tyres for split rims

Hi Duncan.

I don't think it is quite that easy, as the saying goes, "different strokes for different blokes"

One thing that I am pleased to see is that you are staying with the skinny rims. On a trip like you propose you will find that they are much easier to repair and easier to find replacements for for should you be unlucky enough to blow all your spares. Also, because they have a smaller footprint you lessen the chance of staking as you have less vulnerable rubber on the ground.

The only thing that I think can be given in advice is to go for a tyre that has the thickest walls as that is where I think most of the tyre problems eventuate.

As for tread patterns, in sand, the least aggressive the better, in mud and rocky terrain go for more aggressive patterns.

I hate to say it but I have found that the best all round tyre, (and there is not such animal) would possibly be an All Terrain, remember, what you buy you will be stuck with after the trip is over.

Dunlop Super Grippers I think fit the bill for what you want, having said that, I would not buy them again, not because they are no good, on the contrary, but they are over priced and when used on the black top for extended periods, they tend to have a very strange wear characteristic. Wheel alignments, balance and tyre pressure changes do not seem to help. The only thing I found was to rotate the tyres very frequently so that I could get the even wear.

I have heard very good reports about the BF Goodrich Mud Terrains and I am considering them for my next set.

Confusing aye?

Regards

why not try a set of 235/85/16 cooper st or at

I reckon the best tyre size for that rim is 238-85-16. They are fairly common too.

I think Coopers has a 8 ply tire not well advertised, could be worth lookin into....

Try Goodyear Wrangler TG in 750R16, 8 ply. Understand they have stopped making 12 ply in this case. We use them on 2 Tojo 79 series utes in sand, blacksoil, ironstone gravel and moderate amounts of bitumen. Got 50K kms out of the first set, but have never achievd that since. maybe G'year knew it was our first! Have deep tread, and fairly straight walls for a radial. It's all your choice. Regards...

Main problem with splits these days is trying to get good tubes for them. The Korean ones don't seem to cut it and you end up with damaged tyres from split seams and heat fatigue. Make sure any stickers are removed from the inside of the tyre.

I'd go for a "ten ply" 235/85 tyre. They have a load rating of 118-120. Look at the Bridgestone "661" and Kellys as well.

My opinion re splits is that I'd steer away from them as I've seen too many go flat from tube fatigue on desert trips. Tubeless tyres run at low pressures (low 20's) seem to do well these days, and a repairing a split rim is still a lot of sweat.

Phil G