Tyres for heavy towing

Submitted: Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 09:59
ThreadID: 16640 Views:2890 Replies:6 FollowUps:7
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I drive a Nissan GU Patrol and will be towing a 3000kg off road caravan. I expect to be travelling 30% off road. Probably over corrugations more so than rock hopping. Can anyone suggest a suitable tyre?
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Reply By: Peter McGuckian - Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 10:34

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 10:34
IMHO and from experience I would use BFG All Terrains. Have 275/70x16 on my GU and they are excellent. No punctures on our July Gulf trip towing our camper trailer. A tip though, have the same tyres on the van if you can then you can rotate and use common spares.

Peter
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Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 11:02

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 11:02
3000?

What towball weight is that running ??
AnswerID: 78202

Reply By: flappan - Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 11:06

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 11:06
You wont be rock hopping in a GU with a 3000kg Offroad Van . . .

I run BFG AT's on both my GU and my Trailer , with no problems. Not 3000 kg mind you.

My parents use Kelly AT's on both their GQ and Offroad van (about 1800kg).

I also seem to recall , the Bushtrackers I have seen for sale run BFG AT's.
AnswerID: 78203

Follow Up By: Rosco - Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 11:34

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 11:34
I usually park the van and do side trips.
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Follow Up By: flappan - Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 11:47

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 11:47
Ah yes fair comment.

Back to tyres , I guess it depends on a couple of things.

How often you intend to Rock Hop.
Whether you want the same tyres all round.

Doesn't seem to me to make a huge amount of sense to be running muddies or the like on a Caravan. Serves no real purpose.

Muddies dont wear anywhere near as well as AT's.

I would still think an AT would be a good choice. Handle pretty well offroad (except deep mud) , good onroad. Tough , easy to replace in need.
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Follow Up By: ExplorOz Team - David - Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 18:18

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 18:18
flappan,

I just received a number of email non delivery reports for your email account. Is there a problem - email me direct david@exploroz.com
David (DM) & Michelle (MM)
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Reply By: Patrol22 (Queanbeyan - Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 14:19

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 14:19
Hey Rosco - I just did a google on max towing capacity for the GU and got this from the NRMA site
"Maximum towing limits specified by Nissan are 2800 kg for the manual transmission models and 2500 kg for those fitted with automatic transmission. Legal requirements in NSW however, limit the towing mass to 1980 kg for all models. "

It this really true? If so - then I've exceed it more than once.
Cheers
Pete
AnswerID: 78219

Follow Up By: Rosco - Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 14:31

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 14:31
I believe the max towing capacity for the 4.2l Diesel is 3500kg.
Rosco.
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Follow Up By: flappan - Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 14:46

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 14:46
If you look at the specs for the new GU's from Nissan's website

The 4.2 , and 4.8 can tow up to 3500kg auto or manual.

The 3.0 TD manual , up to 3200 kg , and the 3.0 TD auto(ST) 2500kg

Of course that is current vehicles . . .
not sure on previous Models
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Follow Up By: Patrol22 (Queanbeyan - Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 17:39

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 17:39
OK but what about the legal requirement in NSW, does this hold true or not?
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 18:14

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 18:14
The latest specs have been upgraded from 2500 to 3500 for the 4.2 TD GU
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Reply By: Rosco - Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 14:26

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 14:26
Thanks for your reply. At the moment I am leanint toward BFG A/Ts.
AnswerID: 78221

Reply By: Member - Roger L (NSW) - Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 15:50

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 at 15:50
The towing capacity as stated by Flappan is correct however the tow ball weights should be watched have a look on the small rear door near childproof latch the ball weights etc are usually on a compliance sticker at this spot.
I run BFG at's on my GU towing an off road van and provided you adjust tyre pressures accordingly everything should be OK. I have done 60k with my van over various types of road and track surfaces and only had 2 punctures. Both on the Patrol one in a van park at Tom Price and the other at the laudromat in Dirranbandai.
I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

Cheers Dodg.

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