TIRES FOR FNQ

[Hay Ewe]

Hi all
been lurking for a while whilst pondering the purchase of a Defender or Discovery and am finalising the purchase of a Discovery.

I have searched but my search technique must be weak today!

the one we are getting is 2004 TD5 Auto and has great road tires on it. part of the reason for getting a 4x4 is that I am competing in the Crocodile Trophy later this year (1200km off road on a mountain bike) and my mother is coming over from the UK to be my support crew.

We shall be going from Cairns to Koombaloomba near Ravenshoe, over to Mt Garnett, up to Chillagoe, up to Laura and on to Cooktown then down to Cape Tribulation to give you an idea of the area.

I am after some advice of tires to get, the roads that she will be on are all graded and firm, some sandy sections, some of it will be soft.

I have ridden most of the tracks on a motorbike and so am familiar with them but not what tires would be best on a Disco.

I know that tires are a preferenetial thing, I would rather spend a bit more on tires that will last a while than extra nobby ones that will only last 5000km for example.

the current fitted tires I inted to keep.

Thanks in advance for your help, apologies for my weak search powers today....

Hay Ewe

[Fusion]

Hi Mate and welcome ..... nice choice in a disco too ;). Have a look here ......
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/gclro-general/58882-tyre-poll-advice-expertise-needed.html

[long stroke]

Welcome mate!
We did 1500km trip to the kimberley using bfgoodrich all-terains and we never had a puncture.
or if you want a bit more agresive tred pattern go the goodyear mtr's.

CHEERS TIM.

[V8Landy]

If the tyres on it are light truck(L/T) then they would do the job on sand.If you want to change them i would go an all terrain(A/T) tyre.I do not no the roads up there so am unsure of what you actually need but it will be L/T at the minimum.Hope this helps

[Piddler]

Mickey Thompson MTZ
265/75/R16 give it a 50 mm lift with springs and shocks.

Cheers

[isuzu110]

If the tyres on it are light truck(L/T) then they would do the job on sand.If you want to change them i would go an all terrain(A/T) tyre.I do not no the roads up there so am unsure of what you actually need but it will be L/T at the minimum.Hope this helps

I driven to Koombaloomba, Mt Garnet, Chillagoe, Cape Trib and Cooktown. From memory, the most taxing places will be Koombaloomba and the Donovan Range (20% slope) north of Cape Trib if it is wet (greasy).

I once had to reverse down a wet Donovan range and snatch a Hilux with a camper trailer attached. I only had Cooper ST tyres but did use my rear difflock.

I'd think an AT style tyre would be ample unless you are going when it is really wet or the driver of your support vehicle was very inexperienced. If so, consider an MT.

[Hay Ewe]

Thanks for the info about tires, due to a delay we wont be getting it in time to have new tires fitted before the weekend when we have plans to use it but will using the info to assist making a choice

thanks

Hay Ewe