Which tyre size for a TLC 80 ?

[armadillo]

Which tyre size for a TLC 80 ? (for desert)

Here, in Spain, most people like, for desert trips, BFG AT, and secondly BFG MT. HC aficionados prefer Michelin XS. However there are 1000 opinions about the size, which, I guess, matters.

If I'm not wrong CS , in Sahara Overland recommends the possibility of using a tall tyre such as 900x16.

Which other size you may recommend or have experienced ?

Thanks a lot!

[Roman]

armadillo,

There's nothing wrong with BFG - now owned by Michelin. The brand is aimed at the consumer market and is an all rounder offering good value for money. You can spend a lot more on tyres without getting any evident advantage in terms of performance or longevity. XS is a highly specialist tyre - good on sand, scary on tarmac.

7.50 x 16 or 235x85x16 is the most popular size. Bigger tyres will drive better on sand but are more difficult to replace locally.

[Lone Rider]

You want a tire size that fits your gearing and driving conditions.
Then you chose a model/style of tire.

Wide tires at lower than street air pressure work well in sand. Strong sidewalls are a plus. All-terrain styles work better in sand than mud-terrain styles, unless you go as extreme as Interco Boggers which act as paddle tires in sand.

If there wasn't a limit of the budget, I'd go with BFG Baja T/A in something like a 33x12.50, but I don't know your wheel size. These tires are expensive, have 4 ply sidewalls, built for off road racing.

[marieandguy]

hi armadilo.

without going into too much investments of changing rims and and lifting the body for too big of wheels i would go for the bfg 265-75/16 AT. mud tyers tend to dig in in soft loose send and you don't want that to happen, on soft send you have to reduce your tyre pressure which put a lot of stress on the tyres walls there for a high tyre with higher side walls will suffer more from reducing air pressure, in go as bad as a blown tyre or the tyre falling of the rim.
i have a very good experience with bfg on several 4wd i owned including a lc75, they are a very reliable tyres and gives a sufficient traction, the AT wheel give a smoth ride on termac and perfect traction on send, and they do live much longer then any other tyre i had before (dunlop, goodyear etc.)
if you do want spend your money wisely, buy a good compressor, not the cheap Chinese ones.

have fun.

guy

[Roman]

Hi there,

Originally Posted by Lone Rider

You want a tire size that fits your gearing and driving conditions.

Unlike the LR, 80 series Landcruiser can take much bigger tyres - 35 inch tyres (with lift) are possible. This, however, is not a good choice for Africa.

... unless you go as extreme as Interco Boggers which act as paddle tires in sand.

Rather like digger scoops!

[noel di pietro]

Hi Armadillo,

There is an other factor to considder; ripping of the thread. In stoney desserts the BFG M/T are far superior to the A/T because of the massive blocs on the M/T rather that the serated blocks on the A/T. I have driven 60.000 km through Afica on my M/T and they are still ok! While we were driving with an identical car on A/T you could see the A/T wear down in the stoney deserts. On the other hand, while we were in the sandy desert (we crossed a.o. the Tenere and Grand Erg du Bilma) there was no noticeble difference between the A/T and M/T. Although the rummors are different, I can tell you from first hand that the M/T perform marvelous in the sand (compaired to the A/T). Obviously the Michelen XS is far supperior but they are useless in any other terain.

Goodluck !

Noel
www.exploreafrica.web-log.nl

[Gipper]

Armadillo,
depends where you are going - if heading on a Western Trans and through Sahel - (more chance of tyre damage IMO) - then I would go for 235/85 16 or 7.50x16 - its the easiest sizes to get on route.

Only if you are doing some specialized trip through the true Sahara would I consider a 255/85 16s ( a good size) or 9.00x16 (255/100 16)- (with a suspension lift) - though the 80 will pull the larger tyres - see post by idrubie.

As for tread type , again West Africa, Sahel to SA etc, id go with BFG Muds, as Noel says they are much tougher - for West Africa only and back to Europe id go with the BFG All Terrains.

Cheers
Grif