Thread: Wheel advice 3.0 D4

Originally Posted by GregMilner

I too have the Maxxis 980s, very happy with them in 19". I only use them when doing Kimberley trips, and swap the other rims/road tyres back when we finish each trip. I thought about getting a set of 18s, but for what we do, basically a big trip once a year, wasn't worth the huge expense. The Maxxis on 19s held up well on our recent trip up the Munja Track, which is extremely hard on tyres (lots of sharp rocky jump ups). And we were carrying/towing a lot of weight. With some rigorous attention to airing up and airing down at appropriate times/conditions, you'd be fine with tyres like these (LT rated) on 19s.

A) why do you swap them and not use them all the time?
do you notice any difference in fuel economy or performance on road?
C) what pressures off road are you using? With my Falken lt265 70 16 I use 15psi in sand, 20psi general off roading/rocky, 25psi dirt roads, 30psi tarmac (5psi extra in the back tyres to counter the draws and long range fuel tank)

Mainly because I don’t want to wear out the Maxxis on the blacktop, and I have Goodyear Wranglers for that so may as well use them.

Not really, although I’ve never done a scientific test. The Maxxis are a bit noisier in sealed roads, not that it’s ever bothered me.

off road with the Maxxis, generally 42 rear (cold) and 40 front, when towing and loaded. The rears will reach 46-48 when hot. I’ll air down to 32 rear ( hot) and 25 front on corrugations.

A tip for sand pressures. Go low and the 19” will be ok. I go around 15 front and 18 rear on soft sand. At signs of trouble I go down to 12 and 15. When bogged badly I’ve gone down to 8psi with success. The LR bead never lets you down.
Always remember to turn off DSC (stability control) in the sand or it’ll rob you of forward momentum. And don’t forget to re-turn it off if you stop the engine. The car will enable DSC again - catches out many.

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

A tip for sand pressures. Go low and the 19” will be ok. I go around 15 front and 18 rear on soft sand. At signs of trouble I go down to 12 and 15. When bogged badly I’ve gone down to 8psi with success. The LR bead never lets you down.
Always remember to turn off DSC (stability control) in the sand or it’ll rob you of forward momentum. And don’t forget to re-turn it off if you stop the engine. The car will enable DSC again - catches out many.

Wow, I’ve got a lot to learn about D4 features. Looks like I’ll be reading the owners manual over a cuppa later today. Thanks

I have stuck with 19's & progressed from the OEM's which I chucked at 5000 km to Cooper Zenons & now on to Maxxis.

When I first bought the car I also did the while 19" vs 18" thing but took it a bit further & measured the contact patch of the tyre on the road at various temperatures.
Here is the thread: 18" v 19" v 20" tyre sticky patch size difference? Post Nr 26 gives measurements for an 18" tyre.

I have now covered 100k km with 1 puncture in the Coopers & 1 staked sidewall in the Maxxis which occurred in deep sand tracks.
I guess that it depends on what the vehicle is going to be required to do which dictates the tyre choice. Mine is primarily a tow vehicle for business & is mainly blacktop with access to some sites along dirt roads for some distance. The occasional beach trip or national park trip completes it's duties. I haven't been prevented from going anywhere by my 19's. On the road with the van it is sure footed, brakes & turns well.

I started out worrying about the 19's but just couldn't justify Compomotive 18's. For me it was the right decision.

Thanks Milton. I’ve done lots of googling and I still can’t find a reason that, for our situation, will justify an over $2k purchase to get 18” rims. I think I’ll take the other forumite up on his offer for his old rims & tyres and be done with it. If it doesn’t work out for some reason, all I’ve done is delayed buying newer tyres for another year or 2 while I wait for his Maxxis ones to wear out.

Originally Posted by John_D2

..... an over $2k purchase to get 18” rims....

I agree with the logic from others posted here regarding 18 vs 19 and assessing your needs.

However there is another 18" wheel option that would get you 4 steel wheels for around $900.
Discovery 18" wheels | Land rover 18" rims | Tuffant

I think that if you do enough remote offroad and/or beach driving 18s are still worth it.

Cheers,
Scott

Originally Posted by John_D2

Wow, I’ve got a lot to learn about D4 features. Looks like I’ll be reading the owners manual over a cuppa later today. Thanks

There's a pretty good FAQ thread in the Sticky section that you should read.
The AULRO Discovery 3/4 & RRS FAQ