View Full Version : Best Expedition type Tires
Kyle_T
04-30-2008, 10:38 PM
What are the opinions about a good all around expedition ready tire that can handle any situation in north america or beyond.
The Adam Blaster
05-01-2008, 10:46 AM
I'd say whatever is readily available/replaceble in the region you are travelling.
Don't go with odd-ball sizes, and stick with major manufacturers, unless you want to take 4 extra spares with you. ;)
miniyota
05-01-2008, 10:57 AM
i'd say you want a radial. something tough enough off road, traction, and you can still use on the pavement when you have drive on it.
i like BFG tires. i've only popped one sidewall. you can get them anywhere. stick with 31,33, or 35 inch tall tires. every off-road shop shoud carry that size standard. my opinion of course.
OlympicYJ
05-01-2008, 12:41 PM
Cooper STT. They seem to be popular world over. I hear the Aussies love em. I can attest to the fact that they are a tough tire. My Jeep was towed up last fall and will be driven back down in 12 days.
The roads in Alaska and the road down aren't exactly the smoothest in the world. A little chunking but not bad considering they hit chuck holes at 60 and 70 miles an hour. They seem to work well in snow and the mud traction isn't bad. The ice performance is outstanding for a mud terrain. Drove around all winter on them.
The Adam Blaster
05-01-2008, 01:15 PM
I like the tread pattern in the Cooper STT, i'm curious if they are sold in central america, europe and asia also???
OlympicYJ
05-01-2008, 02:41 PM
They are a nice tire. I went where my buddy with 38 boggers on a chevy 2500 did. Only I didn't have nearly the size of tire nor power to spin them. I was pleased with their percormance. We were in mud and they worked good.
They are. Here is a link to the list of Dealers outside of N. America.
http://www.coopertires.com/html/dealerlocator_outsidena.aspx
Here are some pics of my tires. Different places and times.
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd171/OlympicYJ/Summer07116.jpg
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd171/OlympicYJ/2007moving021.jpg
miniyota
05-01-2008, 03:33 PM
i'm not a fan of copper tires at all. as far as i'm concerned they are garbage. those SST's do not last. we had a set on a 3/4 ton dodge in the oil field (pumper truck) that wore out in 6 months. they were shreded. the truck was driven on a mix of gravel and paved roads. they only lasted about 16K miles.
i've had the BFG muds twice now. they are great. they last a very long time. i got 35K miles out of my last pair, i gave them away and they still had 1/4 of the tread left.
OlympicYJ
05-01-2008, 05:11 PM
A 3/4 ton with heavy pumping equipment will wear those BFGs out too. Mud terrain tires aren't a tire that will last 30,000 miles under a heavy truck. A jeep yes. Even a daily driven 2500 unloaded driven on gravel roads will still last longer. Tire wear and performance all has to do with the weight of the vehicle, terrrain, and driver style. Driver style factoring in a bunch. Oilfield and construction workers don't baby equipment. Except for Associated Pipline who are still using the same trucks they had back when they built the Trans Alaska Pipeline. lol
People in Alaska seem to like the Coopers too. STT's and other models. But allot of people switch tires when winter comes.
In WA the Toyo M/T is a very popular tire also. But that has to do with LesSchwab pusing those tires and not carrying Coopers. I know, a friend of mine works at one.
miniyota
05-01-2008, 07:15 PM
pumper trucks here.
these guys drive around and check the pumps, they don't carry any more then hand tools. one tool box is about it.
Filthy McChevy
05-01-2008, 07:37 PM
I've had several BFG ATs blow sidewalls, anymore I just run whatever tire I get a smoking deal on. Its really luck as much as anything. One time I got a puncture that almost ruined a brand new Goodyear Wrangler from a 5/16 x 2 inch lag bolt on Engineer pass miles from any town. I get more flats when I carry 2 spares too, so I just carry one out of superstition based on past results.
