Steve replied:

You forgot to mention what vehicle you have got !
The Desert Duellers you menttion are like hen's teeth in the outback ! If you are serious, you will fit your vehicle with 7.50 x 16 split rims and you will be able to get 'help' in the form of a replacement tyre virtually anywhere !

Been there, done that
steve

Mike replied:

2 things, These days,usually you will find all of the major brands, to fit that size rim, available fairly quickly out there. Sometimes they may be a day away. Secondly, if you fit BFG A/Ts, you have a much lower chance of needing replacement tyres anyway.

slunnie replied:

Rich, be careful about putting on narrower rims. You can't put narrower rims on than the narrowest on the tyre placard in NSW. I thought that tyre was typical of many GQ Patrols (among not doubt a thousand other vehicles) and would have expected them to be out there. It may be cheaper to carry an additional tyre and tyre plyers and/or a repair kit - unless you're an outback dweller.

Tim replied:

7.50 x 16 splits are the way to go of course but when you are in outback any replacements available will be geared to the market and often are sturdy 12 to 14 ply heavy duty imports ( Aussie doesn't make them anyway ) and will be at the lower price range as the locals chew them up real quick !! You won't have to worry about matching as it is often a case of take it or leave it !!
In reality a decent set of 8 to 12 ply tyres fitted with new tubes will see you through all the tough stages with almost no problems.... BF' s and all those pricey tyres with quarantees of 80 k plus are not the same thing, and probably suit the city slicker 4wd's a lot better for their comfort level, not necessarily durability.


Tim

rich replied:

Thanks Tim, your information is most helpful. I suppose the question I SHOULD have asked is "If I run 8x15's, will I have trouble getting half decent off road tyres to fit?" My current summation is that as long as I don't want flash Desert Duellers or the overly-hyped BFG's, I'll be OK?

Tim replied:

I see no reason why you would want to run 8 x 15 rims and tyres in the outback... as said before by others you will have little or no hope of getting replacements to match in the bush, off the shelf, and you would be well advised to steer clear of anything that wide. Chances of staking and punching a hole in the tread are very real and a flat will almost certainly mean a bent up rim at the same time... Sorry to be so tough but you only have to look at the bent rims, and stuffed tyres that can be found all around the bush to realise that they are not for this kind of exposure... Keep to a narrow high walled and heavy duty tyre with split rims for the outback and leave the fatties at home for your return..