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Willem- Your views on Wide Vs Thin Tyres

Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 02, 2004 at 00:06

Boeing

Hi all,
Everyone knows that Willem has changed vehicles having gone from an old dato to a newer dato. Part of that process was changing from tube tyres to tubeless. Now that there have been a few trips under the belt, it would be interesting to get his views on both.

Regards

Mark
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AnswerID: 82694   Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 02, 2004 at 08:01

Member - Jimbo (VIC) replied:

Mark,

Whilst not wanting pre-empt the old chap, I just spent the weekend in Robe following him through some pretty soft sand and those Cooper STT's just churned their way through the sand sensationally.

I was really impressed at how he was able to take off from a standing start in the soft stuff with ease. And the way he kept churning through the soft stuff with little momentum was proof of the ability of these tyres.

Eric was running M/T's and it similarly churned through the soft stuff.

I have heard opinions before that agressive tyres simply dig in and bury in the soft stuff. That is contrary to what I saw on the weekend. My A/T's on a lighter vehicle buried themselves far quicker than Willie's STT's on a much heavier vehicle. Could also have a bit to do with driver skill.

I'll be going for the more agressive ones next time.

Cheers,

Jim
Reply 1 of 3
AnswerID: 82704   Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 02, 2004 at 09:09

Member - Chris M (QLD) replied:

Howdy!

I agree with Jimbo. I have been told several times that narrower tyres are better on the soft stuff. I have run the standard cheese cutters and have dropped pressures to 15-20psi. Whilst there is an impressive 'bellow effect' of the tyre which gives you a wider track on the sand, have a look at an MTR or BGF Mudder on the sand running 15psi.

I have since my first 4wd run mud terrains on sand and have never had a problem when aired down. I've seen alot of people get themselves into trouble by leaving pressures up, even on the skinnies. Further alot of people forget to air down trailer tyres causing alot of probs.

It takes a bit of time to learn how to drive on sand, but once you've got it, mudders/wide or skinnies, you shouldn't have too much trouble when airing down.

cheers

Chris.
Reply 2 of 3
FollowupID: 341814   Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 02, 2004 at 17:55

Member - Jeff M (WA) posted:

AMEN!
Sand = Low Tyre pressure FULL STOP.


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#2 Yellowdine National Park
#3 Powerline Trek - Saywers Valley
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FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 82758   Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 02, 2004 at 18:10

Willem replied:

Hi Mark

Having said my piece and advanced the cause for skinny tyres many times on this forum I now have to admit that the 265/75/16 Cooper STT's are very good in sand, gravel and rocky country. As Jimbo says...the GQ was sitting on its belly. I engaged 2nd low and drove out. On the recent Simpson trip the Coopers performed very well and I made it over the all the dunes without fail. I still have skinnys on my tralier. I am planning the big WA bush trip for next year and will then further test the reliability of the wide tyres where stakes are common. I will be caarying special tubes for the 265's incase I need them.

I also have a set of Kelly Safari AWR 265/75/16 tyres on alloys which I use for sealed roads and they look like they will do good kilometres.

So Yeah, I am a convert to wide tyres. ......LOL
Karoo Jackal
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Willem

There is more than one way to bag a bunny

Reply 3 of 3
FollowupID: 341830   Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 02, 2004 at 20:23

Boeing posted:

Hi Willem, Appreciate your views.

Regards

Mark
FollowUp 1 of 6
FollowupID: 341837   Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 02, 2004 at 20:59

Phil G posted:

Hi Willem,

Don't underestimate your Kellys. Lots in our club like them for desert travel. Good mileage, no chipping and rarely puncture. Like you, I have 2 sets of 265/75 (Kelly AWR and Goodyear MTR) and now favour the Kellys for desert trips.

Tubeless punctures are best plugged on the vehicle - takes 5 minutes and saves the sweat. Did the Madigan Line this year with David Owen and he plugs everything - we didn't need to get a jack out. He tells you not to bother taking tubes any more.

I converted to tubeless 8 years ago after being a split rim diehard and haven't looked back.

Cheers
Phil
Adelaide
FollowUp 2 of 6
FollowupID: 341839   Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 02, 2004 at 21:08

Willem posted:

Thanks Phil,

I surmise that the Kelly's will be more robust in the trackless country and will weigh up the situation when the time arrives.

I have a plug set etc but want to carry a tube incase I cut a sidewall.

The Madigan Line must have been a blast. Haven't been there myself but did a similar trip just a bit to the west of the Line some years ago.

Karoo Jackal
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Willem

There is more than one way to bag a bunny

FollowUp 3 of 6
FollowupID: 341898   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 03, 2004 at 10:19

Schevchenko posted:

Willem - how have you found the noise on bitumen? can you give any comparisons to other tyres?
FollowUp 4 of 6
FollowupID: 341911   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 03, 2004 at 13:34

Glenn (VIC) posted:

Hi Willem,

I have the Kelly Safari MSR on my Cruiser and love them. They have done over 10000kms now and have taken me along the Plenty Hwy, Birdsville Track, Simpson Desert, Little Desert, Flinders Ranges with ease. I will be fitting them again I assure you. I have had two punctures that were plugged quite easily, caused by sharp stones piercing between the lugs. I would have loved to see how they performed on the beaches at Robe, but that was not to be. The first thing I will be doing is replacing the S/H AT's on the camper trailer with Kelly Safari MSR's. Kelly Tyres were a lot cheaper than Coopers also.

Cheers
FollowUp 5 of 6
FollowupID: 341932   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 03, 2004 at 17:24

Phil G posted:

Yes Willem, I enjoyed every minute of the Madigan Line. But lots of others don't. Not many will do it for a second time. 10 days of idling over lumpy spinifex is a challenge I enjoyed. The vegetation, wildlife, camels, fresh air, freezing nights around those brilliant gidgee campfires.................. And a lot of fun playing with the GPS and ozi.

Another group ahead of us sounded like they were doing it hard...

I actually used the MTRs for that trip - no punctures and aired down to about 18psi.

I enjoyed reading you "Spinifex trail" before we went - great adventure that was.

Cheers
Phil
FollowUp 6 of 6

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