OlympicYJ
05-01-2008, 08:15 PM
I've had several BFG ATs blow sidewalls, anymore I just run whatever tire I get a smoking deal on. Its really luck as much as anything. One time I got a puncture that almost ruined a brand new Goodyear Wrangler from a 5/16 x 2 inch lag bolt on Engineer pass miles from any town. I get more flats when I carry 2 spares too, so I just carry one out of superstition based on past results.
Some people just have bad luck with tires. I know a guy that had gun BFG all terrains and would attract flats. He got a set of the Toyo M/Ts and thought he might have better luck. First time he went up in the snow he sliced one open on a piece of plastic. Some people just have bad tire Karma.
miniyota
05-01-2008, 11:22 PM
i don't know, i guess run a tire that best suits your needs.
i bought BFG Mud KM's for my commander because they were on sale at tirerack for $93 a piece for 32" tall tires. with shipping it came out to a little over $600 for 5 tires.
around here buying the same thing would have cost me over $1000 :eek::barf:
Disco12
05-01-2008, 11:26 PM
I'm going to say BFG KM muds.
I have them on my truck and they perform very good.
once these wear out
I'm going for the KM2's
AxlesUp
05-01-2008, 11:30 PM
simex centipede
cooper stt
bfg mt
Doron_B
05-03-2008, 09:59 AM
I run the third set of 31" MTR on my 97' Hilux (I can't put anything bigger-very problematic laws around here )
The first set wore out un-even probably because I didn’t do much rotation but still they got as far as 90K km.
The second set with rotation every 20K km held up to 115K km before they began to show significant wear-actually I was looking for any sign of wear as an excuse to fresh up the tire's..
About 30%~ of the km was off road, low~ tire pressure when off road (18 front, 24 rear et all terrain types) on 5000lbs truck.
No flats on both sets and that’s whay the third set is also MTR.
MatLax
05-03-2008, 11:49 AM
I'm considering buying a set of those:
http://www.nokiantires.com/images/highres/vatiiva_mt.jpg
Nokian Vatiiva M/T... I know they can be found easily in Canada, in Alaska it seems to be the same (sine Nokian make some of the best winter tires), but I'm wondering about the rest of the US?
PROJECTJUNKIE
05-03-2008, 02:45 PM
I don't think it would be that important to buy tires that are available world wide, unless you are hoping for some sort of warranty service. To me it would make more sense to buy 5 or 6 of the best tires available in a size that is available where you are headed. If you have tire problems, you come home with an oddball tire, instead of heading out with so so tires and coming home on who knows what.
I run BFG ATs on nearly everything, and have had a few sets of MTs, I love them dearly, great ride, traction, wear, sidewall strength. The ATs get tore up in the rocks if you spin them. I have picked up nails and they have always held air untill I got it to the tire shop. I had one freak flat, a sidewall punctured in a brand new 35" MT from a thorn 3/16" dia on a well traveled 2track in the desert. The kind of place you go without packing a plug kit or making sure that some tweaker didn't steal your 4way:homer: Being the experienced offroader asking your buddy in a 2wd truck to get another lug wrench is a learning experience.
I took a set of BFG ATs off of my DD and put on a set of MTRs. They ride like tracks, and can hardly keep it on the road. In their defense, they are load range Ds and my truck is too light for a good ride. The few times I've had them offroad they have done great, and wear really good.
Slunnie
05-04-2008, 08:39 AM
Cooper STT. They seem to be popular world over. I hear the Aussies love em. I can attest to the fact that they are a tough tire. My Jeep was towed up last fall and will be driven back down in 12 days.
Hmmm, I dunno. Cooper has some excellent marketing down here, and they make sure that they're in your face whenever you're thinking tyres, and likewise they seem to supply at least 1 magazine with tyres. Cooper tyres (tires???) seem to polarise people though. Some love them, but there are also a lot of people that hate them, with a lot of damage happening to Coopers reputation with the ST and how fragile the tyre is.
I tend to like the Goodyear MTR as a touring tyre.
Then again, Australian touring and US expedition may be slightly different.
