Coming up for new tires on the BT50. How does one select the tyres, I want good wet weather performance, and good braking, which I understand is a softer compound, so a compromise with long tyre wear. I have Dunlop AT20's on at the moment, but have read the OEM tires are made from a different compound, and when buying them the quality of the tyre drops. How true this is I don't know. If one goes to a tyre retailer, how do they know how tires perform? they are just selling the makes that give them the best profit, its what the boss says to push this month. How would you select tyres to tow a big van mainly in the black stuff?
I had BFG A/T's on a Prado many moons back and they performed great. When I got the Colorado 4x4 I changed the H/T tyres over to Cooper A/T3's but have never been all that happy. I found the grip a little sus and just, well. not happy. I will be looking at replacing them toward the end of this year to very early next year. By then they would have travelled around 80-90,000km I reckon and will be going back to the BFG A/T. They have a newer tread pattern since the last lot I had. I like to have the A/T so if needed they are there ready. They also perform well on the black stuff.
Just thought I'd throw that into the mix.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Mickey Thompson ATZ/p3 were great on my BT50 last year, think maybe a new model now.Make sure you check the load rating on whatever you buy though. The new BFG at/K02 are getting great reviews as well. The squarer shoulder will assist imho to make it a much better ride. cheers Craig
I am in the situation where the tires are not quite down to the wear strips, maybe a mm or 2 off, but they have been like it fir a while, just don't want to wear down further. Just running around in the Ute isn't a problem, and I wouldn't worry if it were summer time and the roads were dry, but I am worried about towing a big van right on the weight limits in the wet. I have had in the past (not towing) understeer which is scary, or my tires just sliding across the surface of the black stuff when I had to emergency brake.
I want tires that can handle the wet roads and brake, long lasting is not the main criteria.
Yesterday I had a look at some Bridgestone Duellers AT tires that looked good, had Nano technology what ever that is, but made in Japan, wide rubber strong side walls and plenty of gap to get rid of water at $289 each including the $100 rebate.
I have been looking on Gum tree for the Dunlops, but I have been reading that the OEM tires are made of a different compound to ones brought off the shelf, so replacing with the same the tires won't be the same. I brought this up with the sales person, and he said that was true.
Ian, you have stated what you need for the tyres so go to a good local dealer - most of the big ones are ok as they have reputations to maintain. Remember the WordOfMouth system. It is a powerful tool in Townsville so it should be the same where you live.
I'm on my second set of Bridgestone AT-LT 697s on my Patrol (the car had 694s on it when I bought it) but your needs are different to mine & my car may be heavier than yours. I've heard Yokohama makes a good 4WD tyre too.
To go down to the wear indicators may be ok for town driving in dry weather but when towing &/or travelling at highway speeds on wet or dry roads, any "saving" may be ditched after a blowout! On most of my tyre changes, I've wondered about the extra 5-10,000 kms that I could have squeezed out of them but as we do a lot of travelling, the risk isn't worth it.
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Warren
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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!
Have Toyo open country on my cruiser just clocked 75000 and about 30000 of those towing 2700kg van . reckon they have about 10000 k left in them very happy with the toyo and price was more than competitive when I purchased 3 years ago. Cheers. Daz
The good word from two reliable and knowlegeable sources in the industry (mate who owns a large Kuhmo dealership and daughter who has shares in a tyre company ) is Toyo open country or Mickey Thompsons.
Not sure how the Yokohama geolanders will last, but so far with regular rotation and balance I like the fact they are wearing well. The tyres were new on the car when purchased so had no choice (previous two sets on landcruiser were Mickey Thompson, but most driving on stoney desert roads). What i like about the yokies is their country sealed road grip in the wet. I will see how long they last before committing to another set.
-- Edited by Stretch60 on Saturday 16th of June 2018 09:39:39 PM
