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Tyre choices for an unusual overlander? Tyre choices for an unusual overlander?
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Under 3500kg vehicles, e.g. Land Cruiser, Land Rover, Subaru etc.
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  #1  
Old 10 Apr 2021
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Tyre choices for an unusual overlander?
My "4-wheeler" is a humble diesel Ford Transit circa 2001!

It's FWD and has no traction control so my off-road aspirations are few, but the odd track here, deserted beach there are still on the menu.

Can anyone recommend tyres that give me a bit more grip in loose stuff with the sizes 195/70R15?

Or is that just NOT a size any brand makes knobbly-ish tyres for?
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Old 10 Apr 2021
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I'm no expert on cars, but my thinking is that "grip" might not be what you should be looking for with a fwd with a weak engine and probably not the strongest drivetrain. Maybe prioritize "big" over "grip", so that when you deflate you have a much larger tirepatch to float on top of the sand... And bring some sand ladders, shovels and a bladder jack .

The biggest problem with beaches is getting down to them. You have to build up speed and really gun it all you've got to get across the loose stuff and down to the hard packed sand near the water... And watch your tides, seaweed and quick sand (talking from experience).
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Old 11 Apr 2021
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Originally Posted by Wheelie View Post
I'm no expert on cars, but my thinking is that "grip" might not be what you should be looking for with a fwd with a weak engine and probably not the strongest drivetrain. Maybe prioritize "big" over "grip", so that when you deflate you have a much larger tirepatch to float on top of the sand... And bring some sand ladders, shovels and a bladder jack .

The biggest problem with beaches is getting down to them. You have to build up speed and really gun it all you've got to get across the loose stuff and down to the hard packed sand near the water... And watch your tides, seaweed and quick sand (talking from experience).
Yeah! That second bit sounds familiar!!

I did use the deflation technique on the beach to get out again.
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Old 12 Apr 2021
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I encountered a few vans that made it down to the beach in Mauritania. I think they all rans stock tires. I think most, if not all, got stuck going down to the beach. I don't think any tyre choice except for a really big mod - would have changed that. When they thought they had enough speed they should have gone even faster. Once down on the beach - they managed just fine.

I don't know how much weight they were carrying in the back - but they were loaded.
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