18" D697 noise

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Originally Posted by Russrobe

Ouch $150 each?? Is there $600 worth of extra grip there???

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Time will tell. Relative lifespan will come into it as well, which time will also tell.

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Originally Posted by LRD414

I run 265/60/R18 and still have one D697 as the spare.
I haven't had the KO2s long enough for a complete/full comparison (~8k km) across all my usage types (city/highway/4WD track/outback roads/beach)

The KO2s are noisier from new until the D697s get fairly worn and then they make a similar noise too.
It's a typical harmonic type hum at 50-60 kph especially on coasting.
I don't find it annoying or intrusive from either tyre but it is there.

Both tyres have excellent manners on bitumen, both highway driving and city driving. I haven't experienced any tram-tracking.

Offroad. I haven't had the KO2s on for outback touring yet but am hopeful we will get a trip in this year.
This will be a very interesting comparison I think because the D697s really excelled for touring, although I didn't get the same life as others report.

However, I have done a few 4WD'ing trips and used the KO2s on a range of track terrains from scrabbly to rocky to sandy and a little bit of mud.
The KO2s traction in all these situations has been very impressive and I think better than the D697s although I'd say that's still a bit subjective at this stage.
They have handled some pretty sharp rocky sections with barely a mark, which the D697s did as well.

There was a $150/tyre cost difference when I was looking so that is something else that comes in to play.

While I was happy with the 697s the only way to really compare is to do it yourself and I didn't want to die wondering.
If the KO2s handle outback touring like the D697s then they will probably get the overall win due to offering better traction in scrabbly situations.

Cheers,
Scott

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Similar feedback on K02s after 5k from new - yes a definite harmonic hum (a rumble?) between 50-60kph - enough to be able to used as an audible speedometer! But not enough to be annoying.
Excellent on gravel.
Need to go lower pressures by a couple of psi on sand, as they tend to "bite" harder rather than float vs a standard highway terrain tyre.

Okay, D697's about half worn, returning to Adelaide from Hamilton (Vic) via Harrow, Edenhope and Naracoorte a couple of weekends ago, the rain & wind was very ugly, a lot of water on the road and in puddles on the near side. I was towing the van (3.2 T) so had already dropped to 80 kph because of the overall conditions but also because on quite a few occasions the fronts, particularly the LH Front aquaplaned, had both fronts do it about 50km out of Kieth, SWMBO was wide eyed and nearly dropped a stitch on the knitting [bigsad]. Never had it before, has anyone else experienced it, any comments on their wet weather performance? Particularly as they wear a bit? Must stress, there was a lot of water, but still, I am wondering.

Thanks

Peter

Don't forget that the significant weight on the tow-ball from a heavy van reduces the weight on the front and therefore grip in marginal situations.

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Originally Posted by Graeme

Don't forget that the significant weight on the tow-ball from a heavy van reduces the weight on the front and therefore grip in marginal situations.

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Yes, true. Never noticed it with the standard Pirelli but then totally different type of tyre. Which raises another question, has any one measured corner weights?

Taking Graeme's point about the heavy van on the tow ball, I'm now using the idea of DROPPING the front tyres pressures a few PSI, about 3, because of the loss of some weight off the front wheels. Seems to work really well.
Also, add 4 or 5 PSI to the front tyres on the van.
All adds to the great towing experience of the Disco, and no WDH in sight!

Regards
Trevor

I have the front tyres on my dual axle van at slightly lower pressure than the rear to discourage van tail-wagging, not that the van has exhibited any such tendency to date.

Graeme
My understanding is that the fronts should be higher than the rear, not lower, because of the extra heat build up of the front tyres due to the extra work they do.

Have a look at this

Varying tyre pressures in Tandem Van to reduce Sway - Page 2 - Caravaners Forum

Regards

I didn't read the whole thread but CR was advocating never having the front higher than the rear. I run my 2.5t van tyres at around 32 front and 34 rear for 100 kph sealed roads.

Graeme

My mistake. I just re-read the post and checked my tyres, and yes the front should be LOWER than the rears.

Not my first seniors moment today, probably wont be my last.

Today I fitted new pads front and rear, and new pad wear sensors. However, I fitted the front sensor to the pads before I fitted the caliper and ended up breaking the sensor. Bugger.

Also, who designed the pad sensor wiring!!! I have to remove the wheel arch cover just to plug the end of the sensor in. Stupid!!

Regards