Time for new tyres on TDV6

[pprass]

The tyres that came with our MY15 TDV6 were the standard Goodyear Wrangler HP All Weather 255/55/R19. I didn't think that they were going to be suitable for the trip that we had planned - but the salesman was adamant that they were good tyres and that no one had reported any problems with them.
So after buying the vehicle and preparing it for our trip and still being skeptical we checked with our mechanic who said that we may as well just run them down and then get some "proper" 4wd tyres. So we headed off on our 4 month trip towing a 3.2 tonne van (ATM), crossing quite rough tracks which included 1,200 kms doing the Great Central Rd to Yulara. We lowered the tyre pressures on the car and van for these rough tracks, but being a low profile tyre on the Discovery, I only lowered them down to about 33 psi.
After the crossing of the GCR - where we experienced one totally shredded tyre, we just could not believe the condition of the tread on the other tyres! After just 17,000 kms each tyre was damaged and the centre tread was bald. Also they are now much more susceptible to punctures as I found out yesterday when I drove along a relatively tame mountain track with a few exposed sharp rocks in patches. Well that just confirms what I thought - the Goodyear Wranglers HP AW are not suitable for tough off road conditions - must let the Land Rover salesman know

I am now looking at replacing the tyres with either Hankook Dynapro ATM, General Grabber AT, or the Toyo Open Terrain H/T. No idea which is better for our purposes - but I need a tyre like the Mickey Thompson ATZ P3's that I had on our Nissan Patrol - best tyres I ever owned.

Attached are a couple of photos showing the condition of one of the tyres that was punctured by just driving on a mountain track yesterday.

[SBD4]

In 19's the GG's are OK, they have a very flimsy sidewall and made for very nervous driving of road, Pirelli Scorpion ATRs are a good tyre, just watch out in the wet as they get towards the end of their life. You're not going to get much in 19's.

Although you probably are not in a position to wait, you should seriously consider getting a set of Gordons 18" rims. They'll open up a whole lot more options for you on the tyre front including LTs. That''ll also give you more to play with on pressures.

Green Oval Experience Land Rover training, Range Rover modifcation

[LandyAndy]

17000ks and shot
Mine are almost at 20000ks,probably only 1/4 tread gone.
As you say,they are useless as a rough road tyre.
Look at Goodyear Duratracs,they have been getting a good wrap.
Andrew

[pprass]

... you should seriously consider getting a set of Gordons 18" rims. ..."

I thought that 18" rims would compromise the cooling capacity of the brake discs on the MY15 D4?

[SBD4]

17000ks and shot
Mine are almost at 20000ks,probably only 1/4 tread gone.
As you say,they are useless as a rough road tyre.
Look at Goodyear Duratracs,they have been getting a good wrap.
Andrew

Yes what Andrew said, Goodyear Duratracs, I forgot about those.

I got about 52000km out of my Wranglers. The closer they get to the end of their life the faster they seem to wear.

[SBD4]

I thought that 18" rims would compromise the cooling capacity of the brake discs on the MY15 D4?

No problems there, you can see that they are very open. They will be fine. If in doubt have a chat with Gordon directly.

[pprass]

Look at Goodyear Duratracs,they have been getting a good wrap.

I ignored Goodyear thinking that they didn't have anything for 4wding - but they look good. Now why didn't my dealer suggest those to me when I was discussing tyres

[scomac]

Gordon's 18's are the way to go, if you have a spare $5000 to spend (incl tyres of course)

[LandyAndy]

Gordon's 18's are the way to go, if you have a spare $5000 to spend (incl tyres of course)

pprass,incase you are unaware,Gordons 18" rims are the only rims that fit the 3.0lt D4.
Andrew

[LRD414]

Duratracs get good feedback and here's some feedback on the Hankook Dynapro ATM:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/...napro-atm.html

I agree with the comments re the 18" wheels (I have a set) but given the state of your current tyres perhaps consider the 18s after another set of 19" tyres.

Scott