A tyre question with a difference

[DeeJay]

Currently running new 235x85x16 Goodrich all terrains on the Defender.
She just scrapes- literally- into the garage - with its roofrack (mostly the rear qtr when unloaded) and I am seriously considering 255x85x16 mud terrains.
Am I right thinking that taking them down to -say 15psi- that it will clear, OK?
The overall height difference is 33.1" & 31.7" so the vehicle will be .7" higher.
I could also load a few bluestone blocks onboard- anything would be easier than swapping tyres over.
Is anybody doing this?
David

[Xtreme]

A couple of questions DeeJay:-
1. Does your roof rack have sides and how much clearance does your rack have above the roof of the Deefer?
2. Why do you want to change from the standard 235's? Is it worth the hassels?
3. If you know someone who has 255's could you arrange a wheel swap for say 1 week so you can try the larger tyres before committing to them? I did this and decided against changing from the 235's to the 255's.

[chuck]

I took the roof rack of my car so it will fit in garage.

The tyre size, cleanliness, cool when you get in, protection against storms outweighed the occasional use of the roof platform.

In addition less wind noise and better economy on freeway

[POD]

I have had 255 on the 130 for several years and find the height makes a handy difference in ramp-over and departure angles, but what a pain it would be to up & down tyre pressures every time you came and went, unless you had a central inflation system. I would be looking into airbag suspension with onboard ride-height adjustment. Or you could do what I did- raised my carport roof by about 1200mm. Now I can get the 130 in with the canoe on top.

[Tins]

Or you could do what I did- raised my carport roof by about 1200mm. Now I can get the 130 in with the canoe on top.

There's a thought.. I have to replace the roof on mine. Perhaps I could raise it enough to get the OKA in.....

[Slunnie]

Tusker had a very similar problem years ago. He was looking into Defender air suspension so he could lower the vehicle prior to accessing his work car park.

[Tins]

Tusker had a very similar problem years ago. He was looking into Defender air suspension so he could lower the vehicle prior to accessing his work car park.

Apparently there are other benefits.

[NavyDiver]

I took the roof rack of my car so it will fit in garage.

The tyre size, cleanliness, cool when you get in, protection against storms outweighed the occasional use of the roof platform.

In addition less wind noise and better economy on freeway

I do that on my D3 often. The roof rack is used infrequently and the effort to take the rack of it and get it back on is minor.

A two cheap bike hanger hold the rack in the roof of my carport and make taking it off and and one very quick and light work.

this is the type I have used Delta Single Bike Ceiling Hoist - Bunnings Australia

Got mine from Aldi for about $10 each!

I am thinking of changing from the nut/bolts to this for making it even faster-

Moroso Quick Fasteners, Complete Fastener, Steel, Cadmium Plated, Self-Ejecting, Butterfly Head, 0.650in., Set of 10

I think of that every time I have the alignment issue

[simonfish]

could you not go to a slightly lower profile tyre ? when I purchased my 90 it had 265/75r16, the speedo reading at 60mph was 59.8mph actual, so no major issues there.

Using a tyre comparison website, you could even go to a 70 series tyre (255/70r16) is 57mph actual when the reading is 60mph , just depends if you can find the tyre you want in a size that suits.

[Slunnie]

Thats the trick, how do you have everything! Big tyres and still fit.