What/Which Tyres?

[grayson]

I am running Cooper ST's on an 80 series cruiser and have done around 20,000kms now. I have to sya I do like them. They are noisier than the previous Kelly Safari AT's I had but it's not enough to anoy or bother me. I really have to say that I can't pick any difference in perfromance in sand compared to the Kelly's but they do the job well and are awesome on Gravel, wet bitumen and those wet dirt roads that get a coating of greasy mud a couple inches deep on them after the rain.

I like to run my tyres fairly low in pressuer around town but have had to pump them up to correct pressure due to a feathering at the edges. I have had no punctures and at the rate they are wearing I hope to get 50,000kms out of them.

I would recomend also trying to get a larger daimeter tyre than the std. This has an effect on spedo and low down power but is a great way to get a little more ground clearnace at the same time.

[SEC]

larger tyres also make for better fuel economy at cruise/highway driving

[Needmorerum]

Don't stress about longevity of tyres sitting around. I have a set of 38" Boggers that only get used twice or three times a year, they're nearly prehistoric now, about 3.5yrs old and they're fine. I also don't rotate the 5 tyres on my 80, and hav just put the spare, that has been there for two years onto the rims with the 4 new 33x12.5x16 BFG Muds that are now about 1500klms old.
When I used to run BFG AT's, I'd average around 100k klms out of them, the muds I am averaging around 75k klms.
I can't agree with Wranglers rating better then Centipedes on wet rock, but I can't agree that Muds are better in the sand then AT's either. I have contemplated getting another set of AT's just for sand work, as the muds dig a 4" hole every rotation, the AT's used to take a bit to dig in.
The whole idea of a mudder is to be able to throw the material out, whether it be mud or sand, to gain traction, of course if it throws it out, it has to get it from somewhere.
As much as I haven't tried them, don't rule out the Toyo OPEC either. My old man just put a set on his new Hilux after I chased down some info on some of the 4WD forums and the feedback from those that actually use them was positive.

My thoughts, hope they help,
Corry

[tonyp]

Well I just ordered a set of Cooper ATR' 265/70/R15 for my new SR5 hilux, was between Cooper and BFG's both have got a good following and the shop next to the car yard sells Cooper so that made it a easier choice

These are one size up but only 14mm larger diamiter than the origanal off the Dualcab. The 255/70/R15 coopers were not the same load rating which by therory made them ilegal,what the diff between the SR & the SR5 beats me. But he has sold plenty of these to the new hilux owners and they are happy. I am sure i will be as well as all who have posted here.

[CHRIS_aka_GWH]

I still have my tyres that came with my Toyota Prado but it is not that good in the sand. It most probably wont be any good in wet dirt either.

What's does "not that good in the sand" mean ?


I do only sand work (& road).

on the usual good advice from the boys at Tyreworks Slacks Creek I run Coopers H/T. They go well on the beaches without deflation & have never looked like digging a hole for themselves.
Interestingly, after changing over from Goodyear A/T tread I haven't picked up a nail/screw in 2years.



I'd say the problem with the Prado in the sand is clearance. I see a lot of prados bogged on the beach with underslung tyres etc. They start to drag, the driver applies to much power, spins the wheels & digs them in. To have an reasonable offroad Prado requires a few options to be selected when purchasing I believe, or a bit of aftermarket work.

It may be premature to invest in new rubber unless you really are going mud-larking.

chris

[Alymar]

Try Discount Tyres at Moorooka or Quickfit at Bowen Hills.
You could also talk to the guys at ARB Southside in Coopers Plains.

[cooky]

I have contemplated getting another set of AT's just for sand work, as the muds dig a 4" hole every rotation, the AT's used to take a bit to dig in

i understand this in theory - makes complete sense, but one of the reasons I went STT after my ATs was for sand work. The STTs of my bro-inlaw floated (bagged) better and weren't digging in at all (at cruising speeds) - while my ATs dug trenches and I seemed to have to use more power to keep speed up. Now I have the STTs - they seem to 'tractor' through the sand at low speed and I don't require the same amount of power. If you do apply lots of power they will dig in faster than ATs of course. In deep dry soft sand they both made it similar distances.

While camping with the family the bro-in law and I would take both cars out for some entertainment and would try and get them bogged. With the STTs he could drive the beach in 2 wheel drive and when I tried as soon as it got soft I would have to throw in 4x4 - I would be 50+km/h in 2 wheel drive and rears woudl just start slipping and I could do nothing while I slowed to a stop (digging rears in) - engage 4x4 and off we go again.

Of course the ATs are probably more fun for circle work