265/75 or 235/85 Wrangler MTR's

[Greylandy]

I'm considering a tyre trade-in when I take delivery of the new tdci. Leaning towards a set of Wrangler MTR's in a 265/75 or standard 235/85. All my experience is with BF Goodrich MTR's running three sets on my last two Defenders. I'm looking for some real world experience with the Wrangler MTR's, on and offroad behaviour, longevity, mileage, structural durability etc.

I would also like to hear opinions on the stock General Grabbers and if it might be worthwhile to just leave them on the truck.

Last question, what discount can I expect if I trade in the grabbers on a set of MTR's before delivery? I suppose that depends on the tyre dealer but would like to hear some practical experience from all the new car buyers out there.

Thanks
Henry

[long stroke]

235/85/16 mtr's got my vote, they seem to be a very good tyre on and offroad, but not as good as some other mud tyres in the mud;)

CHEERS TIM.

[justinc]

I'm considering a tyre trade-in when I take delivery of the new tdci. Leaning towards a set of Wrangler MTR's in a 265/75 or standard 235/85. All my experience is with BF Goodrich MTR's running three sets on my last two Defenders. I'm looking for some real world experience with the Wrangler MTR's, on and offroad behaviour, longevity, mileage, structural durability etc.

I would also like to hear opinions on the stock General Grabbers and if it might be worthwhile to just leave them on the truck.

Last question, what discount can I expect if I trade in the grabbers on a set of MTR's before delivery? I suppose that depends on the tyre dealer but would like to hear some practical experience from all the new car buyers out there.

Thanks
Henry

Morning Henry

I have BFG mud terrains in a 255/85/16 and very happy with their wear rate so far. I HAVE seen MTR's wear very quickly on my apprentices Hilux, He'll NOT be buying them again:mad: although his first set lasted really well. The General grabbers have been seen still legal at 100,000+km, but have a pretty lacklustre tread pattern for serious offroading. I would possibly obtain 4 spare rims and fit up the mudders, keep the generals for ON ROAD/ commuting/ touring etc as they are a good, quiet, hard wearing tyre.
And as regard to size, 235/85 is my preferred out of these two, but a 255/85/16 is better...33" in the old scale.
JC

[x-box]

Hi Henry

I bought my defender with BFG A/T's and got 118k k's out of them, then put on 235/85 MTR's. They look good and stick like anything to rocks etc as they are a pretty soft and "sticky" compound. Initially they were also very "squemish" on the road but that improved as they wore in a little. I was not happy with either the way they wore or the mileage i got - even considering they are a "mud" type tyre - i really thought they would last longer. Currently have BFG M/T's in 265 and they seem to ride softer and handle better than the slightly skinnier 235's - almost like the 235 is a "stiffer" tyre compared to the 265's - i know it sounds weird but definately more comfy ride on the wider tyre (and i am fond of skinny tyres!)
Either way, have fun with the new fender and as usual waiting for pics (when u get it!!!)

[Scallops]

We have the Wrangler MTR's (235's) on all our work trucks - Cruiser utes. These are used for Geophysical field work and every vehicle now gets them standard. We find they are much less prone to sidewall flats when driving through scrub or along seismic lines. They are louder than standard tyres on the road and not quite as long lived, but their durability to avoid flats and keep moving through a variety of terrains keeps them on our trucks.

My truck - it has the Grabber TR's as fitted stock. I initially had the same thoughts - swap 'em out for some all terrains or muds. Well, after 30 000km of use - I can't fault them. They are actually great tyres!

On my recent trip around Oz - traveling through the Kimberleys, Top End, Gibson desert via the Gunbarrel and the Simpson, they performed with distinction - didn't even get one flat. They have worn beautifully too - all I do is rotate front to back same side every 10 000km.

I reckon they are great on the road (9.8l/100km on recent trip), great in sand and OK for everything else - except mud. So in the end it depends where you'll spend your time.

That said - once mine wear out - I'll probably fit a set of Grabber AT2's.

