KM2s - disappointed

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 400HPONGAS

in the Pilbara , where the rocks are way nastier than the Gibb river road
Sidewall damage , tread Sepos , heat seperations and more than likely Band seperation from water ingress into cuts on the whole are not the tyres fault , they are the operators fault . No tyre can account for incorrect operation by the nut loose behind the steering wheel .

---

In the Pilbara he rocks are way nastier? Exactly, so why should the Gibb have trashed a full set nearly? If I was such a loose nut, and entirely to be blamed for the tyres failres, and so ignorant about 4wding, tyre pressures and speeds, how did I do the first 40000 without any drama on roads that were generally harder than the Gibb?

As for tyre separations, sidewall damage etc being the operators fault, does this logic extend to all tyres made or just KM2's? Engineering, compounds, construction, tread design and quaility control plays no part in a tyre's performance? Anyway, I know you say 'on the whole' but I don't think all these types of failures can always be the driver's fault. Think Cooper st's when they part produced in China- delaminations galore. I still think KM2s are great- just not as good as I used to think!

Quote:

---

I have thought of one other thing- I have polyairs inside my rear springs to help with load carrying- these restrict the action of the spring and may have made life harder for the rear tyres- 3 out of 4 tyre failures were on the rear. Anyone had this issue?

---

I have them also , and I don't think they are a problem. I run them at relatively low pressures of about 12Lb when towing the trailer. They saved me from a nasty bottoming when I hit a big unseen dip on the Kulumburu Rd at 80Kmh or so and the car and trailer made air.
Regards Philip A

On a big trip, I also always run new or as new tyres and either sell the older or rotate them when I get back.
I also get new tyres when they hit the 40% wear mark, especially on four wheel drive.
Thats how i roll and in 20 years had one failure off road and one tyre punctured by a spanner that impaled itself right through the tread.

Not bad me thinks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by beanie_205

Size was standard D2- 235/70/16. I'm moving away from km2s partly because I just don't think mt's are worth it for me, especially since they clearly aren't as bulletproof as I thought they might be.

---

I think this particular size was probably the cause of the problems, as it only has a load index of 104. 235/70-16 is normally only P-rated and this load index indicates that the KM2 is also only a passenger tyre. Go for a proper LT size next time - 225/75-16 and 245/70-16 are both usually LT with almost the same rolling diameter.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by big guy

On a big trip, I also always run new or as new tyres and either sell the older or rotate them when I get back.
I also get new tyres when they hit the 40% wear mark, especially on four wheel drive.
Thats how i roll and in 20 years had one failure off road and one tyre punctured by a spanner that impaled itself right through the tread.

Not bad me thinks

---

Yeah have come to the same conclusion as regards a big/remote trip next time- new tyres and keep the older set for around town/highway etc. Cheers

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Graeme

I think this particular size was probably the cause of the problems, as it only has a load index of 104. 235/70-16 is normally only P-rated and this load index indicates that the KM2 is also only a passenger tyre. Go for a proper LT size next time - 225/75-16 and 245/70-16 are both usually LT with almost the same rolling diameter.

---

Yes, the load rating maybe wasn't sufficient- I have changed to 245/75/16 Goodyear duratracs, much higher load rating. Hopefully these last longer, first impressions are good, quieter than km2s which were starting to get a little noisy as they wore down, also fuel economy has improved- i was getting 13l/100 with km2s, not sure yet as I'm still on the first tank but that guage is def moving more slowly:), it'd wanna be after what I paid for 5 new duratracs- 1800 :eek:. I think the duratrac will suit me well, its a beefier a/t with a more open tread on the shoulder, an a/t that tends toward a muddie- should go well on all surfaces I think. And i like 245/75, was looking at 265/75 but chickened out, started to worry about gearing (i have an auto)- We'll see, as these are fairly new to the market I will keep the forum posted on how they go.

Cheers

The Duratrac's tread pattern is about what I'd like to have. I almost bought some but then decided to try the much cheaper (ex USA) Yokohama AT/S in LT245/70-17 (LI 119). I've since acquired an almost unused KM2 in the same size as a 2nd spare and that makes the AT/S look like highway tyres.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Graeme

The Duratrac's tread pattern is about what I'd like to have. I almost bought some but then decided to try the much cheaper (ex USA) Yokohama AT/S in LT245/70-17 (LI 119). I've since acquired an almost unused KM2 in the same size as a 2nd spare and that makes the AT/S look like highway tyres.

---

Yeah Yokohama geolanders were on my short list, I went the duratracs to keep (hopefully) a bit of the wet/mud terrain ability. I looked into the US option, but freight to Darwin was quoted at $600US, and then fitting $150 the set, and that took the sweetness out of the deal for me.

Did the Gibb this year early May to mid june, towing a 1T camper with D2a auto 245/75s all round (8 of them!!!). Ran about 24 in front 36 in rears and 28 on trailer. The rears were reasonably chipped at Derby but others great, unmarked. Next time I'll ignore the load and drop pressures allround.

Did 20K in 5 mths 1 flat in Pilbara, put a spark plug clean thru the tread of a tyre done 600km!!! Bugga.

I'm a believer...24-28 on gravel roads no matter what load and manage the speed.

Did same trip 4 yrs ago with cooper STs, got a warranty claim after 27K for excessive chipping and tread degradation!!!. Go the BFGs. But small price for a great trip!!! Jeez, thi sis taking forever to type after 2-3 Wild Turkeys.

Silverhammer

I think it's interesting the same brand and model of tyre comes in so many different constructions depending on size. I'm looking at the KM2 tyres in 245/75-16. These are LT construction, many others aren't

Happy Days.