Not Another tyre question.

[dirvine]

I am soon to go off on a trip and need to purchase new tyres for my new 18"rims. I have looked on many web sites for 265/65/18 BF Goodrich TA KO. I am NOT interested in any other tyre. The issue is that some companies (tyresales.com.au) import cheap BA's at that size with a rating of 117R and no LT. They are priced at $330. The 119/122 are LT construction and are $386. I was told the non LT are imported from overseas, and would have a less strong side wall. Yet when I get on the internet and google them, they state the lower rating ones are just as heavy in weight as the LT ones. I would have thought the LT would be heavier. As the rating is so close (117cmf 119/122) I wonder is it worth an extra $280 for 5 tyres? Other than the cheaper ones not being supported by BF Australia (and really what support do we really get?) is there any compelling reason I am missing why I should outlay the extra cash?

[scarry]

Where are the cheap ones made?
The genuine ones are made in the US.

You could ring BFG,they have a customer support line and ask them for their opinion,but i can guess what they will say.

They won't be very happy about it no doubt,and it could give them a bad name if they aren't as good as the made in US ones.

As for the weight,who knows?

I wouldn't stuff around,i would get the genuine made in the US ones,but thats me.

One destroyed tyre is worth more than $280,and then there is the inconvenience.

[Russrobe]

I found every price on that tyresales.com.au to be a massive rip off. Could get it at least 25% cheaper at a local franchise, make sure you add the fitting charge, and if you plan on getting them fitted yourself remember you've added an extra party when it comes to making warranty claims (which are already difficult at times with tyres). Personally I'd avoid buying tyres at this price range online.

On LT spec, after what I've put mine through over the last 12 months, I wouldn't buy anything else but light truck. The increased strength actually comes from the ply thickness, not that of the sidewall, with most LT's having a min of 8ply and some with 10ply.

The more strength I can get to the contact patch the better IMO, others may or may not agree, but the LT's i'm currently running have been bullet proof. Also depends on what you plan on carrying, I usually sit right on the limit of GVM and therefore even an incremental load rating increase is beneficial.

Remembering that $30 spent in the city could save you $300 in the bush, people can charge whatever they like out there, not to mention price of freight if you have to fly one in which is also likely.

[Tombie]

Slight correction - minimum 8 ply *rating* or 10 ply *rating*

Usually only 2 or 3 actual “plies” are fitted.

[Russrobe]

Slight correction - minimum 8 ply *rating* or 10 ply *rating*

Usually only 2 or 3 actual “plies” are fitted.

Without the LT rating though, tyres are not required to meet the equivalent 8 ply rating, correct? And if they did meet it they would advertise it as LT therefore without it you have a slightly weaker ply rating...

[RHS58]

So, do the sums.
An extra $280 for 5 probably better tyres.
Lets say they last 3 years.
What does that work out at?
$93.33 per year.
$1.75 per week.
36 cents per tire per week.
Thats not much for peace of mind, eh?

[Russrobe]

So, do the sums.
An extra $280 for 5 probably better tyres.
Lets say they last 3 years.
What does that work out at?
$93.33 per year.
$1.75 per week.
36 cents per tire per week.
Thats not much for peace of mind, eh?

Blowout a tyre at 80kmh on corrugations and you could end up in a ditch. So the tyre would be the last of your worries and cheapest of your expenses

Just saying if you think you will be pushing the gvm limits then yes it is worth getting a higher ply rated tyre. With a higher load rating. Simple logic really.
Who said the spare has to have the higher rating for one. Mine was second had and free so deduct 20% from your $280 Then factor in what it's going to cost to replace the blown out tyre that you may not have had... $350??
Besides all I've done is laid out some reasons why I prefer the LT, all you've done is type a useless already known expense. Congratulations.

[dirvine]

Having now googled around the world a bit more, it appears these tyres can be bought in UK, Germany, South Africa. All are on BF Goodrich sites so they must be a legit tyre. In regards to LT or not, from my limited knowledge, it appears that a rating over 114 seems to imply LT "Strength". I note a number of people on this site have Nitto tyres and these are rated at 112 to 114, so I feel that these tyres are higher rated than some other brands that others recommend. Yes I could have a blowout, yes its only XX cents per day, but other than a small difference in rating, (which is a higher rating than other brands), I am still not convinced that there is a big difference. I have rung BF Australia, and they say they do not import nor do they support this tyre in Australia as they believe it is not suitable for our conditions. However they did acknowledge that the tyre is available in many other countries and providing I am careful about lower end pressures, the tyre would in all probability be suitable for me. So I am biting the bullet and ordering them. Thanks for everybodys' input.

[Tombie]

Look forward to hearing of your experience with them.

[101RRS]

Of course they are a legit BFG tyre made in the US - they are just not a model brought in by BFG Australia - hence the grey imports. I would personally go the LTs but really if the load rating is correct and your happy with them then they will be fine - it is not as if they are a sub standard tyre - they are just a different model.

I have passenger grade tyres on my vehicle of a higher load rating than is needed and they are fine. Wary in rough country where sidewalls might get damaged but no issues - remember that LTs have a stiffer sidewall so do not dissipate heat as well as passenger grade tyres so in some circumstances the "P" rated tyres might be more suitable but there is not much in it.

If you think you need LTs then get them, if not I am sure the non BFG LTs will be fine - similar issue on the Bridsgestones - same tyre available in LT or Passenger only this time both are brought in Bridgstone so no grey import.