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Equipping the Overland Vehicle Vehicle accessories - Making your home away from home comfortable, safe and reliable.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 10 Jan 2006
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tyres
I'm fitting out a Landrover 130 for a year in Africa. I'm a bit unsure about what tyres to fit... Am looking at BF Goodrich All Terrain or Mud Terrain.... but what would you all recommend ?

thanks,

Simon
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  #2  
Old 10 Jan 2006
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Hi, this has been covered quite extensively (Those who are not out enjoying themselves try to compensate by opining on such technical matters) try a search of for tyres and tires (americans who can't spell)

In resumé:
Mich XZL for grip, Mich XZY for incredible longevity but not much grip in mud
BF AT for good kms (beware fragile sidewalls, don't run them too soft on stony ground)
BF MT for grip but not for as long as the XZL

In sand tyre pressure and diameter are much greater factors than tread profile.
By the time you get to the goopy stuff your lovely new tyres will be worn to the average level of everyone around you and so the decision when you left will have been less important.

All four models mentioned have done the trip
It's up to you to decide what you want to drive on and where.

Happy planning
Luke
(I'm one of the frustrated ones that isn't out there having fun)
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  #3  
Old 11 Jan 2006
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Hi,

Luke pretty much covered it all. I summarised it in about the same way here: http:/www.radiobaobab.be/index.php?id=101

Check out the links on the bottom of that page to the carmaleon website. Very detailed info on tyre selection there, but unfortunatly it's in German only...

Cheers,

Fred (member of the frustrated gang)
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  #4  
Old 11 Jan 2006
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Thanks Guys,
I'm just not sure if the AT will be tough enough over rocky / stony ground. I'll be driving a fairly heavy 130 with a motorbike on the back and mainly spending time in North Africa.

I reckon the AT will be best in sand but actually, in my experience, there's more rock, stones, gravel and latterite than pure sand really. Do you rekcon under theose circumstances the MT would be a better choice ?

BTW... I know there isn;t really and 'right' answer.... I've done laods of desert stuff on motorbikes but they work in an entirely different way !

Simon
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  #5  
Old 11 Jan 2006
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If you don't plan on doing muddy stuff and are concerned about strength: Michelin XZY. Very expensive but indestructable tyre. More of a road pattern, great in sand, can be deflated to the extreme. The 12 steel plies will protect them on the rocks.
They come in standard 7.50r16 size, which should be great for a laro.

Availability and price is the problem with the michelin.
But you can't go wrong with a bfg mud... (have them too)
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  #6  
Old 11 Jan 2006
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I ended up using BFG MTs on my 110 and I wouldn't change. For me there are a really good compromise. As previously mentioned when tyre pressure is lowered, the tread pattern doesn't matter that much. Been Trans africa with them, then went back down to Morocco last year with another 110 running all terrains. All terrains got stuck on rock going over Atlas, in snow, both times mud terrains had more grip. In sand, no difference, both worked well. Down to personal choice and no right or wrong answer but MTs work for me.
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  #7  
Old 12 Jan 2006
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Luke said-those who are not out enjoying themselves try to compensate by opining on such technical matters)

i regularly go out and enjoy myself and feel qualified to offer up an opinion. Some tyres suit different vehicles better but for my 80 series Land Cruiser i opted for BFG ATs. But based on what friends have been saying, i may go for Cooper Discoverers next time... but may take a while as my BFGs seem like they will alst a while.

There. I've opined. Or is it just the way I walk?


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  #8  
Old 12 Jan 2006
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About 80% of the Dakar cars run BFG MTs, the rest on XZLs although I did see one on ATs

XZYs have now upgraded to 14 ply steel radial (at least the ones I found in France) and are almost eternal.
I blew out two running soft trying to follow a guide over dunes in Mori. Metal (in the plies) fatigues quicker than nylon so go slowly when they're let down.

I'm also perfectly happy with a pair of Bridgestone Muds that I bought in the factory shop in Bethune (pretty much on the way if you cross at Calais) at 30% discount.

The Cooper Discoverys and also General Grabbers have done the job for others.

I'm pining more than opining at the moment...

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