Thread: best tyres for kimberly trip

Hi Bob,

I drove a SIII in the Kimberly for 5 years, so used 7.50x16 crossply tyres. Obviously not the choice for a D2. What I can say though is that even a road tyre will do fine. Obviously some extra grip of loose enscarpments and river beds is better, but tyre pressure can assist there. Basically I found that in northern Australia, the biggest advantage was ground clearance. Once it started getting wet, mud tyres were only going to get you another 20 meters into the black soil before you'd be bogged anyway.

Last year I drove the Defender to the Flinders Ranges & Lake Eyre, running Maxxis 751 ATs and at 30psi it sailed comfortably over about 1,000 kms of dirt / corrugated roads.

If I was going to take my D2 up I wouldn't bother changing the road tyres on it. Though if I was going to stay there permanently, I might look at Michelins for the sake of longevity.

If you have a roof rack, take a 2nd tyre and some tyre pliers, instead of a 2nd wheel, to save on weight. I'd recommend inflating a tube inside the spare, that way it'll stay in shape while you lash it down, plus the tube will stop water or dust gathering inside the tyre, pplus you can use the tube if you need to. Or you can just use it to float in a waterhole.

Originally Posted by bob10

Thank you, Pierre, I'll take that on board. As for the other, I'll throw this in the ring- Woman at sea on Warships? Big mistake. Bob

Right again Bob but that's the way of the new world,good,bad or indifferent doesn't matter anymore.
John

[QUOTE=Michael2;

"If I was going to take my D2 up I wouldn't bother changing the road tyres on it. Though if I was going to stay there permanently, I might look at Michelins for the sake of longevity.

If you have a roof rack, take a 2nd tyre and some tyre pliers, instead of a 2nd wheel, to save on weight. I'd recommend inflating a tube inside the spare, that way it'll stay in shape while you lash it down, plus the tube will stop water or dust gathering inside the tyre, pplus you can use the tube if you need to. Or you can just use it to float in a waterhole".[/QUOTE]

Good idea, Michael, I never would have thought of that. I have a 7x4 trailer with 500 mm. sides, heavy duty axle, heavy duty springs, 6 stud 16" wheels, built solid from a kit, which I'm intending to carry extra fuel, tent, etc, to keep the D2 load light. I have Maxxis245/75R16 120/116q AT771, which, from what I read here now, I intend to put on the trailer, [15,000 km's on them now.]and get new tyres for the trip.The same Maxxis, if possible, seems to be the way to go. Two spares each, car/trailer,3 of which bolted upright to the inside of the trailer on a solid frame , the frame also being part of a structure fitted to carry a 12ft tinnie. A large lockable toolbox, to complement the car toolbox, with room for a small generator, welder, and oils, spares.[ thats Plan A ] I will carry spare tubes, tyre repair kit, compressor, battery charger[ kitchen sink?] Getting excited just thinking about it! Bob

Originally Posted by Michael2

Hi Bob,

I drove a SIII in the Kimberly for 5 years, so used 7.50x16 crossply tyres.

Another vote for the 7.50x16 crossplies.

I suspect that a lot of tyre failures have more to do with the driving style than the choice of tyre.

I had no problem with 7.50x16 crossply retreads on my Series III over 16,000km from southern NSW, up the Oodnadatta Track, the Tanami, The Gibb River Road, Mitchell Falls, the Fitzroy Highway and the Stuart Highway.

Probably any decent tyre would do the job if you keep the weight and the speed down.

If your going to stay with Maxxis tyres can I suggest you have a look at the MA-761 tyres. They have a 3 ply sidewall and should be more suited to stony roads.
Make sure you get them in the 10 ply rating.

Also if you have D2 alloy wheels, make sure you get a suitable tyre bead breaker and practice at home, as there is quite a bit of skill involved in getting a tyre off a D2 alloy rim.

HTH

John D - Defender 110 2.4

I bought Goodyear Silent Armour tyres with that trim in mind as very strong against sidewall puncture. As Michael said buy an extra tyre and tube, and a tyre changing kit, have four or five goes at changing a tyre before you go. I destroyed 2 or 3 Tyres on a road btw the Stuart HW and Timber Creek. The roads can be tough on tyres particularly if you are carrying some weight.

I have toyed with the idea of having two sets of tyres and wheels, one for day to day work, with alloy wheels, and one with steel ones for outback travel. From what you say, that sounds like an option. I appreciate the advice given on this forum, nothing beats experience, and there is certainly plenty of that here. All your advice has given me plenty to think about, and as someone who firmly believes in the 5 P. principle, input from those who have been there, done that, is invaluable. Bob

Have another tyre to throw into the mix..... Bridgestone D694LT .....123 load index,[1550 kgs] speed rated R [170 km/ hr] 10 ply rating, according to the blurb in 4WD action mag. Another question, 26575R16? recommended for a D2? Available in remote areas? So many questions, so little Bundy. Bob.