Light Truck Tyres.

I have a TD 120 series and put Cooper A/T's on it the day after I got it so I cannot really compare the ride quality as the Grandtreks did only about 7 kms to the tyre shop. Still had the little spikes on!

The A/T's were a passenger construction and seemed to ride good - no problems. I then moved to the Cooper ATR which is a 10 ply LT construction (265/70R17) and the ride is still really good as the Prado is a pretty smooth car anyway. The ATR is a totally new pattern to the A/T and they were much quieter and ride seemed about the same as the A/T

I am shortly going to move to Goodyear MTRs which will be a bit more aggresive and will be seeing how they go for ride quality.

Can't comment on fuel consumption.

Cheers
Muddy

Dave

Going from a passenger construction type tyre to a LT style tyre there will be a slight decrease in ride comfort due to stiffer sidewalls in the LT, but you probably won't notice it. As for fuel consumption going from a passenger tyre to LT tyre there may be a slight increase in fuel consumptions but doubtful you would notice it. If you go up a size there will be a slight increase in fuel consumption but don't forget to compensate for the difference in odometer readings. One thing that will give you a decent increase in fuel consumption is more aggressive tread patterns. At my first tyre change I went from 265/70R16 (passenger tyre) Bridgestone AT D693 to a LT285/75R16 Bridgestone AT D694 fuel consumption went up by around 0.5 L/100km. I recently went to LT285/75R16 Goodyear MTR, love the tyres but the extra 1 - 1.5 L/100km is the downside.

Regards

Snowy

Goodyear Wrangler AP (semi A/T passenger) to Cooper ATR in LT (10 ply rating), no difference in economy, slightly harsher ride because they generally have slightly higher inflation recommendations. ATRs were quiter than OEM tyres! On a 99 Jackaroo TD.

D-Jack

The suite of Cooper tyres (that's right the correct aussie spelling is tyres not tires) come in both passenger and LT. I also discovered that some LT are actually cheaper trhan the passenger version.

After a discussion with Cooper distributor (Exclusive Tyres) in Brisbane, I will be replacing the AT passenger with HT light truck. This is due to the weight placed on the rears towing a caravan, etc and the stronger centre belt.

They can give you all the info, including price on 1800 681 298.

If you are not changing the tyre size as well, then increase would be around 0.5l per 100 km... Again depends on the "Brand" of the tyre as some AT tyres
got tread close to MT tyres ans some got tread pattern more like HT tyres...

Thanks to all for the responses. This was fairly much what i expected, a slight increase in fuel consumption and a small difference if any in comfort/ride.

I am getting rid of the standard Grandtreks 265/65R17 and now that i have checked it out, the prices of most passenger construction tyres are not much cheaper than a Light Truck construction. The L/T tyres only come out in the 265/70R17. I am thinking that i may as well pay the extra and go to a 265/70R17 LT and at least then i will have a supposedly better tyre. I will stick to an A/T tyre and just have to put up with the difference in speedo readings.
I don't know if these R17 sizes are expensive everywhere but they certainly are here in Cairns. Have a look at these costs per tyre. All are A/T.

LIGHT TRUCK CONSTRUCTION

BF GOODRICH 265/70R17 LT $275
GOODYEAR WRANGLER SILENT ARMOR 265/70R17 LT $319
JETZON TRAILCUTTER 265/70R17 LT $235
COOPER ATR 265/70R17 LT $335

PASSENGER CONSTRUCTION

COOPER ATR 265/65R17 $299
BRIDGESTONE DUELER D694 265/65R17 $300 not available in LT
GT RADIAL SAVERO AT PLUS 265.65R17 $280 not available in LT

Cheers
Dave