[weeds]

JohnR on the forum has an 08 defender which has at least 265's fitted, not sure what brand

[dmdigital]

I'd agree with Scallops, the General's that come standard are a good AT. They certainly handle rocky terrain without damage.

Likewise I'll probably look at at General AT2's or similar when it comes time to replace.

I can't see the need for 265 over 235 tyre width.

Do you really need MT's?

[Searover]

About to buy some ZU rims fitted with Cooper 235/85/16 STT for my fender,should have done what your'e about to do except i thought General grabber AT2 were standard fit.

[Lionel]

I left the Grabber TR's on my Defender (2004) on the standard mag wheels, and, for trips, bought a set of steel rims and Grabber MT's(235 85's), which have been terrific! The TR's are excellent on bitumen and wear very well too, and I can also recommend very highly the Grabber MT's in the rough stuff - definitely worth considering.

As far as mud tyres go, the MTR's are pretty good, and have performed well, in my experience.

I don't think either the Grabber MT's or the MTR's wear as well as the TR's though.

Cheers,

Lionel

[Slunnie]

I reckon the MTR. They dont vibrate due to square lugs, and they have a stronger carcass to give less problems when touring. They are silica to give traction and they are good offroad and on road. Wear rates for me have been excellent. Up until recently they were my daily driver tyres and touring tyres and after god knows how many years they still are more than usable - but getting down, maybe 40%. I'm not easy on tyres either.

The reason why I voted the 265/75 over the 235/85 is because the 235 has a much tighter tread pattern. The sizes wider than this have got a significantly greater void ratio from where they have opened the pattern right up, and this improves offroad traction. They are not a mud tyre, but not far off it and miles ahead of any AT tyre. In my mind there is not a better touring compromise

[Greylandy]

Thanks to everyone for responding to my poll and questions. JC I definitely agree with you, the BF MT in a 255/85 is the ultimate tyre for a deefer, exactly what I was running on the Greylandy. The only problem with that size is they are hard to find and they did have an impact on fuel economy, although minimal. I'm also a bit more subdued these days, I don't spend nearly as much time in the mud so a 33" tyre will be overkill. Having said that, a Defender should not be seen without muddies :D

From all the feedback there is mixed feelings about the Wrangler MTR's. The main concern seems to be the rate at which they wear. Looking at the feedback:

In favour of MTR's:
Long Stroke
Scallops
Lionel
Slunnie

Against:
Justinc
X-Box

I am very reluctant to move away from BF MT's, the last two sets (265/75 and 255/85) provided excellent drivability (on and offroad) and the wear was excellent. BUT if you don't occasionally try something else you will never know (or is it a case of .. once you've had black .. ;))

I will give it some more thought and make the call, I've got until next week to make up my mind. Thanks to all for your suggestions, once again this site is an amazing source of knowledge.

[Brute]

Just a late reply to your question.

I`m on my second set of 235/85 MTRs on my 130

Both sets have been damn good tyres with good grip on and off road.
The first set I did`nt rotate frequently enough and they ended up with big tapers on the out side lugs so these ended up on my camper trailer and as spares after about 40,000Km
The second set i`vedone nearly 30,000Km and have rotated every 5000km they are wearing pretty even and still look hardly worn

i havent had a single puncture, both the 130 and trailer have the heavy steel 130 rims and tubes and all have done a fairbit of sand at 15 - 18 psi

My only complaint is that they start to howl abit on corners after about 20,000km which gets worse as they wear but they are still quiter than the michellins that came new on the truck

I also run MTRs on my Rangie ute albeit 35 x 12.5 x 15`s which i reckon are an awesome mud tyre as there is still only the 4 rows of lugs but the gaps between are obviously much bigger

go the goodyear

Ian

[WhiteD3]

I know you'll say it's not relevant and they're a different tyre, but I've side-walled two Wrangler 255/60R18 in the last 6 months which make for a very expensive 2 day's out at $440 ea:eek:.

I think I've got another 10k to go on the remaining original tyre (2 new and the original spare are on the car now); once that goes or I do another tyre in :(it's off for a new set and they won't be Wranglers.