OlympicYJ
05-04-2008, 03:51 PM
Hmmm, I dunno. Cooper has some excellent marketing down here, and they make sure that they're in your face whenever you're thinking tyres, and likewise they seem to supply at least 1 magazine with tyres. Cooper tyres (tires???) seem to polarise people though. Some love them, but there are also a lot of people that hate them, with a lot of damage happening to Coopers reputation with the ST and how fragile the tyre is.
I tend to like the Goodyear MTR as a touring tyre.
Then again, Australian touring and US expedition may be slightly different.
Just about any tire manufacturer will do that. There are a few people running coopers here in the US. Mostly on your daily driven type rig. I can attest to them working in the snow and ice though. And Cooper pushed them a little bit here but not much. A couple of write ups and that was about it.
Yeah it's tire here in the US.
Rhinoracer
05-04-2008, 07:36 PM
How about the BFG Projects? They're almost undestructible.
Andy351
05-04-2008, 07:53 PM
swampers.
rockcrawln
05-04-2008, 08:54 PM
How about the BFG Projects? They're almost undestructible.
Pics? Never heard of a BFG project?
Rhinoracer
05-04-2008, 10:27 PM
Pics? Never heard of a BFG project?
They are used by 800+HP TT's . Here's a link to some pics of them.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=174851
They are similar to BFG Baja TA tires but racing construction.
spork2367
05-05-2008, 01:00 PM
this is the tire to use :flipoff2:
may not be the most available, but has the look of a true expedition tire. i suppose if someone were looking for the ideal expedition tire it would be a Q78 about a 35 x 10.5-11 widely available in off road tires in most countries.
jasonmt
05-05-2008, 01:44 PM
9.00x16 Michelin XZL
https://www.expeditionexchange.com/michelin/DSC02123.jpg
https://www.expeditionexchange.com/michelin/DSC02127.jpg
https://www.expeditionexchange.com/michelin/DSC02126.jpg
MunkeyTX
05-05-2008, 06:15 PM
They are used by 800+HP TT's . Here's a link to some pics of them.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=174851
They are similar to BFG Baja TA tires but racing construction.
Your link is bad...goes to a post about a Suzuki caliper :confused:
HandBuilt
05-05-2008, 07:45 PM
9.00x16 Michelin XZL
Yeah, definitely! I run XMLs on my rig and they are a pretty good tire, these would be awesome.
miniyota
05-05-2008, 08:00 PM
this is the BFG project tire. basically a baja tire but a more agressive tread.
http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3930&d=1081568647
miniyota
05-05-2008, 08:01 PM
here is the regular baja tire
http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/bfg-02516_w.jpg
MatLax
05-05-2008, 09:09 PM
I guess you meant the contrary ;)
The Adam Blaster
05-05-2008, 10:20 PM
As funny as this sounds coming from me being in the tire business...
Jason, do you have a supplier that can readily get those XZL's?
good year workhorse, i have gotten 65000 + miles on them with lots of tread left
http://www.goodyeartires.com/goodyeartireselector/display_tire.jsp?prodline=Workhorse+Extra+Grip&mrktarea=Light+Truck&treadwidth=&aspectratio=&rimdiameter=&sidewall
they have never failed me, i believe they were designed for the Wyoming mining indistery
Beat95YJ
05-06-2008, 12:02 AM
this is the BFG project tire. basically a baja tire but a more agressive tread.
http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3930&d=1081568647
cough, less aggressive, cough...
My $.02 would be for a Michelin or a bfg baja, not a project.
spork2367
05-06-2008, 12:12 AM
i've heard that the michelins weight a ton.
BFG MT's have always done the job for me.. Good off road, and wear well on road (100K+). Grip never was a problem althoug I don't drive my 110 like a rally car. Only one time when I was speeding up to merge into the highway and some dick slammed on his brake right in front of me while I was loaded up with 800 kilo's of crap in the back did I break out a sweat. But I stopped in time, and dickface in front of me will never forget the sound of 4 squeling MT's and a huge heavy duty winch bumper closing in in his rear view mirror. :D
But I would go with the advise given above me.. Just buy a good set and two spares before you leave, and then when you do need to replace them halfway down your trip in africa or asia or whereever your going, just get the best tires you can find.
jasonmt
05-06-2008, 08:44 AM
As funny as this sounds coming from me being in the tire business...
