Thread: Tyres for Cape York

Hi all,
Is there a preference for tyres for Cape York? As in LT muddies over all terrains. My trip is mostly Counties, Defenders and 2 Disco IIs. I'm just worried that the crew of the one Disco shod with ATs may pitch up with not so serviceable tyres. Bit of a worry I know, but I'm 1800 km away from them and they're a bit vague when I ask for details. I would imaging that good tread depth is a must, but what re the expiences with 2-ply sidewall ATs?

cheers

Nugget
'99 Defender 110 TD5

Wow sounds like your going to get dropped in it

If they are ill prepared for such a trip , it's their own fault and on their ow heads . You need to be blunt with them and let them know your stance

Last time I went to the top I went with BFG AT's on and no worries

And would do it again with them ,


Sent from my iPhone

Like Reads says, GOOD condition A/T's are fine IF not overloaded, incorrectly inflated/ deflated or driven too fast on. Most of the time tyre failures on trips such as this seem to be caused by operator error / abuse/ neglect IME.

Tell them to SLOW down, DON'T carry too much STUFF, and check pressures regularly and as long as the tyres are in good overall condition prior to the trip I wouldn't anticipate a problem with any good quality A/T tyre.

JC

Depends whether you want to "visit" Cape York or "immerse" yourself in it!
I "visited" last year. Kept out of the real rough stuff but had enough experience of sand and mud to have got stuck well and truly if it hadn't been for the P38's plough-through ability...was also towing a camper...

Tyres: Cooper HT all around with 50% tread. I seriously considered ATs but couldn't justify the cost while I still had 50% tread useable... What's more, from Brisbane to the Cape, over 80% of the distance is on tarred roads...
Once we got onto the PDR we drove for dozens of kms through deep sand to avoid the corrugations going north and got overtaken by a heavy rain front coming south...I'm still cleaning mud from the underside...it's a matter choosing your line and minimising risk.

when time comes to replace the boots I'll probably go A/Ts...

Well I am going next week on my Bridgestone RD695 LT 245x70x16 all terrains.( I do have a Quaife and Maxi Drive)

But then I did from NSW Central Coast to the GRR,Tanami,Kalumburu,Plenty,Mitchell Falls on a set of BFG Long Trails "reinforced" with no flats at all.

When I got back to the Central Coast, one tyre had a bit missing down to the belt, but the others were OK on the trailer for another 2years.

So don't worry be happy. Tyre life and suitability IMHO depend more on driver attitude, attention to pressures, and general maintenance than whether its an AT or Mud. The mud may get you another 10 feet on a creek exit but a wincher will probably be a wincher if cut up.

Oh , you should insist that any car should have tyres better than 60% or so tread at the start.
Regards Philip A

Originally Posted by Reads90

Last time I went to the top I went with BFG AT's on and no worries

And would do it again with them ,


Sent from my iPhone

Exactly,I did two long Cape trips with BFG A/T's,no probs at all.Also a long desert trip,also no tyre damage.
Wouldn't use anything else....one thing i hate is having tyre troubles

BFG AT is the standard I reccomend as about the minimum. a little more agressive is better but theres no requirement to go to a full blown MT

tread depth for a AT must be above 50% and for an MT 25%.