Thread: 19" Maxxis AT Tyres

Originally Posted by JamesH

So, I'm gleaning that you decided to go with the General Grabbers because they were a bit more "user friendly" than the Maxxis on the bitumen or are there other reasons? Too late for me I have gone the Maxxis and they are definitely noiser than my (silent) OEM Goodyears. At the time there was not enough info on Grabbers for me to make the call, the Maxxis came out with LT construction just as I was in the market so I took them. A mate has got some General Grabbers on his D4 but that would be the old model. He loves them so far but has not tested them on a rough road. The trip we take along the GCR and then Buchanan Highway in July will be a good comparison and where they get tested. He will be towing a camper trailer but I won't, so it will be good to see how we go.

Honestly if he goes alright on the Grabbers, even if my Maxxis are also good, I will be sorely tempted to put grabbers on next due to the noise of the Maxxis. I don't hate them, but I'll take a quieter tyre that does the job.

Hi James
I could see the advantages of the Maxxis LT capabilities but as my driving is 80/20 (bitumen/gravel or sand roads) I was concerned about loosing some of the D4 advantages of covering distances with ease in the big tours we are doing in our early retirement years. I wore the OME Goodyears out at about 40k, 15k after I brought the D4. They were not coping with the Kimberley Karavan very well. The Pirellis were a step up but I got 4 slow punctures in the Pilbara last year and the tyres also got badly chipped but that was mainly on a road under construction between Mt Augustus and Tom Price. So yes I do see, at this point, the GG AT3 being more "user friendly" than the Maxxis and also a little "stronger" that the Pirelli. My mechanic has a customer who got 100k on bitumen out of the old GG AT so I hope I can get better the 40k mark. I think the Karavan's weight and independent suspension are hard on the D4 rear tyres so 100k is not even thinkable.

I have just put BFGoodrich KO2s on the Karavan replacing old KOs so this years big trip will be a real test of the new tyre designs. I invested in a 8 sensor TPMS to help protect the investment. They are the valve cap type so got short rubber valve stems fitted to better keep them out of harms way.

It will be interesting to compare our tyre tests later in the year.

Originally Posted by Lloyd

I think the Karavan's weight and independent suspension are hard on the D4 rear tyres so 100k is not even thinkable.

I have just put BFGoodrich KO2s on the Karavan...

Towing anything slightly heavy is hard on the rear tyres of any vehicle including full-time 4wd vehicles, let alone towing on gravel.

I assume that fitting KO2s to the van is purely for their casing strength rather than anything to with their tread pattern. Their tread pattern is a disadvantage rather than an advantage on the van unless they can be used as spares on the tow vehicle.

Originally Posted by Graeme

Towing anything slightly heavy is hard on the rear tyres of any vehicle including full-time 4wd vehicles, let alone towing on gravel.

I assume that fitting KO2s to the van is purely for their casing strength rather than anything to with their tread pattern. Their tread pattern is a disadvantage rather than an advantage on the van unless they can be used as spares on the tow vehicle.

Hi Graeme
My trailer KO2s are on 16" rims as the Kimberley 2 ton bearings are incompatible with LR small wheel centres, although Kimberley is about to release a LR, VW, BMW etc small 2 ton hub this year. This is good news but will be expensive to retro fit but possible. New van coming up??? Kimberley also moving to ventilated disc rotors to reduce fade. Till now, they have recommended LR owners sticking to steel rims at 16" and not encouraged using alloy rims. They appear to be softening this position in response to customer demand and auto manufacture trends. The owner of Kimberley is also a Range Rover owner so this has helped them understand the benefits of compatible tyres and rims on tug/trailer.

I stuck with the BFGoodrich as I had a good run with KOs on a previous Kimberley Kamper and on the current Karavan and it was also Kimberley's recommended tyre to cope with the 2200 Kg ATM off road. I think the KO tread pattern on the trailers have helped a few times on gravel road bends with reverse cambers (and probably to much speed) had trailer moving off the firm wheel tracks into the soft edges. Keeping steady throttle pulls them back and my heart starts beating again. BFG are claiming the KO2s are 20% tougher sidewalls, 15% more treadlife on road, 2 x longer on Gravel, and 10% more mud traction. KO2s are not offered in 19". This years GRR trip will quickly test the improved chip resistance etc....

