Thread: 19" - 20" Rims Offroading - Real Life Experiences

So, I've been running 19s for over three years....and in some ways resisted the arguement that they are substandard.

A tyre change from the standard OEM to Scorpion ATRs made a huge difference....firmer, better grip. But very soft sand always bothered me. I have driven Fraser, Bribie and Moreton Island.... And while I never really had too many issues, I'm concerned dropping the pressures so low compromise the situation....risk of pinch from roots or rocks or maybe rolling a tyre off. In the end, three tons is three tons.....

That aside, the rims have copped a flogging .... Even sand scratches them and they now have plenty of chips.

I just made a decision to buy 18's is based more on a combo of things ..... Can drive a more road orientated tyre on the road ... So better handling, noise, fuel Eco. It protects the 19" wheels from damage .... Especially after I get them re coated.

But I can now pick a more aggressive tyre for camping/ off road work..for the 18s.. A tyre I will hopefully have more confidence off road with.

So run both.

Cheers,

Kev.

Originally Posted by Celtoid

Hi,

I've just read a few reports on Cooper LTZs cracking sidewalls .... Any reports on that?

Cheers,

Kev.

I've heard of one here in WA. Quite odd - tyre was leaking air through a sidewall crack, when the tyre was removed there were a dozen or so cracks around the inside of the sidewall, spaced evenly around 100mm apart. Cooper are supposed to be investigating. Tyre had done around 30,000, up the CSR and the Gibb River Rd + a fair bit of beach work.

Cheers,

Gordon

We have a control Dunlop racing slick in our series that is made up in the north east of the US. If they are made over there in their winter and not handled right by the factory workers when they come out of the mould you occasionally get some that actually crack like glass.

Quite amazing to see a tyre after is put on a rim and the first time it is banged or dropped off of the race stand on a cold morning and it nearly $hatters. They never come apart just get heaps of cracks that look ugly.

Not saying this will be the same problem but it sounds like a factory issue rather than a user caused issue.

I'll be changing over to 18" rims as soon as I can...

Just travelled the Savannah Way from Cairns through to Mataranka with a few detours (to Lawn Hill etc) over just under 1600km of rough dirt roads with the standard 19" rims on my 2010 TDV6 SE and came away with two dented rims, one quite heavily, from going over a cattle grid that had a rather sudden step up to it.

I was running the standard tyres mind you (which copped an absolute flogging) and running them at around 26-28psi for the rockier surfaces. See picci attached. Replacement rims from Land Rover are just over $800ea (inc GST).

Ouch. Sorry to hear about the rim.
Yeah I priced my rims with about 4 dealers and overseas. Was just under 1000 for 1 rim.
The 18's are a good option.

Smaller rims won't necessarily protect you from bent rims...

Exhibit A:


Thing is, I didn't even notice it happening. I got out to fill up at Bamaga and there it was!!!

M

True, but more depth of sidewall between the tread and the rim has gotta be better (and I'll approach the grids a lot slower from now on!)

Originally Posted by Flexor

Just travelled the Savannah Way from Cairns through to Mataranka with a few detours (to Lawn Hill etc) over just under 1600km of rough dirt roads with the standard 19" rims on my 2010 TDV6 SE and came away with two dented rims, one quite heavily, from going over a cattle grid that had a rather sudden step up to it.

Accidental damage on both rims in the same incident so can't the damage be a single insurance claim?