Jason, do you have a supplier that can readily get those XZL's?
The Kal Tire connection tells me he can get them but they would take a while to get and not be cheap (2K+ for 5) hence I have not been willing to pony up. They apparently have some local oil companies that run trucks locally and overseas equipped with the XZL's. I ran the same size in XL's before and while I would not run the XL's as a first choice for local stuff for long distance travel they are a solid tyre.
Rhinoracer
05-06-2008, 12:25 PM
cough, less aggressive, cough...
They are plenty aggressive, definitely the tires to have if you're traversing the Baja by yourself.
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s83/rhinoracer/SanFeliperam.jpg
maxyedor
05-06-2008, 01:46 PM
They are plenty aggressive, definitely the tires to have if you're traversing the Baja by yourself.
Agressive and durrable are two different things. The BFG project tread is designed to not have a ton of grip in order to save rear-ends when you plan on jumping a truck several thousand times over the course of a day. The MT style tread Bajas are great, but still have very little grip due to hard compound, durrable as hell though. They also make the Baja Brawlers, not very common, but have a Project casing and a tread pattern similar to a Krawler.
My vote is for BFG MTs, mine have held up to thousands and thousands of miles of overland expepedition type terrian, a decent amount of rocks, snow, mud, sand, shale, and 50k freeway miles. They're getting close to worn out, but I'll buy another set in a heartbeat.
The Adam Blaster
05-06-2008, 01:55 PM
The Kal Tire connection tells me he can get them but they would take a while to get and not be cheap (2K+ for 5) hence I have not been willing to pony up. They apparently have some local oil companies that run trucks locally and overseas equipped with the XZL's. I ran the same size in XL's before and while I would not run the XL's as a first choice for local stuff for long distance travel they are a solid tyre.
Well, i have been trying to get info on these tires lookin around the 'net and stuff, not getting too far. I don't think my new company has access to them.
I found out that the 900-16 is almost 36" tall.
I noticed that it's been available in a slightly smaller size of 8.25-16.
I would imagine that's closer to a 32" or 33" tall tire???
jasonmt
05-06-2008, 02:43 PM
8.25x16 is going to be ~34" tall and 9.25" wide but I do not think that this size was ever available in NA in the XZL though.
HandBuilt
05-06-2008, 02:46 PM
8.25x16 is going to be ~34" tall and 9.25" wide but I do not think that this size was ever available in NA in the XZL though.
They will be around in the near future. The CDN GWagens run this size. Take-offs will likely trickle down and I am sure thougt the production is currently apportioned for DND we will eventually see some offered for sale.
maxyedor
05-06-2008, 02:55 PM
Best way to get 33" XZLs is to go to an MOD surplus auction, the British military runs them on all their Defenders as the normal service tire in a 7.5x16 I believe, you can find them cheap, you just mite have to buy more than you wanted to get a deal.
HandBuilt
05-06-2008, 02:57 PM
i've heard that the michelins weight a ton.
Yeah, they do, but the weight difference is worse in the big sizes. The 900R16s and under are not that bad in comparison to a comparable tire. Above a 900 you are getting into tires thta are intended for a waaay different purpose. The 325/85R16s are rated at 5K lbs single load, which puts them in a different category than your average 38 swamper. I really like mine, I have put quite a bit of highway miles on them and they are very good. Only thing they really suck at is snow, I had to get a set of 37 BFG ATs for the winter as the XMLs were USELESS on snow and ice.
The Adam Blaster
05-06-2008, 03:16 PM
Best way to get 33" XZLs is to go to an MOD surplus auction, the British military runs them on all their Defenders as the normal service tire in a 7.5x16 I believe, you can find them cheap, you just mite have to buy more than you wanted to get a deal.
