Thread: A/T Tyres for a D3

Thanks guys....... based on all this and the type of off roading I am likely to do the grabbers seem to be the way to go......

That said, for various reasons, I do like the idea of a slightly larger tyre....... 265/60-18 for example...... by my calcs these are 10mm wider and the rolling diameter is increased by 12mm. Now I understand the insurance company kicking up a fuss if I put a set of 35 inchers on the vehicle, but is increasing the tyre size by 12mm really considered "modifying" the vehicle? Forgive my ignorance here, but my local knowledge is still a bit limited…….

I think in most states you're still allowed to fit tyres up to 50mm larger in diameter to a 4wd - check with your local road traffic authority.

Cheers,

Gordon

Originally Posted by gghaggis

I think in most states you're still allowed to fit tyres up to 50mm larger in diameter to a 4wd - check with your local road traffic authority.

Cheers,

Gordon

15mm in QLD

Originally Posted by DiscoSaffa

Thanks guys....... based on all this and the type of off roading I am likely to do the grabbers seem to be the way to go......

That said, for various reasons, I do like the idea of a slightly larger tyre....... 265/60-18 for example...... by my calcs these are 10mm wider and the rolling diameter is increased by 12mm. Now I understand the insurance company kicking up a fuss if I put a set of 35 inchers on the vehicle, but is increasing the tyre size by 12mm really considered "modifying" the vehicle? Forgive my ignorance here, but my local knowledge is still a bit limited…….

Ring your insurance company first and find out what they consider modifying the vehicle to be. My understanding is that using tyres that are a different size to those originally fitted to the vehicle definitely constitutes modifying the vehicle in the eyes of an insurance company. Usually if you tell them they'll be fine about it and not charge you any extra, but I'd tell them just to be on the safe side.

In my experience, if you have a large enough claim, they will try everything to wriggle out of it. I've seen cars (in the UK) scrutinised for modifications or anything that would make it unfit for use on the road so that they don't have to pay up. It's amazing what they can find if the claim's big enough - even on a new car.

Originally Posted by gghaggis

I think in most states you're still allowed to fit tyres up to 50mm larger in diameter to a 4wd - check with your local road traffic authority.

Cheers,

Gordon

True, but that's only what you're allowed to do before having to have the vehicle inspected or 'Engineered' as specified by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure (Dept of Transport now).

Notifying your insurance company of vehicle modifications is a different matter altogether. Try running into the back of a Bugatti Veyron at the lights and see how much attention they pay to the vehicles tyre sizes then!!

Jon

Originally Posted by WhiteD3

15mm in QLD

15mm in NSW as well!
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registrati...vsi09_rev4.pdf

FWIW, I have Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S in 265/60R18 on mine. Very happy with them and having 55,000km on the first set I had, put another set of them on. I actually kept the two rear tyres for spare carcasses - could have just replaced the two fronts, but wanted some spares for trips.

Originally Posted by jonesy63

15mm in NSW as well!
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registrati...vsi09_rev4.pdf

FWIW, I have Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S in 265/60R18 on mine. Very happy with them and having 55,000km on the first set I had, put another set of them on. I actually kept the two rear tyres for spare carcasses - could have just replaced the two fronts, but wanted some spares for trips.

Hi Jonesy,

I don't want to seem like I'm on a crusade regarding tyre legality or anything . But as this forum is in the public domain and readable for years to come by anybody who can Google, I feel it's worth pointing out the following:

I know people like and use the Geolanders, but strictly speaking the 265/60R18 Geolander A/T-S is an illegal fitment on a D3 due to it's inadequate load rating.

For example, an extract from your pdf link:

"Tyre load rating

Any replacement tyre must have a load rating equal to or better than the rating of the original tyres fitted by the vehicle manufacturer. This information is available from the tyre placard or the vehicle manufacturer."

The tyre placard on a D3 and the owners manual state that 18" tyres should have a load rating of 112, in line with that the Goodyear Wranglers that your car would have originally been factory fitted with had a load rating of 112.

Unfortunately the 265/60/18 Geolanders have a load rating of 110. Only very slightly less, but in the eyes of the law they are an illegal fitment on the D3 and something potential purchasers should be aware of.

Jon

Thanks Jon - read the tyre placard - you will see the minimum tyre rating in Australia is 109. Why they make it 112 in the UK is beyond me. Those genius engineers at LR must believe they have "sharp mud" or something up there!

FYI, a tyre loading of 109 equates to a weight of 1040kg per wheel. What is the loading of the wheel that LR provides as standard? 940kg.

Yes - I feel plenty safe in recommending any 109+ rated tyre.

Originally Posted by jonesy63

Thanks Jon - read the tyre placard - you will see the minimum tyre rating in Australia is 109. Why they make it 112 in the UK is beyond me. Those genius engineers at LR must believe they have "sharp mud" or something up there!

FYI, a tyre loading of 109 equates to a weight of 1040kg per wheel. What is the loading of the wheel that LR provides as standard? 940kg.

Yes - I feel plenty safe in recommending any 109+ rated tyre.

Is that for the 18" tyre though? When I bought tyres for mine I went through this in detail and 112 was the minimum. I'm 100% certain that the tyre placard on my Australian delivered 05 TDV6 SE (with standard 18" rims) said 112. Unfortunatley I can't check the tyre placard or owners handbook anymore as I've since sold the car.

My understanding is that the tyre load rating for vehicles supplied with 17" and 19" rims was slightly less, but not for those supplied with 18" rims.

I'm happy to stand corrected on this one

Jon