Thread: Vic High Country tracks - Now with a trip report

Originally posted by RichardK+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RichardK)</div><div class='quotemain'>

Originally posted by PCH@
<!--QuoteBegin-RichardK

Great report Chris, what a lovely part of the country that is, we will be back there soon.

What tread are your Coopers and what size are they and any comments on their performance? I am looking to put a more agressive tread on my D3.

They are the Cooper SureTrac ST. LT245/70/17. I would get a set of the new STT's next time which have the antichip compound and a more aggressive pattern for mud. I've got a lot of chipping on the rears already and I noticed that the thread blocks are starting to crack around the base on the rears and it maybe the case of too much pressure in difficult terrain and the tyres slipping more than they should due to the pressure. When I noticed the cracking I dropped the pressure down to 30PSI (hot).

Chris.

You can get the ST-C now that is the ST's with the anti chip compound.
What is their grip like compared to the noriginal fit Goodyears :?:[/b][/quote]

Richard,

The ST-C's are only available in the 16" otherwise I would have gone with ST-C's.

The ST's can't really be compared to the Goodyear Wranglers for off-road. I did the first 2 4WD trips on the Wranglers and damaged the 2 of the 18" rims on rocks and the sidewall of one of the tyres. On the bitumen the Wranglers are far better than the Coopers for grip. The Coopers are pretty poor on the bitumen but you would expect this with the large tread blocks and lots of tread squirm. I did some reasonably difficult tracks on the Wranglers like Blue Rag and Mt Wellington track and they gripped the rocky tracks fine but in the wet I don't think they would be much good. Also I'd be worried about punctures.

Just the blocky tread design and deep tread (14mm) on the Coopers compared to 9mm on the Wranglers the Coopers will be far better than the Wranglers in mud.

The increased noise over the road tyres is acceptable to me.

There is a marginal increase in fuel consumption. Maybe up to 1lt/100km

The Coopers come with 10 ply and are rated Light Truck so they have a good load carrying capacity compared to the Wranglers.

If you want some security then get the ST's or STT's. You will be better off.

Chris

Looks like that's where I'm headed