Jason, don't you have access to a large storage area at your brother's place? :laughing:
jasonmt
05-06-2008, 04:04 PM
They will be around in the near future. The CDN GWagens run this size. Take-offs will likely trickle down and I am sure thougt the production is currently apportioned for DND we will eventually see some offered for sale.
That sounds much better than the 6.50x16 XCL takeoffs from the Iltis:nuke:
Jason, don't you have access to a large storage area at your brother's place? :laughing:
They may or may not be a couple thousand feet, you better get some 9.00x16 along with your 8.25/7.50x16 or both of us will be in trouble instead of just me.
JESSE_at_TLT
05-14-2008, 02:02 PM
9.00x16 Michelin XZL
Those Michelins are what I would run for sure.
85blue4runner
05-20-2008, 04:54 PM
Toyo makes several high load tires in an Open Country AT and MT. They would be suited for large or heavier rigs or where higher floatation is needed. They are not skinny like the 8.25 and 9.00 Michelins, with most being 245 - 305.
There are PDFs available of tire specs from Toyo's website and I am pretty sure that Toyo owns Nitto, so some of the carcasses are shared, though the Nitto's seemed to have a lower load limit.
The Adam Blaster
05-20-2008, 08:35 PM
There are PDFs available of tire specs from Toyo's website and I am pretty sure that Toyo owns Nitto, .
I'm about 99% sure that is the case.
Colorado Ron
05-22-2008, 08:53 AM
The Super Swamper SSR! I actually did a writeup on why this is the best choice out there: http://www.offroad-adventure-travel.com/tech-best-expedition-tire.html
These are seriously tough, and much easier to find than XZLs in a 16 inch rim.
The Adam Blaster
05-22-2008, 12:26 PM
Ron, how is the availability of the SSR outside of Canada and the U.S.?
I honestly have no idea how far-ranging their market is.
bucksntrucks969
05-22-2008, 12:39 PM
i have been running SSR's for a couple years, including a 3 week long stint in Baja. They held up great but they dont wear well.
now im running 11.00r16 Michelin XZL's they are incredible, they ride super smooth on the highway, and they wear much better.
they are quite heavy, but i feel there weight is a bi-product of thier exceptional construction, they are extremely round and took <8oz to balance each.
98lux
05-22-2008, 07:12 PM
Why has no one mentioned the Mickey Thompson tyres (tires)
There are a lot of people useing the MTZ and the Baja radial claw over here in OZ. and for touring (you call it expedition) the FC11 seams popular.
The Adam Blaster
05-22-2008, 11:05 PM
How well do the Mickey's wear? How many km's do you get out of a set? Do they chunk out in gravel or rocky terrain?
I guess the chunking out isn't too much of a concern in some parts of the world, but up north heading to northern Canada or Alaska the highways are basically gravel roads and can chew up tires pretty quickly...
Chainlink
06-03-2008, 06:39 PM
I'm considering buying a set of those:
http://www.nokiantires.com/images/highres/vatiiva_mt.jpg
Nokian Vatiiva M/T... I know they can be found easily in Canada, in Alaska it seems to be the same (sine Nokian make some of the best winter tires), but I'm wondering about the rest of the US?I just saw these for the first time a few days ago, very nice tire. I have run Nokians many many winters and like them a lot. I have even run their sport tires on an Audi A4 with over 300 HP and loved them.
A close friend of mine hates Nokians...1 rig Jeep TJ lots of lift very light, short wheel base.One time, one winter...not enough time to form an opinion(my take anyway) I am a Toyota guy and these rigs have a better wheelbase but are as light in the rear as they come. Nokians make winter wheeling much better, add studs and they are tanks.
I put the Nokian Vatiiva light truck all seasons on my wifes 04 Durango and dang if my Nokian hating buddy didn't change his mind....wants a set for his wifes Durango.
I am in the market for a new set of tires and trying to decide between the M/T and L/T. I Am leaning towards the M/T as I have a set of winter Hakks already.
By the way I have run winter Nokians all year round before which wears them out quickly but they actually wheel decent in all but mud.
