Thread: Big Tyres: Pros and cons

Originally Posted by tact

Bog standard 235/85/16 tyres "cutting through" thick mud down to more solid base. Note: mud depth was in places deeper than axle height - see the troweling effect of the axles/diffs leaving smooth leveled/scraped mud in front of the vehicle as it reversed back.

Track damage?

Umm the 'track' looks pretty stuffed already, lucky he's got narrow tyres.

Originally Posted by Rick122

This is worth a read. Some good info on tyre selection in general.
The Truth About 4WD Tyres

Thanks Rick122, sage advice.

Originally Posted by tact

Bog standard 235/85/16 tyres "cutting through" thick mud down to more solid base. Note: mud depth was in places deeper than axle height - see the troweling effect of the axles/diffs leaving smooth leveled/scraped mud in front of the vehicle as it reversed back.

Track damage?

Fat tyres would just spin and sink on that. Narrow is the go in mud.

Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Fat tyres would just spin and sink on that. Narrow is the go in mud.

Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app

Unless the mud is relatively deep and bottomless, such as that found on farms after lots of rain...

Cutting through to the firm stuff would have me at about door handle depth.

Fat Simexs are the only tyres that go through here after it gets wet.

Really thick, sloppy mud is about the only place that wider tyres do better than skinny and then an aggressive tread pattern helps too. Maybe on soft sand a wide tyre is beneficial also but then you don't want mud tyres. A skinny but high profile tyre aired down will increase the contact patch (length, not width) and they do just as well.

From what I have been reading on other sites, the consensus is large diameter but relatively skinny, like the 235/85's or 750r16's are the best for most situations.
This is also a good (but time consuming) read.
http://www.expeditionswest.com/resea...tion_rev1.html

Again, it's my opinion, I'm not here to tell anyone they are a fool for fitting huge tyres, it's a personal choice. I just have a thing about those 300kw monsters on 37's with dual diff locks plowing up what used to be good tracks.

Originally Posted by Rick122

Really thick, sloppy mud is about the only place that wider tyres do better than skinny and then an aggressive tread pattern helps too. Maybe on soft sand a wide tyre is beneficial also but then you don't want mud tyres. A skinny but high profile tyre aired down will increase the contact patch (length, not width) and they do just as well.

From what I have been reading on other sites, the consensus is large diameter but relatively skinny, like the 235/85's or 750r16's are the best for most situations.
This is also a good (but time consuming) read.
Expeditions West: Tire Selection for Expedition Travel

Again, it's my opinion, I'm not here to tell anyone they are a fool for fitting huge tyres, it's a personal choice. I just have a thing about those 300kw monsters on 37's with dual diff locks plowing up what used to be good tracks.

Agreed. Very well said Rick. Cheers

Originally Posted by Rick122

[...]I just have a thing about those 300kw monsters on 37's with dual diff locks plowing up what used to be good tracks.

Totally agree with you on that!

In Malaysia we sometimes come across real idiot cowboy types who weld up their diffs, have twin turbo petrol engines that they drive constantly up where bouncing valves are the default rev limiter... and they rape the landscape the way they drive.

At times these idiots get trails closed off by indigenous people (Orang Asli). As the jungles are the environment where the OA live, work and play. Decent offroaders appreciate this and appreciate being allowed, or even welcomed, by the OA where others are shut out.