LT tyre for 18" rims

**DiscoWeb** · 24th April 2013, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by hutchbb

Have been quoted $400 for Goodyear Wranglers, 265 65 18 which come with good recomendation but this is from the Goodyear dealer.

First post from Hutchbb

Hutchbb,

Firstly welcome seeing as it was your first post.

In response to you comment above. Based on what I have read on this forum over a few years the general consensus seems to be the OEM Wrangelrs are rubbish.

Tire wear rate is high, grip is ordinary, subject to damage through the tread on anything but smooth gravel.

If you do a search you can check this feedback for yourself and some is positive but most is negative.

Without sounding condescending and not knowing if you know a huge amount about tires or absolutely nothing I make the following comments.

The key question/consideration is what is your intended use. Are you 99% on road with maybe the odd off road excursion, or are you planning a serious outback touring trip or something in between. This will play a huge part in your tire choice.

The D697's in this thread would be considered a very capable all round tire. Being LT (light truck) construction they are tougher and more durable off road but the tread patter is not so aggressive that they will degrade your on road performance (grip) or drone/hum like big chunky mud tires.

They are currently close to the top of my list for replacement tires. I use my vehicle mostly as a family commuter but like to throw in the odd weekend off road and a couple of harder multiple night trips so a All terrain tire like the D697 is a good compromise.

When I first purchased my D3 it came with Continental Cross Contact UHP rubber, a 100% on road tyre. Great grip, very quite and very economical but useless off road. I changed to an AT tyre as soon as they were worn out.

Hope this helps.

George

**rocmic** · 24th April 2013, 10:45 AM

First welcome Hutchbb
I too have been getting quotes. Are tyres the only thing left in this country where you still have to ring around rather than use the net?

I assume that the Wranglers you are talking about are the SilentArmor ATs, I have two quotes on from Goodyear adn one from Jax - 355 and 400

I have 9 quotes for the Bridgestone D697 ranging from 385 - 450

I am also looking at Mickey Thompson STZ range 348 - 389 and Yokohama ATS 349 - 420

These are all 265/60/18 and the quotes are all from around the Blacktown area in Western Sydney

Since I am replacing 5 tyres on the D3, the Bridgestones are looking a bit on the expensive side.

Anyone here able to comment on the other options?

Cheers
Mike

Tombie · 24th April 2013, 07:35 PM

Whilst the others may be good options...

None of them are LT construction.

**WhiteD3** · 28th April 2013, 01:14 PM

Any issues with the 265/60/18 fitting the spare while fully inflated?

Tombie · 28th April 2013, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by WhiteD3

Any issues with the 265/60/18 fitting the spare while fully inflated?

None...

Little tighter - so you need to align it a little better as you wind it up. That's all.

**WhiteD3** · 28th April 2013, 05:03 PM

I am running Scorpion ATR's now but after 50k the fronts a little thin on the sides. Looking at getting the D697's before June 30.

**Celtoid** · 30th April 2013, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by Tombie

Whilst the others may be good options...

None of them are LT construction.

I'm going down the 18" wheel track for camping trips etc and am looking at tyre options. I already have ATRs on the 19s which will be my general use tyre, so am looking for something more purposeful. Planning to buy from Tire Rack.

Lots of comments are being made about LT, is it a critical choice do you think?

Need to decide soon.

Cheers,

Kev.

**Graeme** · 30th April 2013, 09:41 AM

Are there enough advantages of any 18" P-rated tyre to justify the expense of at least 5 18" rims?

**gghaggis** · 30th April 2013, 10:09 AM

"LT" doesn't mean a tyre is indestructible. Likewise "P" doesn't necessarily mean a tyre is rubbish. I've got quite a database of 18" rim customers and I try to follow up what people fit and how they find them.

The latest Bridgestone LT's are relatively new, but so far yes, they seem to be an excellent tyre. Other makes in 18" which I've never heard complaints against are the Mickey Thompson STZ, the Goodyear Silent Armor and the Cooper Zeon LTZ.

I've heard of a few of the others, most "P", one LT, causing problems, but in most instances I can't tell if that's the tyre or plain bad luck.

Cheers,

Gordon

**Celtoid** · 30th April 2013, 10:44 AM

So I guess that's what I'm trying to ascertain ... Just cause it's LT may not mean it's better in mud, or another surface due to tread pattern or ability to ballon, etc. I'm not saying that's the case but it may be possible to get an LT that is no better off road than my ATRs.

Does that make sense?

Just trying to get the best out of the bigger rubber options.

Cheers.

Kev

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