trying to choose correct overland tyres...
 

Hello!

dilamma....I have good set of Michelin XZY:s for the range rover classic in the size of 7.50-16 with land rover wheels.

I like the robustness of the tyre, but dont really like the weight and the tread that I consider as "useless" in the snow of mud....

I have been looking into cooper STT or BFG KM2, but after discovering this, and the issue with the poor milage: due softer ruber compound:

Consumer complaints about B.F. Goodrich Tires

was not anymore convienced BFG`s quality.:(

any ideas what tyres would be vise choise for africa and would last something like 70 000km? with out major worries along the way?

I am currently running on Cooper STTs and am very happy with them but only have about 10,000 miles on them. They seem to be wearing well so far.
I have a set of Michelin XZLs on a second vehicle and they are good once aired down but 20,000 miles from a set would be optimistic.
The best tyres by far have been Goodyear Wrangler MT/R - about 60,000 miles and no punctures at all. The only reason for not going with them this time was Goodyear had suspended imports when I needed a set so went with the Coopers - I hope the Coopers will perform as well but I'm pretty sure they won't last as long.
I would consider 235x85x16 as a more versatile size.

The tyres supplied in US are not necessarily the same spec as those supplied in Europe, so try getting some feedback on the KM2 MT in that area . I have just fitted a set 265/75r16 to a LR90 so will be interesting to see how they wear , as the old MT was a very good tyre , I had a tyre dealership and found them to be about the best and used them on my own 4x4s for years. The cooper is also a good tyre , as is Kumho . HTSH

We travelled 70,000km with Mickey Thomson MTZ tyres from Oz to Cape Town. Absolutely love the tyres, good in wet on tarmac, not noisy and excellent on gravel, mud, even deep snow. We had a set of 6. I rotated the tyres between 5,000-7,000km to make use of all the tyres instead of having brand new tyres at the end.

We got one slow puncture in Kyrgyzstan and I only fixed it in Nairobi with a plug.

I sold the tyres at the end of the trip to someone else. The probably had another 10,000km left. The only reason why I sold them was because I got a set of unwanted STT's from my brother for next to nothing.

I definitely prefer the Mickey Thomson to the Coopers. Better in the wet, and not as noisy.

BTW, we travelled in a Landruiser troopcarrier - our loaded weight was more than 2500kgs.

We used the 265 size tyre.

BFG for me.
 

Hi,

I've run BFG A/Ts on all my vehicles and not had a problem. Just replaced a set on my Land Cruiser Troopie that had done 75,000 miles and still had a good 6-8mm of tread left.

I've always found them to be good, strong and hard-wearing.

Happy trails,

Jojo

Hi - I second JoJo1's remarks, having done my trip on a set of 265/65 BFG A/Ts and had no problems apart from 2 punctures, 1 of which was my fault anyway. One caveat I would make is not to go for M/S ones unless you have to, as they are FAR noisier on the road than the A/Ts.

But I also agree the stories in the consumer complaints link look pretty chilling.......in a place like the USA one would think BFG would be getting sued left right and centre with all those failures.

Thanks for the reply, to everyone

yes, it can be noted that looking into internet any type of comment can be found, just about any tyre...but the fact remains guality tyres are expensive, and some dont last very well due the competition in the tyre review that force to use softer rubber compounds...

I have been interested about this one, good comments and very good performance on and off the road (mild use) as bonus no fuel consumption increase and very good performer on snow and wet roads.

235/85R16 Kumho KL78 AT

any comments, ideas or experiences?

ps. the reason why I shy away from the BFG and Cooper at this point is the price, Cooper STT was something like 250-390e/tyre!!!!! (trust me I wont be buying anything from scandinavia...if I can get the same tire from germany or england for the 1/2 price)

I bought 5 Cooper STTs without rims, 35x12.5x15 for GBP750 two years ago here in the UK and a quick ebay check has them at a similar price now.
I can recommend this seller.


Edit. just saw that ebay price is for 4 but worth getting in touch with the seller for a price.
235x85x16 seem to be around GBP110

BFG for me.
 

The BFG's are expensive but I got 75,000 miles out of my last set. One of my chums has got Goodyear MTRs on his Disco 4 and they're almost worn out at 12,000!

I like the BFGs as they're a strong tyre too. Only 3 punctures in 8 years over 6 sets of tyres and god knows how may miles.

Happy trails,

Jojo

[QUOTE=JoJo1;361670. One of my chums has got Goodyear MTRs on his Disco 4 and they're almost worn out at 12,000!


Jojo[/QUOTE]

So what is he doing wrong! I did 4 or 5 times that on mine doing a mix of road and piste. I drive hard, especially on road though in the middle of knowhere I drive to protect the tyres and car.
Over the 4 years I had them I forgot about tyres, They just worked well. I treated them with respect but I pushed them hard.
When I needed a new set for the current trip I tried everything to get a new set but to no avail (even import from America was considered) so I am on Coopers - I will report back in 30,000 miles.

The Last Post
 

OK, last one from me.

[url=http://dakar.bfgoodrich.com/en]BFGoodrich Dakar

Just a bit of fun and no, sadly I've no connection with BFG. However, I run 285x75-16's if they want to send me a set...

Happy trails,

Jojo

Had Michelin Synchromes - wore them out and replaced with:
BFG's AT's- Best choice I made- and it corrected my speedo error too!
Fitted to my Toyata Hilux D4D pickup- so far 12,000 miles and they still look like new!
running 235/85R16 on steel wheels- best compromise IMHO
Just need to remember to pay a little more attention when driving on wet tarmac...
(like Jojo1 - I would never say no to another set!!!):blushing: