Replacement of original Dunlop AT20 tyres

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

have to admit, not as fan of the AT20, aside from excessive bodyrole, poor steering response, they are poor in the wet and not a good tyre under brakes.

I hear a lot of good things about Michelin tyres, work colleague switched from BFG A/t to their A/t version and gets better wear. Rates them as a better tyre all round on his 200Series.

the Latitude Tour HP may suit.

http://www.michelin.com.au/Products-...ar-SUV-LT/suv/

The Bridgestone D697, are stiffer in the sidewalls than AT20, maybe a slightly noisier, but not as much as BFG A/T.

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

I have a set of five near new AT20s that we took off about 4 months ago. I think they travell around 5k.

Shame you don't like in Brissy as I would happily sell them for the right price.

We had intentions of putting the tyres back on the Prado when we sell it in 2 years.

[jg7890 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jg7890]

Keeping them and putting them back on come sale time is probably still the best strategy. Regards,

Jeff

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

Your right Jeff.

In two years time, I'm sure the KM2s will be due for replacement anyway.

[gxllouie Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxllouie]

The original Dunlop AT20 tyres have now covered 41,000kms and will probably see 45,000 before they need replacing. Is this considered average mileage for this particular tyre? Almost all of these kms have been covered just driving around the suburbs with the occasional trip away towing a 2 tonne caravan. What I am seeking in a replacement tyre is quietness, comfort and greater mileage. I never go off road so that is not a requirement. Any suggestions?

Regards,

Jeff

Jeff,

I'm the same as brogers - just hit 104,000 on the originals. I have about 1mm of tread left. I too run mine at 40psi and rotate all 5 tyres every 10k. Although i've only done the wheel alignment twice.

I've found the Dunlops have handled everything i've thrown at them, although i haven't tested them in mud. Having said that I'll probably switch to either Bridgestone 697 or Mickey Thompson STZ in a bigger size soon.

Louie

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

Jeff,

I'm the same as brogers - just hit 104,000 on the originals. I have about 1mm of tread left. I too run mine at 40psi and rotate all 5 tyres every 10k. Although i've only done the wheel alignment twice.

I've found the Dunlops have handled everything i've thrown at them, although i haven't tested them in mud. Having said that I'll probably switch to either Bridgestone 697 or Mickey Thompson STZ in a bigger size soon.

Louie

Probably best to change the tyres asap Louie, as wet weather performance will be greatly reduced now with just 1mm left. I am almost in the same boat, but have a few more mm of tread, but will change my tyres asap, as sometimes other family members drive the car, and I would hate for them to have an accident, especially in wet weather. So...its time to start getting tyre prices. I think I will try Bridgestone All terrain D697LT....but I am not sure if I will get a legally bigger size or just stick with 265/65/17..(if I can get them) ....everytime I ask different tyre places I get a different answer, "yes you can", "no you can't " fit that size...oh boy, the joy of it all.

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

Hi brogers, Very interesting that you have managed to squeeze that many kms out of these tyres, especially as you say that you have gone off road quite a bit as well. Just yesterday I increased the tyre pressures up from 36 psi to 40 psi on the recommendation of my local tyre dealer. The difference in the increase of the harshness of the ride was apparent as soon as I drove out of his driveway. Accordingly, tomorrow I will be reducing the pressures back to 36psi to return the ride to a more pleasant experience even at the expense of a reduction in the mileage by a few thousand. Because of the type of driving I do which only includes suburban and highways, comfort and quietness are paramount. BTW, I have my tyres rotated every 6 months (about 7000kms) when I have the Prado serviced. Regards, Jeff.

I guess most of the bituman roads I drive on are in fairly good condition (until the floods that is, now they are probably full of potholes for a while), so I don't find it intolerable to have 40psi. I know what you mean about the ride being harsher, but honestly, I don't find it too bad, but I find the steering seems to be better with a slighty higher pressure than that recommended, and in fact the service department also inflate the tyres to 40psi. Maybe try 38psi, as I am sure the higher pressure has definatly reduced tyre wear, and improved handeling, albiet at the expense of feeling the bumps a bit more. Also, asthe tyre ages perhaps the bumps won't be quite as noticable at the higher pressure, but anyway, I recon its worth a try fine tuning the pressures, as it does make a difference. I also tow a boat and a camper trailer, and 36psi is definatly too low when towing, I find 40psi seems to be ok for most short trips with the boat, so I don't have to change tyre pressures each time I tow the boat. Take care.

[gxllouie Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxllouie]

Probably best to change the tyres asap Louie, as wet weather performance will be greatly reduced now with just 1mm left. I am almost in the same boat, but have a few more mm of tread, but will change my tyres asap, as sometimes other family members drive the car, and I would hate for them to have an accident, especially in wet weather. So...its time to start getting tyre prices. I think I will try Bridgestone All terrain D697LT....but I am not sure if I will get a legally bigger size or just stick with 265/65/17..(if I can get them) ....everytime I ask different tyre places I get a different answer, "yes you can", "no you can't " fit that size...oh boy, the joy of it all.

