Why Not Start a D4 Tyre Thread?

[DieselLSE]

Just when you thought it was safe to enter the workshop again...

I run two sets of wheels on the D4:
1. 19" factory wheels with Pirelli ATR Scorpions 255 x 55R19 (111 load rating = 1,090Kg = Landrover spec)
2. 18" Compomotives with Kumho Road Venture MT51 LT265 x 60R18 (119 = 1,360Kg)

Both sets have performed as I expected but both are due for replacement. The Pirellis have covered 56,000km of mainly on road and some dirt road driving with a little bit of off road. They probably have another 10,000km or more in them, particularly as they get rotated each 10,000km or so but after 5 years I'm very happy with their life span and happy to replace them, perhaps as winter approaches. They have been very quiet on the highway, although a bit noisy now as they are wearing down.
The MT51s have done about 25,000km and only used on the highway to get to where they should be used. They have been great in the high country and on rough outback roads. I would keep them, but two have sidewall damage and I've been advised not to use them on road as they could blow with heat damage. They are noisy on road as you'd expect. Doesn't worry me but SWMBO finds it annoying.

So, what's the problem? I'm just getting a bit too old to be changing these heavy wheels. Agreed, it doesn't happen all that often, but if, say, I decided to head bush tomorrow, then I'd have to change the wheels over tonight and change them back when I got back. I've seen how much the Scorpion sidewalls bulge on rocks and it wouldn't take much to split them.

So, what I'm thinking of doing is dropping the 19" wheels altogether and putting a more AT style LT constructed tyre on the 18" Compomotives. That is, a less aggressive but still suitable off-road tread. Size will remain at 265 x 60R18. I see no point in a wider tyre although I admit I would like as much sidewall as I can get.
Now, I know the LT construction and higher 119 or 120 load rating will make for a noisier and stiffer ride than a road biased tyre, but that's OK.
So, I'm looking at something like Goodyear Tyres Wrangler DuraTrac RT | Tyrepower Moorabbin or WILDPEAK AT3W - Falken Tyres Australia or Maxxis RAZR AT811 | Tyrepower Moorabbin or Kumho Tyres ROAD VENTURE AT52 | Tyrepower Moorabbin

However, just to contradict myself, I do note that there are now two 19" 255 x 55LT tyres available. The Maxxis AT980 BRAVO and Wrangler DuraTrac RT, both with 115 load rating.

Anyway, I'd appreciate your comments.

[Tombie]

Radar Renagade RT+ are another great option for a sudo-agressive tyre that isnt too noisy (easy to live with)

I've run them and was happy, though I have just switched back to AT3W for the 3rd time and enjyong the quieter ride.

[goldey]

Another tick for the Wildpeak AT3Ws from me. I had them on the 20" 'bling' rims until I secured the 18" tuffants (with worn out Maxxis tyres) that I am now just about to install 265/65R18s on (I have a 2inch lift already so the slightly bigger size is fine). One caveat is that there is an LT version of the Wildpeaks in this size that I am considering, but will likely remain with the 'standard' Wildpeaks. And yes, I got rid of the 20" rims when I got the 18's. I saw no point in having two sets.
Cheers
Goldey

[discomatt69]

Another tick for the Wildpeak AT3Ws from me. I had them on the 20" 'bling' rims until I secured the 18" tuffants (with worn out Maxxis tyres) that I am now just about to install 265/65R18s on (I have a 2inch lift already so the slightly bigger size is fine). One caveat is that there is an LT version of the Wildpeaks in this size that I am considering, but will likely remain with the 'standard' Wildpeaks. And yes, I got rid of the 20" rims when I got the 18's. I saw no point in having two sets.
Cheers
Goldey

A 2 inch lift? Please explain, body lift?
what’s involved ?

I used to run 2 sets, now the 18 and all terrains just stay the n the car all the time

[~Rich~]

I always ran MT's but for my D4 I wanted to keep the quiet somewhat but still have better off road performance than an AT.

I decided on the Nitto Ridge Grappler in a 265/65R18.
They are a Hybrid tyre so they are in between a MT and a AT.
So far I've been really happy with them.

Nitto Ridge Grappler

[DieselLSE]

...I have just switched back to AT3W...

Are you running the 114 rating or the LT 122 load rating?
I note that Rich's Nitto Grapplers (which I wasn't aware of) also have a 122 load rating. I'm not after the load rating so much as the sidewall protection from rocks. I'm just not sure what the compromises are. Does the 122 offer better protection than the 114 or does it simply allow for a greater load (which I don't need as 114 is plenty)? And as the sidewall is less flexible, does that mean a harsher ride both on and off road? Or is a less flexible sidewall better as it is less likely to be cut by rocks?

[shack]

I have had more experience with the failure and success than most, due to my location and roads.

FWIW, tyre load rating is really closely linked to the quality and strength of the tyre.

A low load rating tyre that appears to have good sidewall protection, will not last and resist punctures as good as a high load rating that didn't appear to have extra sidewall protection.

As a general rule I can select what tyres we are going to run by walking through a tyre place and picking up the tyres, if they are light, they don't get a run, you can pretty accurately guess the load rating based on the tyres own weight, the other test is to stand them up and put down weight on them to see how much sidewall bulging you get.

IMO sidewall slashing is a sign of the inability of the tyre to maintain a nice sidewall profile with the quickly changing condition and potholes (even minor ones) of the road surface.

They balloon out, then bingo we have a slashed tyre.

Edit: I should add that high load rating tyres will give you a rougher ride, but if you want less wrecked tyres in the outback, it's the only option.

[goldey]

A 2 inch lift? Please explain, body lift?
what’s involved ?

I used to run 2 sets, now the 18 and all terrains just stay the n the car all the time

The 2 inch lift is a set of shorter height sensing rods (custom made ones then replaced with ones I got online from Island4x4), but I also have a IID Gap tool that I can adjust the height with as well. I've kept it at 2 inch lift with the rods.

[jwb]

I can attest to noise on two options. On my 2013 D4 19" rims I ran Nitto Grappler which were very quiet and mostly used on road. Ran well in high country at 25psi in dry and wet.
Changed to Maxxis Bravo 980 for the LT rating and immediately noticed the humming but no-one else in the car mentioned it. Went well on the Madigan trip which was their major workout before selling the car.
Can't see the Nittos in 19" on their website any more. I got them back in 2017.

[Tombie]

Are you running the 114 rating or the LT 122 load rating?
I note that Rich's Nitto Grapplers (which I wasn't aware of) also have a 122 load rating. I'm not after the load rating so much as the sidewall protection from rocks. I'm just not sure what the compromises are. Does the 122 offer better protection than the 114 or does it simply allow for a greater load (which I don't need as 114 is plenty)? And as the sidewall is less flexible, does that mean a harsher ride both on and off road? Or is a less flexible sidewall better as it is less likely to be cut by rocks?

Just the 114 - no need for the LT at the moment