LR Max
06-04-2008, 07:09 AM
I run BFG MTs. They wear well and I haven't had any problems out of them. I consider them to be a good all around tire.
docroh
06-04-2008, 08:21 AM
Bridgestone REVOS. 285/75/r19 and 10 ply side wall and wear really well....you'll pay out the nose for them tho.
The Adam Blaster
06-04-2008, 10:51 AM
19 inch rims are NOT easy to find these days...
snowdrift
06-18-2008, 12:21 AM
Any other narrow tires 34’’ to 35’’ tall that any one knows of.
JESSE_at_TLT
06-18-2008, 12:22 AM
255/85/16 BFG Mud Terrains
snowdrift
06-18-2008, 08:52 AM
255/85/16 BFG Mud Terrains
Did not see those, Didn’t someone make a 35x10.50?
strong_like_tractor
06-18-2008, 12:55 PM
Interco makes a 35x10.5 SSR
chevy_man
06-22-2008, 03:35 AM
BFG's can be had in all sorts of odd-ball sizes which is a bonus, but they're not my favorite tire. I'd go with the michelin's personally, because they're incredibly tough and long lasting with decent traction. I'd also bet that the michelins are easier to get overseas than they are in the US.
I love my yoko 742s but they only come in a 235/85r16 and a 7.50r15 I believe. They wear a long time, and I have several cuts in my sidewalls, along with the 2 1/2" sheetrock screw that I drove into the tread, with no air leakage.
Simex's would be awesome to get, but you can't buy them in the US. I see them on damn near every rig from other countries though, and they seem to have quite the reputation everywhere they're available. You should pic up a set and send them to me if nothing else, I'll pay shipping....
If worst comes to worst, you can always buy another set of anything else to get you by.
p14175
06-22-2008, 10:57 AM
I have 11.00-16 XLs on my Dodge. I am using the factory steel wheels. The tire-wheel combo weighs about 135-lbs. Because of the weight and size of tires I am working on a spare tire carrier design which includes using a utility (ATV) winch to make it easier to load and unload the spare tire.
roscoFJ73
06-23-2008, 11:16 PM
Cooper STT. They seem to be popular world over. I hear the Aussies love em. .
:confused: They tell us they are Americas favourite tyre. Some Aussies love em and some have some stories to tell:rolleyes:
Elwenil
06-24-2008, 12:08 AM
They aren't my favorite tire, lol. I'd say the most popular brand in the US for wheelers is BF Goodrich closely followed by whatever crap Interco happens to be shovelling.
Chrisbuilt
06-25-2008, 10:49 AM
BFG's can be had in all sorts of odd-ball sizes which is a bonus, but they're not my favorite tire. I'd go with the michelin's personally, because they're incredibly tough and long lasting with decent traction. I'd also bet that the michelins are easier to get overseas than they are in the US.
Michelin owns BF Goodrich.... Parent company.
yotasmob
06-28-2008, 05:41 PM
Havnt seen much mention of Goodyear MTRs. Those would be my choice, they are tough, long lived, and great traction in all terrains. especially rocks
mrbishi
06-28-2008, 08:24 PM
I'm running 33x12.5 Goodyear MTRs and love them. They have been punished out on the tracks here and have never let me down. Everything from low pressure sand/beach work, to outback punishing tracks full of loose sharp rocks and sticks.
The other guys in our club run Mickey T - MTZs and Maxis Bighorns. One comment the guys with the MTZs make is they feel they are a bit soft and chip out a bit more than the MTRs on the terrain we have over here.
Here's a MTZ aired down going over some typical terrain on one of our last outback runs.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/2547781178_f23bc200bf.jpg
peterhenry
07-01-2008, 12:24 AM
Any tyre brand tall with aggressive tread pattern and 10ply also carry three spares!!!!
jayblizzo187
08-19-2008, 10:55 AM
This was a very informative thread as far as brand and size is concerned, but could someone tell me why it is favorable to get a 35x10.5 which seems a bit of a strange tire size instead of a 35x12.5 which is very common? I dont get the whole tall skinny thing and nobody seems to have explained it.
