275/40 to 275/45r20 - pure road vs all season

[ontheway]

Hi all,

My L320 is primarily an on road machine with the odd dirt track and very light beach work.

Need new tyres - given the beach angle I was thinking of moving to 45 series to give a little more circumference and foot print when aired down. Am I on the right track or so marginal it doesn't matter?

Also interested in opinions on road tyres. All things being equal for road, I would choose the pilot sport 4.

The other option is conti lx sport (which is the std fitment for l494 I have seen). These "say" they are 80/20 onroad/off-road. I don't really believe this and wonder if their onroad tradeoff vs the pilot sport gives me anything in return (maybe stronger sidewalls but suspect maybe a tiny bit more robust.)

Thoughts welcome.

[p38brickus]

I had a set of Cooper LTZ Zeons on my 2008 TDV8. I was unable to replace them with like tyres at the time and put a set of Discoverers on. Hate them with a passion. The LTZ's were 70% bitumen and 30% dirt, quiet and wore very well.

[Meccles]

I used Cooper 245/75 R20 zeons nice tyre. But destroyed a couple on beach went too low in tire pressure (thought I had 20psi in them but was 15) then went inland a bit and sidewalks cracked. They’re pretty stuff in sidewalk I believe. However they worked well in sand just make sure not to go too low and pump up again if going anywhere but sand

[Meccles]

Side wall

[DunnToImpress]

I am now one of the converted, the 20"'s are just no good off road. My Humble Opinion Only. As a complete novice i tried lowering pressures to look after the track and get a better ride, ended up with a sidewall failure. With 265 50 20 Nitto Terra Grapplers, good tyre, they have worn well, good on road, but the bagging of sidewalls doesn't seem to happen.
I have just completed 8000kms in July, we went through all sorts of off road conditions, Mungo National Park, Birdsville Track, Fraser Island. Not an issue with the new 18" Tuffant Steel Rims, Maxxis AT700 265 60 18.
Yes it is a pain to change tyres when you go away but the results and performance off road is soooo much better.