MT vs AT vs HT in sand

Toasted a few HT during some fun in the sand while in WA last year. They did not cope at all with lowing pressure needed to move in sand. Had AT and MTs on and both worked well at low pressures in Sand. Muds a whole world of MT only I think. Agree with Toomie re low range higher gear. Did test the AT replacement I put on my D3 in Ceduna in some soft SA sand. No issues at all.

Yep low range on soft sand.

As for tread, HT floats nicely but the problem comes when climbing or trying to move (little climb) out of wheel ruts...with HT you have to slow right down then accelerate fairly hard to climb out. With AT it grips and pulls out at higher speeds very well.

Cheers

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Originally Posted by Tombie

Never tried it hey.... [emoji1787]

Muddies work magnificent on sand. I even had a friend who was a non-believer bring his Centipedes to Robe. We fitted them, aired them down and off he went.

Then I told him to stomp on the throttle - started digging.

I’ve climbed a Coffin Bay Dune at idle on Muddies... none of the AT guys could get close with a run up!

Simply, if you are good at throttle control and reading your vehicle - muddies will make sand work easy. If you think the throttle in binary - problems will occur [emoji41]

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Had BFG MTs on the D1, but I think the current Hankook ATs on the Defender are better on sand, although the sizes are different.
Sidewall stiffness and the length of tread when aired down are the main differences I think.
The BFG MTs were wider with very stiff sidewalls and had to be dropped to 15-16 psi on the dunes in The Simpson and the chunky tread dug big holes.
The Hankook ATs are taller tyres with softer sidewalls and smaller tread blocks and they work well at about 20 psi.
Just my experiences. Everyone has a different opinion.

Thanks All - interesting reading , think my biggest issue was the way i drove , sounds like i was a bit heavy with the loud peddle and dug myself in. The fact the twin locked prado had dug trenches didnt help as when i stopped i just happened to be in his trench he just got out of.

Lesson learnt and more practice with the D3 needed i think. considering how well i was going compared to the prado i was impressed , just a shame there was no room to go past as i could have easily.

Bulletman

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tombie

Never tried it hey.... [emoji1787]

Muddies work magnificent on sand. I even had a friend who was a non-believer bring his Centipedes to Robe. We fitted them, aired them down and off he went.

Then I told him to stomp on the throttle - started digging.

I’ve climbed a Coffin Bay Dune at idle on Muddies... none of the AT guys could get close with a run up!

Simply, if you are good at throttle control and reading your vehicle - muddies will make sand work easy. If you think the throttle in binary - problems will occur [emoji41]

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Yes! I've run Simex Jungle Trekkers at Stockton and Fraser Island and they're both no problems. Actually they chattered on the beach sand at Fraser which surprised me. I think on soft sand they do really float and drive, but not as well as a big fat tyre with a lot of edge. On harder sand they actually grab and can get into a spin/grip situation pretty easily. When deflating you just count the number of lugs on the ground. :lol2:

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Originally Posted by libertyts

Yup, a slightly less aggressive AT is my choice for sand if I can. In theory good HT's can be good in sand as well. However, airing HT's down is a bit risky really, they aren't designed for it at all.

So the AT's are the choice.

As you have experienced, MT's tend to dig down into the sand. In the end that's exactly what they are designed to do in mud to get to a more solid surface below. I have run MT's on sand many times and have done fine by airing down a little further than I normally would. However it still isn't a "perfect" experience.

In the end, the D3/4 are fairly heavy, which certainly makes tyre selection a bit more critical in the soft stuff.

If I was made of money I would love to have a set of rims for each style and swap out depending on what I'm doing. Unfortunately, the missus disagrees and thinks eating and clothing the children is more important than situational optimal tyre selection!?!?!

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Hi, i have a spare set of 18 inch D3 rims.. Sitting for 3 yrs now, going cheap..

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Originally Posted by pbullen

Hi, i have a spare set of 18 inch D3 rims.. Sitting for 3 yrs now, going cheap..

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Cheeky bugger! Hahaha. I'm not up for getting in trouble today. :)

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Originally Posted by Bulletman

Thanks All - interesting reading , think my biggest issue was the way i drove , sounds like i was a bit heavy with the loud peddle and dug myself in. The fact the twin locked prado had dug trenches didnt help as when i stopped i just happened to be in his trench he just got out of.

Lesson learnt and more practice with the D3 needed i think. considering how well i was going compared to the prado i was impressed , just a shame there was no room to go past as i could have easily.

Bulletman

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You certainly could go to lower pressure. I go straight to 15 and have been down to 10 when needed. That was in my 3 with kaymar bar- two spare wheels and long range tank so a bit a weight and it was awesome on sand. The 4 will be better with the extra power just haven't yet had it in the same soft deep sand to compare.

Apart from lowering pressures, it's also smart to pick a set of wheel tracks and stay in them, as previous vehicles have compressed the sand.

believe profile and pressure and sidewall flex is far more important than pattern
at the end of the day it boils down to the size of the footprint.
found that the smoother the tyre, the more it builds a wave in front of the tyre which is far less noticeable with a MT. i have had far greater success with MT on sand than any other tread but do have to emphasise that some MT tyres have very stiff sidewalls and tend to perform less successfully on sand. i also found the 17" D3 2006 goes further than Discos on 18 or 19" rims.