard.
I'd be more concerned about tyre durability on gravel than issues in the sand.

Traveling with a few different groups the only vehicles that have been badly bogged have been running too high pressures and kept the boot in when they started to bog.

Sounds like a great trip. Enjoy!!

Steve

[wpalmo]

IMO based on sand experience in the county you'll be fine in the sand with whatever you choose. I typically run around 20psi with BFG km2 255/85s but drop to 18 or 15 if it feels like it's working too hard.
I'd be more concerned about tyre durability on gravel than issues in the sand.

Traveling with a few different groups the only vehicles that have been badly bogged have been running too high pressures and kept the boot in when they started to bog.

I totally agree with Steve. My RFSV runs BFG km2 255/85s tyres on Wolf rims. Pretty much all the off road driving I do is in soft sand searching out surfing and fishing spots on the south west coast of WA. I have even gone down as low as 12psi in deep beach sand if I feel the vehicle bogging or working too hard. You do have to be careful if there is a mixture of soft sand and sharp rock or hard woody foilage when running such low tyre pressures as it is easy to stake a tyre through the side wall when they are ballooned out so much.

I believe that the BFG's have a thicker side wall to help prevent this happening but I stand corrected on that. Since running the BFG's I haven't staked a tyre yet - touch wood. However, I have staked Toyo and Maxxis all terrains in the past when running low tyre pressures in my Series 3 Stage One V8.

Sounds like a great trip you are planning. I am sure you will have a few spare tyres on board as well. All the best.

Regards Warrick.

[Tombie]

M55 Toyo would be brilliant for your vehicle.

[Zeros]

Don’t go wider than 235/85R16...you want low pressure lengthening of tyre track, not widening. Toyo M55’s or AT’s, Bridgestone D661 or any good AT. I’ve just fitted Kumho AT51’s for a change because I got a good price, wanted an all round tyre. But if I was buying new tyres for Simpson or any big outback trip, I’d have trouble going past Bridgestone D661 - vey strong sidewalls, but compliant tyre. Or maybe I’d try M55’s. You dont need MT’s IMO.
Have a great trip!

[numpty]

Nothing wrong with the XZL's either. Almost any tyre is fine in sand as it's more a pressure thing.

A mates 6 x 6 was running 750's on our last cross country Simpson jaunt and had no issues. I think they were Olympic Steeltreks on that trip.

[Zeros]

Nothing wrong with the XZL's either. Almost any tyre is fine in sand as it's more a pressure thing.

A mates 6 x 6 was running 750's on our last cross country Simpson jaunt and had no issues. I think they were Olympic Steeltreks on that trip.

Absolutely - 7.50s extend lengthwise perfectly at low pressures. They’re just difficult to find these days.