Preferred tyres and pressure's for Gibb River Road

[Silver petrol manual Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Silver petrol manual]

I am wondering if anyone has an opinion on preferred tyres and tyre pressures for a Prado on the Gibb River Road and Tanami track.

I have just ordered 265/65/17 BFG's ( $340 each) for a trip up to the Gibb River Road in three weeks and have read a lot of stuff on what sort of tyres and tyre pressures but nothing specific to Prado's.

I also just bought a secondhand alloy rim and half-used Bridgestone D694 for my second spare ($275), the other is a Grand trek still unused), also going to buy a tyre repair kit.

By all accounts it seems to be a personal experience thing in relation to lowering tyre pressure on the Gibb. Can't wait to go

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

Re: Preferred tyres and pressure's for Gibb River Road

Last time I traveled up the gib I was driving in my brothers 08 Hilux. He didn't want to bother with reducing pressures, and we blew out two tyres. We managed to get to Kunnanurra without blowing out another after I insisted we drop pressure to 26psi. The tyres were OEM something or other. Can't remember what they were, but definately were road biased tyres. I would drop the pressure if I were you, and keep speeds down a bit as well. The sharp shale that they grade the road with is hell on tyres if you aren't sensible with pressures and speed IMO.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Re: Preferred tyres and pressure's for Gibb River Road

Hi, i did the Gibb and the Tanami a couple of years ago in a prado towing camper trailer, running BFG's. I generally run 22psi front and 26psi rear. i find this set up suitable for most outback roads. you may need to vary this depending on your load, ie steel bullbar and winch you might want to up the front pressures a few pound, if the back is chocka block then maybe 28ish. besides lowering pressures lower your speed, around 3 times the psi is a good rule of thumb for speed and after reducing tyre pressure and speed you will notice a reduction in the stress levels in the car as well. they are both very enjoyable drives IMO especially the GRR, Wolfe creek is worth a visit, just watch out for the speed bumps.

Cheers Andrew

[jack0207 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jack0207]

Re: Preferred tyres and pressure's for Gibb River Road

Enough pressure to keep the tyres round no matter what the load (usually around 37-45psi for me). Was a tip an old bushy/lease holder along the fitzroy gave me and 8 yrs later have never had a puncture out bush using that advice except for ripping out the sidewall on a burnt stake when going cross country

Run BFG AT across 3 different Prado's in the last 8 yrs and they have performed faultlessly. Haven't even had a problem with any chipping of lugs.

[Silver petrol manual Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Silver petrol manual]

Re: Preferred tyres and pressure's for Gibb River Road

thanks very much for your comments. I will drop the pressure and keep the speed down - I want to see the country as well! My Prado is stock standard, no bullbar, lift or anything.

Still wondering where to put the 2nd spare, my Prado I bought second hand and has done 180 000 already so thinking will invest in second wheel carrier and the rest when I get a newer 120 - still can't come at the 150 yet, just dont like the style, but that is just a personal opinion.

In terms of load I am dropping the trailor and kids in broome so they can fly back for school so I will be really lightly loaded when I hit the GRR - than it will just be me and a couple of bottles of red label for a nice drive!

thanks again - has anyone used the tyre repair kits that you put the plugs in? Do they work and are easy to use?

[luked Member Find all posts View Profile Close luked]

Re: Preferred tyres and pressure's for Gibb River Road

yea tyre plugs are easy as, easier and quicker than changing a tyre if you can get at it without taking wheel off... easier on the front! i've only used them for road based punctures of screws and nails and never had a problem but if you puncture the cords or wires in the structure of the tyre you can have a problem as they can come apart over time.. i've heard. Proabably one where commonsense will work wonders.. def a must have for emergencies i'd say.. takes up less space than a third spare

[rhs58 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rhs58]

Re: Preferred tyres and pressure's for Gibb River Road

Travelled the Tanami and GRR last year.
Towed an OffRoad Van.
Prado and Van shod with Bridgestone D694's (P's on the Prado, LT's on the Van)
Dropped pressures to around 22psi for car and van.
Travelled sensible speeds - averaged 60kph.
Never had a problem.
Cheers
Ron
PS my 2nd spare went on the roof rack - never came down in over 10000km but reassuring to have it there!