Toyo Competition tyres
Submitted: Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 19:47
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Keith_A (Qld)
About to replace the Coppers on the GU.
Local tyre place handed me a booklet from Toyo and pointed to their 'Open Country M/T'.
Booklet states - suitable for 'competition
rock climbing and competition 4WD racing'.
'Tread blocks extend to tyre shoulder/upper sidewall', so is less prone to slicing sidewall, plus better grip when deflated. Rated up to 160 klm/hr.
So - has anyone run these? Do they live up to the promo?
Taking off for Tanami and GRR in July so wanting a tyre that minimizes side wall damage at low pressure. Quoted $350 !!!! ouch...............................Keith.
Reply By: Kiwi Kia - Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 20:02
Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 20:02
Nothing special about the Tanamai and GRR as far as tyres are concerned. Take it easy and save the money.
AnswerID:
224639
Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 22:40
Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 at 22:40
>> Do they live up to the promo....
I havent heard on any forums of comp dudes running them for
rock crawling..
I would think there are better tires than that for $350 - but what size was that? 315's? if so, would be about normal for a good tire.
AnswerID:
224681
Follow Up By: Keith_A (Qld) - Thursday, Mar 01, 2007 at 08:29
Thursday, Mar 01, 2007 at 08:29
Just standard GU's Truckster - 265/75R16.
Had a good run out of the Coopers (other than blocks chipping). Would prefer a more aggressive tread for the mud/sand. Maybe the STT is an option.
Nice
Pic....................Keith.
FollowupID:
485659
Reply By: David from David and Justine Olsen's 4WD Tag-Along - Thursday, Mar 01, 2007 at 04:10
Thursday, Mar 01, 2007 at 04:10
Sidewall damage is pretty much a red herring in that sort of terrain. 99 percent of tyres destroyed in outback travel, suffer tread punctures. These tread punctures eventually lead to failure of the tyre and destruction of the sidewall. To the untrained eye, the tread area damage may not be visible and hence sidewall punctures get the blame.
A tyre at suitable pressure that allows some flex over the stones- typically around the 28 psi mark- and a travel speed reduced by 20% will ensure tyre damage is kept to a minimum. Sidewall damage can occur if travel speeds and therefore impacts exceed the ability of the sidewall to absorb impact. The sidewall is not exposed a great deal more to rocks, and it is made more flexible by the lower pressure anyway and as such flexes just as the tread does when pressure is appropriate.
I have the OPAT LT which is an all terain light truck version of the Toyo OPAT in 265/75/16. I find these tyres very suitable for the terrain you are wishing to travel.
AnswerID:
224700
Follow Up By: Keith_A (Qld) - Thursday, Mar 01, 2007 at 08:57
Thursday, Mar 01, 2007 at 08:57
Thanks for the
feedback David. Most of the articles I have read suggest the side wall is the weak link, but perhaps it is easier to blame the side wall than recognise speed/pressure as the primary cause - as you say, a bit slower and the wall could flex correctly.
I would have thought flint/shale could cut the sidewall even at low speeds - hence my original question. (We come back by the
Plenty Highway after the GRR and some offroad in the Tanami - hence the current post ).
May have to re-consider the options perhaps?
As a brand, Toyo do not seem to have a high profile in 4WD/offroad articles. Does Cooper/BFG/Bridgestone etc just throw more money at advertising etc or have I been away from civilization too often? .........Thanks.....Keith.
nb - Until I had to look at blowing over $1k on them, the tyre reads were just more of the same thing (yawn). Opening your own wallet changes the perspective. I am now reading every one I can find.
FollowupID:
485665
Reply By: whyallacookie - Thursday, Mar 01, 2007 at 11:23
Thursday, Mar 01, 2007 at 11:23
Have run Bridgestone Duelers (Not the new AT's) BFG AT's and Cooper AT's & ST's
Have been happy with all of them. The ST's have copped a bit of tread damage, possibly a bit more than the BFG's did but they were on a lighter vehicle and not used as hard.
Copped a couple of punctures with the Bridgestones in the sidewall on sandy tracks (running around 20psi)
Next set will probably be either Coopers or BFG again but will depend on what the best deal I can get is.
We mostly do rocky/shale driving and sand with lots of highway thrown in
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Keith_A (Qld) - Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 09:57
Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 09:57
Thanks Why - Most of the good brands are probably close in quality, and a roo bone doesn't give a damn what the side wall is.
Talked to another tyre outlet today. Owner has done 4wd rally driving. Said the Cooper STT had 3rd belt in the sidewall and this belt crosses the other 2 at a diagonal = side wall resists tearing. He also suggests tyre pressure as the main problem. Lower pressure saves the tyre, but you need to keep checking while driving, until the heat/pressure reaches equilibrium.
Had a good run on the old Cooper ST, we will probably go the STT......Keith
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Follow Up By: whyallacookie - Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 10:01
Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 10:01
Sorry had forgotten about 1
puncture in the Coopers (a steal spike in the sidewall)
But doubt any of the normal tyres we all use would have resisted that!
Been happy with both sets of Coopers (AT & ST)
Happy shopping!
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