Thread: Talk to me about Tyres & Towing

According to RAVE Owners handbook the Aussie D2 could have:

Wheel Tyre
7Jx16 235/70 R16
8Jx16 255/65 R16
8Jx18 255/55 R18

James

I was just giving the difference in those two sizes, to give you an idea on the difference with your current size, yes you will loose power, but will only be noticable when towing, not as much as you would with 265/75s though.

D2 standard size is 29" or so, way too small IMO, 32" like the defender would have been ideal, I think the 265/70/16 is a good choice, it's basically half way, doesn't go over the 7% allowed oversize on tyres, which means they are legal, won't drag much more power from the car and will still make it good to drive, even better when you get that tune you have in mind.

Baz.

Originally Posted by Fluids

Thanks Baz .... better yet, look at it this way ....

Std tyre size which the D2 speedo is calibrated for is 235/70*16. The Classic Country came with 255/65*16 which for all intent & purposes are the same size as a 235/70*16 (it's actually 0.41% or 3mm bigger) ... (and 255/55*18 off the Classic Town are the same size again as the 255/65*16).

Working from the std 235/70*16 as the base starting point ...

255/70*16 are 3.8% oversize

265/70*16 are 5.7% oversize

... 1.9% is the difference between these two oversized tyres .... Td5 seems to carry the 3.8% oversize OK ... 5.7% is starting to IMHO stretch the friendship ... then add the extra towing weight ....

... which is what bought me to this point in the proceedings.

According to RAVE Owners handbook the Aussie D2 could have:

Wheel Tyre
7Jx16 235/70 R16 28.95" / 735mm
8Jx16 255/65 R16 29.05" / 738mm
8Jx18 255/55 R18 29.04" / 738mm


Thanks James.

All 3x sizes are as good as equal to the std 235/70

Originally Posted by Fluids

If I increase the tyre size 1.9% do I correspondingly reduce my engine rpm by 1.9% ... ???

????

Anyone care to answer this one ?

Yes

Thank you everyone for the input. Very helpful.

Have order a set of 5x Bridgestone Dueler D697LT in 265/70*16. (Since the work D-Max ute runs the same tyres I know where there's a set of 5x incase ... )

Should be about a 50rpm drop in engine revs for the speed we usually cruise at (90-95 ... 2150rpm down to 2100rpm)) so the performance hit shouldn't be too much ... and we'll remap sometime in the new year.

Now I may have to flip the spare wheel carrier ... and my less than 25mm clearance above the roof rack in the driveway has become even less. It will be close !

I'll report back once I've lived with them for a bit and have had the KK in tow.

Originally Posted by Fluids

Thank you everyone for the input. Very helpful.

Have order a set of 5x Bridgestone Dueler D697LT in 265/70*16. (Since the work D-Max ute runs the same tyres I know where there's a set of 5x incase ... )

Should be about a 50rpm drop in engine revs for the speed we usually cruise at (90-95 ... 2150rpm down to 2100rpm)) so the performance hit shouldn't be too much ... and we'll remap sometime in the new year.

Now I may have to flip the spare wheel carrier ... and my less than 25mm clearance above the roof rack in the driveway has become even less. It will be close !

I'll report back once I've lived with them for a bit and have had the KK in tow.

I don't think you will Kev, the 265/70 is the same(almost) rolling diameter as the 245/75 and I didn't need to flip mine until I went to 235/85(265/75)

245/75/16 30.47 (773.9) 265/70/16 30.61 (777.4) so you should be OK.

Baz.

Thanks Baz! The sad 255/70 that's hanging there now has _maybe_ 7mm of clearance above the plastic bumper ...

Maybe a token slop of pig fat on the rear bumper to help the tyre sliiiiide over the bar might help ? !!!

Any wise sage advice for my low hanging driveway RSJ ?