Tyres for big lap, General Grabber AT2 255/60R18

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Originally Posted by Richardli;23201 80

Hi All, We are heading on a 12 month big lap of Aus in 4 weeks & were looking for tyres that would suit the trip, Sand/Mud/gravel/tar & towing 3200kg caravan. My local tyre shop is suggesting General Grabber AT2 in a 255/60R18. Would like some feedback from anyone who is running these tyres.

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I have used 9 GG AT2 for the last 200,000km except when really off road in snow and similar where I slip some 17inch MTs on. GG;s are fine in sand as they bag out well at lower pressures. Deep Mud is a issue with all ATs in my opinion. Light mud is fine or chains make them not a issue in mud or snow. No problems with gravel, rock and dirt unless it is semi vertical billy goat territory:D

The GG's have good grip on road Good manners on corners and off road, They wear well, a little more noise than more road type tyres but not an issue in my books. On Road manners are good wet and dry. I do tow a boat of about 3 tonnes several times a year 800km round trip so van should be fine with them

I had a issue in finding two replacement in QLD at xmas so I need to switch to pirelli tyres. I have a single new GGat2 18 inch on the back of my D3 your welcome to if you would like it. I feel finding replacement for any 18 inch tyres can be an issue in most remote locations or even not so remote locations at short notice so one or if possible two spares is a good idea.

Interestingly the pirelli tyres I put on a few weeks ago are quieter but do not give as nice a ride IMO. A few people also report they do not have nice manners on corners in the wet. If 2 new GGs were available last XMAS eve I would still have them on today. A metal spike blew one for me and one was a little scrubbed but had about 80,000km on it. as far as I a aware LT265/70R18 stands for Light TRUCK lol

Not sure if you have the LR removable tow bar or not but it may pay to contact LR AU to see if there are any issues for AU tow bar set up as there now seems to be for the UK as issued by LR , In that the removable tow bar is only recommended for occasional towing , seeing that you are pulling 3200kg for 12 months you don't want to end up in a world of hurt .

I'm sorry but 80,000ks from GG AT2s seems a lot on a D3/D4, mine were shagged after 40,000ks, I had to replace 3 because of punctures, all on one trip to the Vic High Country, the others were shagged, chipped to buggery and I only tow a 1.4t camper.

When we were speaking to the rep about these tyres, his comment was

"yeah, the're not really designed for any serious off roading"

Baz.

697s - 265/60/18 LT = load 114
285/60/18 LT = 118

Grabber AT2s = 255/60R18 112H XL
LT285/60R18 = load 122

Now in my opinion,your 697s in the 265/60 above are very average in strength for an LT, the next size up marginally better which is the one I would be going for if choosing the 697.

The negative remarks for the 255 /60 in the AT2 are justifiable, 112 in an XL rating just wouldnt cut the mustard if doing a "LAP" around OZ, but the 285/60, which fits with minor rubbing (this can be remedied also) is what I would call the minimum for such travels. Evidently these are the tyres I am fitting when my GOE wheels turn up after, SEVERAL hours of reading on 18 inch tyres. I really want the Hancooks in the MT in the 275/65/18, but too many against points for the extra traction in 5 % of time in the saddle.
AT2 in current spec from what I have found are a great tyre, any negatives are found in different sizes and old spec at2 and at tyres.
My 2 cents.

Based on reports here over a long time, I would choose the D697s. I have had both the GG AT and AT2, both good Tyres and happy overall no punctures and good performance, however that probably have a useful life of around 40-50,000 km's and they do get some sidewall damage if you use them in anger offroad.

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Originally Posted by AnD3rew

Based on reports here over a long time, I would choose the D697s. I have had both the GG AT and AT2, both good Tyres and happy overall no punctures and good performance, however that probably have a useful life of around 40-50,000 km's and they do get some sidewall damage if you use them in anger offroad.

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Hi Andrew what size and vintage (year purchased) were your Generals?

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Originally Posted by Wheelan

Hi Andrew what size and vintage (year purchased) were your Generals?

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255/60/18

The AT2s were purchased in 2009, the ATs in about 2012.

Hi all
About to fit my just arrived GEO rims and have read the above with great interest thanks all.
Has anyone had any experience with Hankook Dynapro ATM (RF-10) 265/60/18 please?
Given they are so much cheaper @ $306 I am wondering about the value versus D697s
cheers David

With 114 LI and XL although not LT the 265/60R18 RF-10s might be an alternative. When checked prior to fitment, the middle if the sidewall on my 255/55R19s felt rather thin although the upper section is considerably thicker. However they would need to be because in the 19" size the sidewalls bulge quite a bit.

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Originally Posted by Wheelan

697s - 265/60/18 LT = load 114
285/60/18 LT = 118

Grabber AT2s = 255/60R18 112H XL
LT285/60R18 = load 122

Now in my opinion,your 697s in the 265/60 above are very average in strength for an LT, the next size up marginally better which is the one I would be going for if choosing the 697.

The negative remarks for the 255 /60 in the AT2 are justifiable, 112 in an XL rating just wouldnt cut the mustard if doing a "LAP" around OZ, but the 285/60, which fits with minor rubbing (this can be remedied also) is what I would call the minimum for such travels.

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There are some of us who don't want to fit oversize tyres, so the D697 with a rating of 114 looks pretty good. However the load rating isn't everything. What concerns me about the GGs is the tread. I don't think the compound is good enough to withstand that sort of use, at least not in my experience with the 255s. Bigger sizes may of course be better, but for me and many others, they are irrelevant. For me oversize tyres create compromises I don't like for long distance touring.

Cheers,
Jon