Sorry mate should have been clearer - 1mm of legal tread left.

I've tested the tyres in the wet and when pushing hard still couldn't activate DSC.

They do squeal a bit on the edges in the dry though.

I have been shopping around. I just can't make my mind up considering how long they'll stay on.

Interesting comment from tyre dealership yesterday - 265/70 are less popular and harder to get if replacement needed. 275/65 are standard fitment on Nissan patrol and therefore a lot more readily available.

Louie

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

I have been shopping around. I just can't make my mind up considering how long they'll stay on.

Interesting comment from tyre dealership yesterday - 265/70 are less popular and harder to get if replacement needed. 275/65 are standard fitment on Nissan patrol and therefore a lot more readily available.

Louie[/QUOTE]

Thanks Louie, I hadn't thought about the availability issue....I have a 150GXL with 265/65/17, and I guess I have some "potential" tyre size options, stay with 265/65/17, (With 265mm width and 776mm diameter) or investigate 275/65/17, (275mm wide? will it rub on the car somewhere, and 790mm diameter, which is 14mm diameter more), or maybe 265/70/17 (265mm wide, but 28mm more diameter)...any further suggestions. I know others have posted quite a bit elsewhere, but it all gets quite confusing with the effects on speedo and clearance from the vehicle. I have standard rims, but I will do a suspension lift of 40mm soon, so, given that the 275/65/17 may be more available, and have only a slight increase in diameter and slightly wider, it may be the way to go...any advice or suggestions would be welcome from those who have tried 275/65/17 on standard rims on a 150GXL?

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

I know of a Prado running 275/65 std rims no issues.


Hutch- 2012 Prado 150, some TJM Kit.

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

..any advice or suggestions would be welcome from those who have tried 275/65/17 on standard rims on a 150GXL?[/QUOTE]



brogers,

I run 275/65/17 in Bridgestone 694's L/T on standard GXL rims. No problems, and the spare easily fits under the tyre cover. Have the TJM Gold Suspension upgrade plus polyairs.

The speedo reading reads a bit closer to the true road speed going by the GPS unit with the 275's.

Dave.

[jg7890 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jg7890]

Jeff,

I'm the same as brogers - just hit 104,000 on the originals. I have about 1mm of tread left. I too run mine at 40psi and rotate all 5 tyres every 10k. Although i've only done the wheel alignment twice.

I've found the Dunlops have handled everything i've thrown at them, although i haven't tested them in mud. Having said that I'll probably switch to either Bridgestone 697 or Mickey Thompson STZ in a bigger size soon.

Louie

Hi Louie, Great mileage. I note that you rotate all 5 tyres rather than just 4 as I do. If I continue eith AT20 tyres, I will add the spare into the regular rotation. In the meantime, I will increase my tyre pressures up to 38PSI from the current 36 PSI to see if the ride is much harsher. 40PSI was too harsh for Sydney roads for me. Regards, Jeff

[gxllouie Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxllouie]

after much deliberation and hair pulling ended up going BFG AT 265/70-17. going on this saturday

reasons:

wanted taller tyre - rules out D697

availability - MT STZ not available until next year in 265/70-17 (despite their website listing them), Pirelli not available until next month

price - BFG $336 a corner (vs eg. MT ATZ 4 $377)

availability - almost all tyre places sell BFG, handy for replacements if needed

reputation - while there may be better tyres out there, has to be a reason BFGs sell like hot cakes

construction - despite popular belief, i've been told that the technology in BFGs has changed heaps over the years

louie

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

Hi again Louie,

I'm not sure why you had to exclude the D697 Louis?

"wanted taller tyre - rules out D697"

Is the D697 not available in that size you wanted Louie?

I am now leaning towards D697 in 275/65/17, because I just don't want to go any higher in tyre diameter as I am also putting in a 40mm suspension lift, and just want to stay beneath 50mm overall height increase, just to hopefully avoid legal issues, etc.

Anyway, how are the BFGs Louie? They shoud be a great tyre.

[gxllouie Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxllouie]

Hi again Louie,

I'm not sure why you had to exclude the D697 Louis?

"wanted taller tyre - rules out D697"

Is the D697 not available in that size you wanted Louie?

I am now leaning towards D697 in 275/65/17, because I just don't want to go any higher in tyre diameter as I am also putting in a 40mm suspension lift, and just want to stay beneath 50mm overall height increase, just to hopefully avoid legal issues, etc.

Anyway, how are the BFGs Louie? They shoud be a great tyre.

So far so good on the BFGs. They are quieter than I was expecting. Will see how time affects this.

Pretty good in the wet so far too.

The Bridgestones aren't available in a 265/70, hence I ruled them out.

I have to say the car looks heaps better with the 265/70 on.

Louie