Had to get some tyres in a hurry. Thanks for the comments in this thread it helped me choose the General Grabber AT3. I think they'll do the job.
GG AT3 2.jpgGGAT3 1.jpg

Interesting from the KK site


Kimberley Karavans - Offroad Wheels and Tyres Advice

Last time i saw them at the camping show they were all shod with BFG A/T's as standard

Hi All,
First post so probably doing this incorrectly.
Background - purchased a Disco 4 2011 with 82K on the clock last December to tug my 21.5' van that will be around 3T when loaded. Was planning to head for the Flinders Ranges late last month so after reviewing these wonderful forums went with the General Grabbers AT3, paid $315 ea for 5. Found an original all weather spare in new condition on Gumtree so took that as the 6th wheel.
I have fitted the Disco with ECB alloy bar, radio, safari snorkel and pioneer rack.
The AT3s were quiet and worked well in the Flinders Ranges. I did lower the pressure slightly while doing some normal good gravel road touring while not towing. Very comfortable.
Two weeks ago I left to go 4 WD with no van in the Vic High Country, joining 6 vehicles from NSW and a Disco 3 from SA. The tracks were rough and on the first day I followed the group in lowering pressure to around 27PSI. Late in the afternoon I shredded a rear tyre, the side wall was destroyed.
I replaced it with the spare AT3 and upped all pressures to 36/42PSI. I arranged for a replacement at Mansfield and had this fitted 2 days later.
Over the remainder of the trip I had two more wall failures on the AT3s, so not very happy with them. No other vehicle had any tyre issues, despite the rough conditions. Came out with no spare available and needing to replace the two AT3s on the roof.
I am considering either looking at the 18" rims as a spare set but if the 19" Maxxis LTs are working out OK then would prefer to go that way.
I don't normally do extreme 4WD, I prefer to tour and then walk but this same group is looking at Binns track for next year and I would like to be set up to join them.
I would like to hear how the Maxxis 19LT's have performed
David

I had (still have) Maxis on my old rims. First time I used them in the high country (Mt Margaret) I got a cut on the side wall. I had lowered the pressure to 30. After that I said bugger it and now I never lower the pressure on 4WD tracks. Stays at somewhere between 45-50. Since then no more damage. On good dirt roads (ie Kalgoolie to Winton) I lowered the pressure to 40, but I was towing a caravan. Now have 18" and will follow a more conventional approach of 25-30 in 4WD mode and see what happens. I have done 30,000 kms on them

Originally Posted by Bubbledriver

Hi All,
First post so probably doing this incorrectly.
Background - purchased a Disco 4 2011 with 82K on the clock last December to tug my 21.5' van that will be around 3T when loaded. Was planning to head for the Flinders Ranges late last month so after reviewing these wonderful forums went with the General Grabbers AT3, paid $315 ea for 5. Found an original all weather spare in new condition on Gumtree so took that as the 6th wheel.
I have fitted the Disco with ECB alloy bar, radio, safari snorkel and pioneer rack.
The AT3s were quiet and worked well in the Flinders Ranges. I did lower the pressure slightly while doing some normal good gravel road touring while not towing. Very comfortable.
Two weeks ago I left to go 4 WD with no van in the Vic High Country, joining 6 vehicles from NSW and a Disco 3 from SA. The tracks were rough and on the first day I followed the group in lowering pressure to around 27PSI. Late in the afternoon I shredded a rear tyre, the side wall was destroyed.
I replaced it with the spare AT3 and upped all pressures to 36/42PSI. I arranged for a replacement at Mansfield and had this fitted 2 days later.
Over the remainder of the trip I had two more wall failures on the AT3s, so not very happy with them. No other vehicle had any tyre issues, despite the rough conditions. Came out with no spare available and needing to replace the two AT3s on the roof.
I am considering either looking at the 18" rims as a spare set but if the 19" Maxxis LTs are working out OK then would prefer to go that way.
I don't normally do extreme 4WD, I prefer to tour and then walk but this same group is looking at Binns track for next year and I would like to be set up to join them.
I would like to hear how the Maxxis 19LT's have performed
David

David,
I have the 19" Maxxis LT on my D4 we traveled through WA last year and went through Gibb river road as well as many other rough roads. We were towing a 18'6" off road van through grr and had no issues with the Maxxis tyres. Basically used the lower tyre pressure on the tyre placard through the bad roads, drove to the conditions and didn't have any issues. I definitely would fit these again, but need to rotate them as the rear tyre has worn because of the Van load.
Cheers
Greg