O yea, srry for bringin back a dead thread.
Elwenil
08-19-2008, 11:45 AM
Generally tall tires are obviously good for ground clearance but skinny tires are better for traction on most surfaces since you have higher ground pressure. Wide tires offer more stability and floatation, so they can be advantageous in certain circumstances but it all depends on your intended terrain. But generally speaking, a skinny tire is better for traction on "most" surfaces on "most" vehicles.
turtle4x4
08-22-2008, 02:17 PM
Generally tall tires are obviously good for ground clearance but skinny tires are better for traction on most surfaces since you have higher ground pressure. Wide tires offer more stability and floatation, so they can be advantageous in certain circumstances but it all depends on your intended terrain. But generally speaking, a skinny tire is better for traction on "most" surfaces on "most" vehicles.
can someone explain what terrain a skinny tire would be best suited for
same question for a wider tire
thomatt12
10-22-2008, 08:22 PM
My choice is BF Goodrich AT tires. Traction is good and it works well for me.
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The Adam Blaster
10-23-2008, 05:57 PM
can someone explain what terrain a skinny tire would be best suited for
same question for a wider tire
Well, that question could spark a pretty long debate because a lot of people have pretty strong feelings for the pros and cons of both types of tires and how well they work in various different conditions.
For mud, some guys like tall 'n skinny because they think the tire cuts down to firmer soil and you get better traction. Some think the same in sandy conditions, this is true if the softer layers are thin, but not in the desert type conditions where the sand can be pretty deep.
Then you want a tire as fat as possible to float across the surface of the sand and not sink all the way down to the axles. ;)
BAGDADEXPRESS
10-26-2008, 06:17 AM
This was a very informative thread as far as brand and size is concerned, but could someone tell me why it is favorable to get a 35x10.5 which seems a bit of a strange tire size instead of a 35x12.5 which is very common? I dont get the whole tall skinny thing and nobody seems to have explained it.
O yea, srry for bringin back a dead thread.
The following link will give you the best understanding. Another 255/85/16 (e) has hit the market seen it at tirerack.
http://www.expeditionswest.com/research/white_papers/tire_selection_rev1.html
r0nin89
10-26-2008, 11:41 AM
Are simex tires available int he states yet?
DiscoDino
10-26-2008, 11:48 AM
Are simex tires available int he states yet?
As far as I know, they aren't DOT approved yet...
Some dudes (Land Rover dudes) imported some to the US for offroad use only, but not sure if they still have any...
FWIW, I ran the 35" Simex ETs...very similar to the boggers...the Jungle Trekker IIs are VERY sweet...but also similar to the SX or Irok in certain areas...
1sicbronconut
10-26-2008, 03:01 PM
Haven't dealt with them but here you go. http://www.washbrook.net/Simex%20Tires.htm and one more http://21st-century-tires.com/simex/suvspecs.html the last one might just be a importer?
They are plenty aggressive, definitely the tires to have if you're traversing the Baja by yourself.
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s83/rhinoracer/SanFeliperam.jpg
Agressive and durrable are two different things. The BFG project tread is designed to not have a ton of grip in order to save rear-ends when you plan on jumping a truck several thousand times over the course of a day. The MT style tread Bajas are great, but still have very little grip due to hard compound, durrable as hell though. They also make the Baja Brawlers, not very common, but have a Project casing and a tread pattern similar to a Krawler.
My vote is for BFG MTs, mine have held up to thousands and thousands of miles of overland expepedition type terrian, a decent amount of rocks, snow, mud, sand, shale, and 50k freeway miles. They're getting close to worn out, but I'll buy another set in a heartbeat.
:shaking:A more filled in tread works better in sand and rock... What's all throughout Baja?
desteurm
10-30-2008, 01:53 PM
Any other narrow tires 34’’ to 35’’ tall that any one knows of.
Swamper Bias TSL size is Q78...has 27/32" tread depth. Comes in 15 and 16 inch wheel size and not super $$$
The simex tires look like a swamper TSL knock off
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