Thread: So what's the best A/T tyre for RR??

Russ - gidday, mate there have been a number of posts in relation to tyres, In that particular size i think BFG AT KO was the tyre most often used.

Im ex tyre industry and id suggest gets quotes - lots of them and play everyone off against each other !!! make sure you get quoted including fitting and balance and tubeless valves - landrover wheels should be balanced using a "finger plate" that is balanced mounted to the blancing machine by the bolt holes in your wheels.

Be ware of cheap options and tyres sold at places where theycant get some brands at as good prices - Like Beaurepaires dont get bridgestone at good prices and vice versa.

Happy to give advise if you want ....


Mick

Hi Russ
I have Toyo "Open Country ATs" on my Mitsi Trytoo.They have done around 35000ks and are 75%+ on the rear and 85%+ on the front.
Im very impressed as in the past I have had 45000ks from a set of Kellys (too much a car tyre) and 58000ks from a set of Perelli Scorpions (too much a truck tyre).
One thing I must add is we no longer live on a farm which meant up to 1/2 of our driving was on gravel roads,our WA gravel wich the Rally Australia people love so much can cause up to 30% higher tyre wear Im told.You can certainly see the damage it does to your tyres,the edges of the tread blocks "chip" off.
Cheers
Andrew

Hi there Russ,

Everything I have been told (probably all sales hype though) is that the LT construction is better because it has a stronger sidewall. I can understand that for remote driving, i.e. no stakes through the side of the tyre, but then an article I read recently (forgotten where) said that it is the longitudinal increase in the tyre when the pressure is dropped is what aids traction more that the lateral increase.

All the big words mean when you lower the pressure in your tyres for sand or light rock work (not the desert kind) the area of the tyre that makes contact with the ground increases. With an LT construction, the increase is in line with the circumference (tread) of the tyre, whereas with Passenger construction, the increase tends to be more a bagging (sideways/across the tread) of the tyre.

Given this "technical" breakdown of pressure/grip I would have to say go for the LT's, the suspension on the LSE should be able to cope with the more rigid construction.

AHHHH the western gravel, described as marbles in the dirt by one rally driver.

AT tyres were my choice as much as I luv getting into the muddy stuff.
Knew I would spend more time in the dry dirt and sand than in the mud.

I went for the Goodyear Wranglers 245/75/16 and they have proven to be a great trye, both on and off road.

Have had them down to about 18psi for some sand work and about 20psi for some rock work, havnt let me down yet.


Price is always something to watch, you can save quite a bit by looking about, and you will still end up with the same tyre.

Most places have THEIR own brand that they love to push, But check out what you want to have and stick to that.

Agree with Blackadder.

It is the length and not the width of the foot print that counts for traction.

And further more:

The Disco and RR are very similar setups.

The BF Goodrich AT's (LT) have been a good tyre on mine.

The on and off road performance is well balanced. 60,000 kms without complaint and maybe another 20,000 to go. My predominant usage off road is trails and the occasional rough rocks. No beaches and very little mud. No punctures (yet).

Thanks chaps for your replies, certainly has given me some things to think about.

Bigbugger, did you have to reduce your lock to get the 245's on your Disco? An LSE with less lock would be very tiresome to turn in carparks etc.....I think RR and Disco's are the same physical dimensions in this area?

Regards to you all,
Russell.

I have recently fitted a set of second hand (ex Japan 90% tread)Yokohama Geolander 255/65/16's to the disco and they're great.
Very smooth ride on the road and excellent in the soft stuff (sand,mud etc) I get a little rubbing on full lock but can live with it.