Tyre availability in the bush
Submitted: Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 12:14
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ads_gu
Morning,
As I am planning to do more touring in the bush this year, I am trying to suss out availability in remoteish areas (not talking the simpson here) of particular tyre sizes. As far as I can tell, 285/75/16 seem to be a fairly common size and should not provide too much problem. Considering 305/70/16 have the same rolling diameter, would this size tyre be an issue?? Could I replace a 305 with a 285 on one corner if push came to shove?
Help, as always, is appreciated.
Adam
Reply By: Snowy 3.0iTD - Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 12:43
Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 12:43
Adam
In a 16inch rim 265/75 is by far the most common size, but from my experience in regional SA and WA if you aren't fussy about brand and tread type you can get a 285/75 in most
places, or they can order in what you want within a few days. 305/70 is a less common size. I once put the split rim spare off my trailer with a
Dunlop Road Gripper on to the Patrol 265/75 at the time, the handling was pretty ordinary, but it got me out of trouble.
Snowy
AnswerID:
225401
Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Nullagine) - Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 12:49
Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 12:49
the advantage of a 265x75 is it is also the same diametre as a 235x 85 and a 7.5x16 these are the most common tyre sizes used by locals which may help if the chips are down (or your tyres)
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Follow Up By: ads_gu - Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 13:06
Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 13:06
Hmmm, I have 265/75 at the moment, but they will require an upgrade before too long. I will be getting a couple inch lift shortly so was looking mainly at the 285. What is the benefit of having the 305 as it is the same diameter. Is it just they will bag out a bit more, providing more grip offroad. Obviously price is an issue too.
Maybe it's better to stick with the 265 after all.
Adam
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Snowy 3.0iTD - Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 13:16
Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 13:16
Adam
Not sure exactly what they advantages of the 305 are, possibly being a wider tyre they may float a bit more in sloppy mud, but considering most of Australia is arid desert. The last two sets of tyres I have run on my Patrol have been 285/75, currently Goodyear MTR which I can't speak highly enough of as an all-round offroad tyre that still performs
well on the road. It depends on how remote you are going and what sort of driving you are doing. If you are sticking to decent tracks and gravel roads then a decent set of LT tyres will do you fine in either 265 or 285. If you are planning on following a compass bearing cross-country through mulga scrub, then you had best ask Willem what he runs, cross-plys that are just about bullet proof I think.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: ads_gu - Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 14:59
Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 14:59
Snowy,
Thanks for your replies. Has given me a bit of food for thought.
Adam
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: riles - Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 18:05
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007 at 18:05
Adam,
you should try this new service www.carbonblack.com.au
New on-line tyre sellign website...you can get access to tyres all over australia
Cheers
FollowupID:
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Reply By: stevesub - Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 13:12
Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 13:12
If you want to get out of trouble, anything will do - but only to get you out of trouble. If you have a LSD it may have some grief if you have odd diameter tyres but as I said, to get you a few 100 km and out of trouble, anything that fits will do so long as you are not stupid and drive accordingly ie slow.
We use 750/16 when in remote areas - no problems getting replacements.
SteveS
AnswerID:
225407
Follow Up By: ads_gu - Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 13:14
Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 13:14
SteveS,
Not sure if that is a typo, but what is a 750/16.
Cheers
Adam
FollowupID:
486298
Reply By: stevesub - Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 13:21
Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 13:21
750-16 is the tyre size that is common on heaps of split rims. A 31" tyre that is common as and can be obtained from a variety of suppliers - in fact some such as MFR (I think) Make an almost indestructible tyre. We use the Goodyear ATR Light Truck 750-16's on the Troopy.
Sorry if I was not too clear, I have been in airports and aeroplanes for over 12 hrs now and am in LA Airport waiting for a flight to NZ - another 15 hours to go)
Home on the 12th back in OZ
SteveS
AnswerID:
225410
Follow Up By: ads_gu - Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 14:52
Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 14:52
SteveS,
Sorry mate but I am not too familiar with split rims. I know how you feel re the travel. I spent 5 years flying to the US and Mexico every 5 weeks
Thanks for the reply
FollowupID:
486325
Follow Up By: Member - Shane D (QLD) - Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 20:16
Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 20:16
750/16 = 7.5 inch wide tyres/16 inch wheels
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486406
Reply By: Member - Duncs - Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 13:59
Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 13:59
Adam,
Most of regional or Outback Oz is pretty
well serviced for tyres.
Blinman,
William Creek, Camerons Corner,
Tibooburra,
Coen are all examples of
places I have seen extensive collections of rubber.
I can't speak to the 305 but if you stay close to what vehicle manufacturers use as standard you will have no trouble. The further you get from these sizes the more difficult it will be to get what you want.
305 seems big to me and I would not go that big. If you want to get that big and if you are going really remote, I would carry a couple of spares and some repair gear. Practice using the repair gear before you need to.
Duncs
AnswerID:
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Reply By: V8Diesel - Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 14:26
Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 14:26
305 is the same rolling diameter as 285 so no problems with substitution whatsoever.
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Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 16:14
Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 16:14
and.......unless space is very tight, consider taking a case with you (used even) - not as heavy as a wheel - at least you have what you need when the chips are right down - service centres in the outback can fit it for you (the nice ones, that is :-0)
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 22:25
Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 22:25
285s and 305s are tyres for those who like rockcrawling the high country.
Desert travellers like their 265/75 235/85 and 750R16. You don't need the extra diameter in
the desert, and ripping the sidewall of a $400 tyre does go down badly.
BTW, the "Simpson" is not that remote these days. Go in July and you'll be bothered by the traffic on the French Line :-))
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Julie P (VIC) - Wednesday, Mar 07, 2007 at 18:41
Wednesday, Mar 07, 2007 at 18:41
Look for mining towns - they sometimes have the best range and prices - we got 5 tyres for the price of 4 in
Tom Price couple of years ago - cheaper than buying 4 tyres from local blokes where we live.
jules
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