Thread: Your thoughts & comments?

Jonesfam

I would buy 17's or 18's.

You can get BFG's (both AT or MT) in 245 X 70 x 17.

18's are a little more difficult however you can get BFG AT's in 265 X 65 X 18however these may be to large for Qld, although I do know they will fit even if the spare is a tight fit.

Regards

Chuck

I agree with Chuck. I bought a set of 17 inch Performance Wheels with Cooper STT 245/70/17 MT's for offroad use and only ever use the 19 inch OEM wheels around town. This also protects the OEM rims for when I sell the D3. I have done a High Country trip + Red Centre & Kakadu + Litchfield with no punctures (yet). I accept the STT's are noisy onroad so you would probably prefer good LT rated ATR's as per Chuck. Regards, David

Jonesfam,
I am running 265/60/18 Bridgestone Silent Armour's on my D4, with Gordon's rims.
I know with tyres it can be a bit of luck but we have just come off the Gibb River Road this morning. We went from El Questro to Mitchell Falls and back to Kununurra over the last few weeks, as well as many other places along the way with similar roads. I have been on the roads around your way and these are similar but have more 'knife like' rocks standing on edge than I have seen up your way. Managed not to hit any of these. Plenty of imbedded rock poking through the road, similar to your area.
We had no flat tyres or any other issues on this trip, which included a trip to the Bungle Bungles.
The roads we traveled got worse as we headed away from the bitumen. The Gibb River Road was thought to be a bit rough on the way north, but by comparison on the return trip it was quite good.
The time that we were on these roads we saw about 6 vehicles either changing flat tyres or working on severe damage to trailer/campervan axles and suspension. There were a few dead trailers and parts therof littering these roads.
The conversations at each stopover was about what damage had been incurred to tyres or suspension.
We had no problems. I ran the tyres at 34 and 35 psi front and back cold. Had Intended dropping lower but talked myself out of it given road conditions. Road could be smooth enough to run at 80 kph and quickly change to rocks pocking out of road and requiring to slow to 30 kph.
Spoke with a guy who ran at 25 psi and had 'smallish' rock destroy his tyre.
Realise this is statistically insignificant as it may have been just luck.
cheers,
Sean

Getting rid of the 19" really is not economically that practical and buying more 19" rims and tyres, kind of like digging a deeper hole. Even if you could paint the rims pink, it is unlikely you could get that football hero to purchase them as I suppose he would want 22".

It seems that for some reason, 18" rims seem to be a better size than 19" for anything other than dry pavement - more tyre choices I guess.

A possible thought would be to purchase four 18" rims and tyres that have the same OD / circumference as the 19" Continental size you already have. That way, you can then take with you on your next expedition, up to four "spare" tyres so to speak. When you get the next flat on the 18", running one 19" with three 18" rims will not cause bad things to occur.

I have this set up and while it does not look pretty, it will work and does no harm to the gearing.

I went straight to 17" to fit LT245/70-17 with LT255/65-17 as a backup size in standard overall diameter. I was pleased to find that my Yoko AT/S have 3 ply sidewalls although they haven't had a serious workout yet.

Edit: I keep a 2nd spare at home (currently a 19") rather than with the vehicle so I only need to get home with no spare if 1 gets a flat.

Having travelled through your area last year (June) and seen the roads, I would suggest that any brand of low profile tyre is at a far higher risk of damage than say "70" profile. I agree with Graeme that 245/70/17 is the best option, however the cost of change over may be an obstacle. But 17" steel rims plus tyres may be about the same cost as 19" tyres.

Ivanr

2005 TDV6 s
245/70/17 Cooper ST

ps have done approx 21,000 kms on outback trips with out any flats on these tyres.

Jonesfam,

I run the Continental AT's but on 18in rims and whilst I have been pleased with them I think the sidewalls are pretty soft and some of the tread blocks are a bit chipped already and I have not done a huge amount of off road work.

If, as it sound like for you you do most of your miles at reasonable speed on roads with plenty of rocks etc then I could see how they would cut up and possibly get damaged easily over time. Also they are not cheap !

The 17in rims with LT tyre sound like the way to go, PM as I am aware of a set of 4 with brand new BF Goodrich LT tyres for sale at circa $1,500.

Regards,

George

17s.

LTs.

Worry no more. That is the only choice for rough roads.

P-reinforced is not enough. I tried that myself and it didn't work out.