2014 Range Rover Tyres and Suspension for Australian conditions.

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Originally Posted by CSBrisie

Grant do you know the tow ball weight of that rig when loaded? I'm wrestling with the "issue" that for whatever reason the towball weight on the FFRR is 100kg less than the D4; wondered if you carried greater than 250kg on the ball and had had no issues? I'm aware of warranty, insurance potential issues if we exceed the 250 - but am hoping LR are being conservative; we are looking at buying an off road caravan - probably second hand Bushtracker 18 foot (family van) - read Heavy - 3-3500kg laden; and the only real concern I have is tow ball weight given the 250kg listed for the car. Not sure if anyone on here has any views? We have looked at a few other lighter makes of van - but keep coming back to a BT based on reputation for being bullet proof and incredible resale value.

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Sorry for late reply Chris, I have been away! I do not know the ball of the big trailer as we loaded it in a different way every time. We always were empathetic to the drag on the ball so I am guessing we never exceeded the 200kg! I drove it back from Brisbane to Sydney one night and honestly forgot it was there............I put my foot on the brake and nearly had an accident in my pants when this huge white thing appeared in the brake light reflection in my mirror! Damn Range Rovers.........so good they are almost dangerous!

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Originally Posted by CSBrisie

Yes that is an excellent point mate - I'm nervous I'm going to be one of the first attempting roads like the Plenty, with a full RR and a heavy van, all on Cooper LTZ 20's and it's not making me comfortable. Suddenly the LC 200 series looks somewhat more sensible ...or Disco 4 on GOE 18's with LTZ tyres ..... Big sigh :(

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Chris, I have been searching the internet for 7 months now and and cant find an answer to my desire to fit smaller wheels on my TDV8 due to the massive front callipers. I have a question though......I have done the best "at a glance" study I can of the Disco 4 flares and I reckon the outside profile would fit the RR - does anyone know? Also, if you had some 25mm wheel spacers made front and rear and then had a wheel with significant positive offset, you could have the whole thing sit outboard of the brakes and not sit over the top of them. The wheel would be a maximum of 9-9.5" diameter and that would limit the width of the tyre, but it should work. I own a tyre shop in Brisbane so I am going to muck around with it next time I am up there. If the mechanical bits work OK, then I'll worry about the flares.

Can you simply carry a 2nd spare wheel and a carcase or 2 on a roof rack? Wheel spacers are outright illegal but fitting discs and calipers from a lesser spec of the same model that allow the 18" rims (if available) might be an option.

The GOE 18's are the logical option as they fit the guards, have a higher load index than stock wheels and are proven. So the logical option for MY11 onwards vehicles is to replace the (front only - rear are ok) brake discs with the smaller (MY08) ones. I don't know of anyone having done this but it must be possible-problem is you are the going to spend up to $6000 on wheels and Tyres (assume 6 GOE (2 spares) - 6 x LT tyres, plus the brake change. Gulp. :(

I'm going to stick with the (4 new) 285/50/20 Cooper LTZ plus two (new) spares for our trip and go slow and see how we go. It's a calculated risk I guess but I'm going to try and keep bare minimum in the rear of the Vogue (ARB fridge and not much else) and hope I can keep ball weight to 250kg, incl 2 jerry cans of fuel on the A bar. And keep speeds down ;) and tyre pressures not too low to help preserve rims.

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Originally Posted by CSBrisie

I'm going to stick with ....to help preserve rims.

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Sounds like a good plan. Decent sized front mudflaps would be worthwhile too.

Will you take a set of rear shocks?

I'm going to be glued to this thread to ensure I don't miss any of the stories. Actually, really hoping that there will be no "stories" to tell other than you waxing lyrical on the explosions of panoramic delight en route as opposed to explosions involving rubber from tyres or seals from shocks!

Yes, I'll be one happy camper if we get from Boulia to Alice trouble free - for lots of reasons not the least being if we get there drama free we will head back (after doing the usual Red Centre highlights for two weeks) the same way - rather than the much longer "detour" (!) via Tennant Creek. Anyway, focus now is getting the Caravan - the right caravan - which is consuming much of my grey matter at present I can tell you, - securing the "best" family Van (2nd hand)we can for c$60K.
cheers

Planning to match Caravan rims to vehicle ?

No, will have two spares on any Van we buy, with no doubt 16/17 inch rims and we will fit (if not already) LT strength AT tyres. I dont think the Van is going to be the issue - it will be the 20's on the car that will raise my blood pressure on the Plenty. Reminds me to start researching Tyre Pressure Monitoring systems - I have an old Tyre Dog one but it has played up (sensors) alot and only does 4 wheels / car anyway.

The rest of the trip will be mainly bitumen, other than the Mereenie Loop Road.