What tyres do you use offroad?

[Peter07 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Peter07]

Hi all,
I have just upgraded from a soft roader to a GX D4D and never have owned a “real 4wd” vehicle. I have a few concerns. One of them is tyre size. My Prado comes with 265/65/17’s Dunlops. I am in the process of preparing the vehicle for a trip to Kimberly region (going through Tanami Road).
I want to upgrade the rubber to Light Truck type ATs or MTs. The nearest size available to original Dunlops is 265/70/17, which I understand is not legal (more then 15mm over the OD).
What do you do guys? Do you use light truck type tyres or go rather with the passenger type ATs which is same size as original Dunlops but not as strong as light truck tyres? Or go to 245/70/17 which is within the legal limit but a bit narrow?
Are the passenger type ATs good enough for this type of trip? Or should I go rather with light truck type despite legal issues (insurance, warranty)?
And last thing, what sort of tyre pressure should I run on Tanami Road and Gibb River Road?
Thanks for being patient. Any comments will be appreciated.

[Guest Close Guest]

Have a snoop around this forum (use search button) there is a few threads with good info already on the tyre sizes and also the legalities (I think you can go 50 mm over standard in Vic?)

[lc120_man Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lc120_man]

For the type of the terrain you planning on doing - Goodyear Silent Armor LT in 265/70/R17 for AT tyre.
One size up is not a problem in Vic. and also make sure that you
list the tyre size on your insurance paper...

[HGMonaro Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close HGMonaro]

are there no LT construction AT's in 265/65/17?

I'm undecided what I'm going to do about tyres for our trip which is going to include the GGR. Was contemplating buying a 2nd set of rims (steelies) for some decent AT tyres but not convienced. Many do these roads with worse equipment, maybe active management of tyre pressures is enough?

[Fazza Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fazza]

Re: What tyres do you use offroad?

Hi all,
I have just upgraded from a soft roader to a GX D4D and never have owned a “real 4wd” vehicle. I have a few concerns. One of them is tyre size. My Prado comes with 265/65/17’s Dunlops. I am in the process of preparing the vehicle for a trip to Kimberly region (going through Tanami Road).
I want to upgrade the rubber to Light Truck type ATs or MTs. The nearest size available to original Dunlops is 265/70/17, which I understand is not legal (more then 15mm over the OD).
What do you do guys? Do you use light truck type tyres or go rather with the passenger type ATs which is same size as original Dunlops but not as strong as light truck tyres? Or go to 245/70/17 which is within the legal limit but a bit narrow?
Are the passenger type ATs good enough for this type of trip? Or should I go rather with light truck type despite legal issues (insurance, warranty)?
And last thing, what sort of tyre pressure should I run on Tanami Road and Gibb River Road?
Thanks for being patient. Any comments will be appreciated.

Peter,
Just to add to your concerns,
Unfortunately there is very little choice at the moment in regards to 17" AT light truck tyres 225/70x17 (Recommended on vehicle place card.) But only choice Bribgestone?
245/70x17 is near enough to the correct dia, choice Toyo or Bridgestone?
265/70x17 Goodyears sound good but are actually 30mm bigger in dia or 15 revs less per kilometer which could lead to speeding fines. Also consider the availability if you have to replace a damaged tyre when traveling out back & what size spare as damage may result to transmission if to great a dia change in odd size wheels. May be better to go with standard fittment plus extra spare???
Cooper tyres are a extra choice but I have my reservations some good reports & a lot of bad???

But what ever you decide I am sure you will have a great time.

Fazza

[McBAIN Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close McBAIN]

i have cooper ATR's in the same size as the originals?? (or do they not class as LT tyres?)

[xvprado Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close xvprado]

i have cooper ATR's in the same size as the originals?? (or do they not class as LT tyres?)

Cooper 265/65/17 are passenger
265/70/17 come in pass or LT

[McBAIN Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close McBAIN]

i have cooper ATR's in the same size as the originals?? (or do they not class as LT tyres?)

Cooper 265/65/17 are passenger
265/70/17 come in pass or LT

aaah... so what's the mail difference then? stronger sidewall etc?

[Addy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Addy]

Also consider the availability if you have to replace a damaged tyre when traveling out back & what size spare as damage may result to transmission if to great a dia change in odd size wheels. May be better to go with standard fittment plus extra spare???

I see prado's all the time with non standard size tyres on, but have a standard size on the back door. I was thinking that being a different rolling dia that this could cause damage is this the case?

(Cleaned the quoting up for you) TP.

[Guest Close Guest]

Crapped meself today had a patrol traytop (very well set up too mind you) go past with some baja claws or similar on it !

Jeez the noise was horrendous from the tyres! actually scared me for a sec as I had window down! but looked unreal!

[phil Member Find all posts View Profile Close phil]

I have a set of 36 inch simexs and my mate has 39inch boggers on his 04 nissan patrol the noise they make when side by side is deafening :shock:
Cheers Phil.

[Guest Close Guest]

I have a set of 36 inch simexs and my mate has 39inch boggers on his 04 nissan patrol the noise they make when side by side is deafening :shock:
Cheers Phil.

*Phil to mate on UHF* " Not much Wildlife to see out here today" :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Addy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Addy]

Fazza wrote: By the way i don't know how to pick something that someone has posted a put such and such wrote: properly.[/b]

You mean like this?

There is a quote button in the top right section of the post box. Click that and a Post a Reply screen will appear. Enter you reply below the quote. Simple. Give it a try.

Thanks for that it is so obvious now. ops: ops: :lol:

[DaveNQ1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DaveNQ1]

Gents
9000 kilometres ago i replaced my original rubber with Trailcutters in 265/70/R17 LT.
I immediately noticed a difference in the performance of the car. The car gearing was significantly affected and it was especially noticeable on the highway at 80-100 km/hour. I could not use cruise control in the same places i used to as the vehicle would drop down a gear and the vehicle just seemed sluggish all round. However, if i wanted a LT construction tyre i had no choice but to stick to this size.
I am going away over Easter and went in for a wheel rotation and told the Dealer of my issues with the vehicle. He immediately knew what i was talking about and said i was the fourth person with a V6 Prado who had complained about the performance change. Because of the torque in the diesel engine it apparently is not affected and there has been no complaints from the diesel ownwers.
He told me when he sold me the tyres he was unaware of the issues and would happily trade them in for me at a very good price as the Nissan Patrol owners use this size as well. He said they are now making the exact tyre in a 265/65/R17 in light truck construction and he has ordered some which will not be here for 5-6 weeks. He will be putting 5 aside for me and i will be going back to the original size. I will lose a little height in the vehicle but it will be a better vehicle to drive and i will also get an improvement in fuel economy.
To anyone that is interested, i am very happy with the tyres otherwise and they have been very good offroad.
He also said that it will not be long and the 65 series will be available in LT construction in a number of brands as the market for this size is now rapidly increasing. He reckons some brands are using them overseas but they are not yet being imported.

Cheers
Dave

[Addy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Addy]

Who makes trailcutters or is that the company :?: