Towing a caravan with 33 inch tyres?

Stephen, that response from you comes across as negative and failed to address the posters query.
This forum is usually a great resource but replies like yours drag it down to an unpleasant level.
Try being helpful......it's a great experience.
Hopefully someone who can and wants to answer the questions will be along shortly.

Try and have a great day

Cheers
Crusader

Crusader......

Please read my reply again.......

The tracks that they want to travel on are very good outback roads and then they will only be doing 50/50 dirt / bitumen driving, so on that scenario, the 33 tyres are a complete overkill.

My Toyo AT2 LT tyres usually do 80/20......and the 80% is dirt and they are fantastic and have driven on many of Australia’s unique outback roads and not one puncture.

So I feel by saying I have not answers the question, shows you are the one that has brought it down to “ an unpleasant level “

Next question to you, have you had any experience with the Oodnadatta Track, Birdsville Track or the tracks in the Cape?

I stand by what I have said, a good quality AT/LT tyre will do those tracks in its stride.

Stephen,
Ok - I've re-read your reply and perhaps I should have been more specific.

Your suggestion was that:
"Sounds like you only want a tyre for looks over tyres that are practical for our outback roads "

This was ,I felt, a bit judgmental of Genes intentions and that can be discouraging for posters asking questions about matters that they are seeking guidance on - perhaps simply saying those size tires aren't necessarily the best for your needs could be considered more friendly.

The question pertained to fuel economy and gearing - perhaps that's where the answer could best be directed. Most often your posts and answers are full of useful knowledge and experience and are considered by many to be valuable contributions to this great forum ....

I also run Toyo Open Country AT2 LT tyres and 100% agree they are a great all round tyre for wear, traction and price. And I totally agree with you that "a good quality AT/LT tyre will do those tracks in its stride."

As far as my experience goes I'm not wanting to enter a p*****g contest but .... ( I will)..... I have lived and worked in FNQ, The Western Gulf Country and Cape York for only 38 years now. I am familiar with both the Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks having traveled widely through Northern, Central and North Western Australia for both leisure and work in that time.....I consider myself an amateur in remote area travel and living by some standards and bow to the superior knowledge of others.

I will admit that I'm very short of knowledge of the Victorian High Country and Tasmania as well as South Western Australia but I do hope that the opportunity presents itself to visit these areas at some stage.

Cheers

Crusader

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Crusader, I'm coming out swinging on Stephen's defence here. He delivered it straight. The truth may be a bit painful but a wrong decision by Gene may be even more-so.

Stephen is not given to offering nambly-pamby responses. He has successfully pushed his vehicles over most of Australia including the very worst tracks, sometime towing. He has never come to serious grief because of his experience and commonsense. If he passes that knowledge on to others without wrapping it in cottonwool, then the recipient is the better for it.

Although you criticise Stephen for not addressing Gene's specific question, I notice that neither did you.
Nor did I completely...... because it did not warrant a specific answer. Who among us can really answer the question "Will it be significant or not too bad?" There is no specific answer unless you have tried the proposal with the same vehicle and the same load and drove it in the same way and with the same expectations.

Perhaps it was a blunt answer to Gene but it was the answer that he really needs.
And even if you did not "want enter a p*****g contest", you started one.

The real answer is, yes it will be too bad. In fact it will be stupid and pointless.
Unless Gene wants a rig that others of like mind will admire. Then go for it mate!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts so eloquently Allan.

We are all entitled to our opinions and how we share them and I respect that.

I didn't respond to Genes questions because I don't have the knowledge to answer it accurately and luckily for him as I said there are plenty of people on this forum who can and did ....

Like Stephen, you have plenty of wisdom and experience and have shared it on this forum too many people's benefit for which they are undoubtedly grateful .

I will standby my view that it is better to educate in a positive and respectful manner.

Best regards
Crusader

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Crusader, I quote you.... "it is better to educate in a positive and respectful manner'.

Permit me to relate an anecdote from a lecture I once attended.........

The lecturer began with "A farmer was having great trouble with a stubborn mule and eventually engaged a professional mule trainer. The mule trainer arrived, peered into the mule's eyes, gave it a couple of firm pokes, then went to his truck and returned with a baseball bat. He hauled off and gave the beast an almighty whack right across the eyes.
"Hey" yelled the farmer, "I hired you to train it, not kill it"........ "I understand that" said the trainer, "but first I must gain its attention".

Clearly Crusader,.... Stephen gained your attention in a "positive manner".... and hopefully Gene's also.

Allan,
Like the donkey in your story, my post clearly got your attention and it would seem from your post , also like the donkey , you didn't enjoy it either ??

Also Allan are we to assume you are inferring Gene is like a stubborn donkey that required a whack across the eyes for asking a simple question ? If so it certainly doesn't encourage members to ask questions or seek advice.

Crusader, your post got my attention because you addressed it to me.
But now I withdraw from your p*****g contest.

As to your second FU....... yes.

Silly old farts at 10 paces - typical of this forum.

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Your'e right Mr Cruiser, or may I call you Ozzie? I should not have got dragged into a p*****g contest.
I should have just left the provocations lie (or is it 'lay'?) where they fell.
Ah well, it is so boring in these Covid days!

Sir will suffice :-)

And this is why so many good people have left the forum, everyone thinks they can pi$$ further than the next guy.

Once upon a time you could spend hours finding out good info here, and now you can visit the site once a fortnight and catch up.

As for the OPs question. I have found that if you up your tyre size diameter to match your speedo, usually 1 size. You can get the best of both worlds.

I choose to use Wrangler Duratrac's on my 200 series, both the wife and I only needed to go up one size on the Colorado and 200 to achieve this. We have done some serious work with these tyres and find they stand up to the tough stuff. And yes I understand that the OP didn't ask for what brand, just offering some advise.

Regards

My thoughts too on towing.

And as for lifts and big tyres thousands of people travel those roads every year with what are essentially stock vehicles and never have a problem.

Safe travels

I had a bt50 (ie ranger) and it could legally carry/tow much more than my new 200 series.
It towed my 3.5t van with ease

Alan

It amazes’ me what travellers think they need & have to do to their vehicles to travel, & I think how would have they Copied/travelled & made it when having a good set of bar treads was a statement (I crossed west to east mid-seventies on Bar treads) In the sixties & seventies Cape York & Crossing the Jardine meant you carried a hand winch, if you were lucky someone had a PTO/capstan, No snorkels, No one had a locker yet we all dove over dunes/beach’s etc. & all on cheese cutters, Power steering meant bigger arm mussels, power brakes meant putting both hands on the underside of the steering wheel & standing up on the brake pedal, getting hot in the cab meant your thongs melted to the floor & this was in my newish 1972 no synchro 3 speed Landcrusier ute & that was such an upgrade to the ex-war 4wd I had before that & most of the tracks/were a lot tougher/remote than they are now & there are a lot more fuel/convenient stores about these days. Most 4wd brands stock standard will get you there & back with a good operator no problems but I will say it is a more comfortable & easier way to travel now with a few nice extras & I certainly glad of the better fuel economy, but it’s make a lot of travellers go further & remoter than they have the capability & has cost a few life’s sadly

Thanks for your reply mate. How do you find towing heavy loads with the 33s.. noticeable loss of power or not?

Definitely no noticeable loss of power as far as I could tell.

The car felt the same to me power wise with standard tyres or 33's even when towing our 2600kg van.

The only real difference as far as I could see is that the speedo in the car is now exactly the same as the gps.

Personally, I just feel more comfortable with a little more clearance under the diffs.

Thanks mate. So do you notice a significant power loss when towing heavy loads on 33s?

Cheers mate. How do you find towing with the 33s. Any significant power loss?