Hi Mario,

For sand, a taller tyre is better, other things being equal. This is for two reasons: firstly, when a taller tyre sinks a given distance into the sand, the angle of the "wall" in front of it is not as steep. Secondly, a taller tyre can (other things being equal) run a little softer than a smaller diameter tyre. (The deformation of the sidewalls takes place over a larger area, so there is less heat build-up).

A tyre's dimensions have little to do with its ground-contact area. But the shape of the "footprint" differs, and this is very important. For a road-performance car, a wide, low tyre has a wide, short footprint which provides stability for cornering. But in sand, a wide, short tyre has all the disadvantages of a wide sand "wall", a steep angle to climb the wall, and lower clearance.

The options you have are both good in their own way - the BFGs are taller and less aggressive (good), but wider (bad). The Michelins are the other way around. But the Michelins offer two other benefits - they are the standard size in Africa, and they are well known for their ability to run at low pressures (and pressure pretty much aces any other consideration when driving in sand).

Of the two, I'd opt for the Michelins, but either is a good choice. Given a blank slate (and cheque), my first choice would be tall, narrow XZLs in a 255/85-16 (33x10-16), if available.

My 2p worth.

Michael...
www.expeditionoverland.com

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Michael & Sandy
http://www.expeditionoverland.com