Tyres gain

I note the load rating on the tyres on our Troopy is 116, What does that mean??

Load Index is a number that tells you the load carrying capacity of a tyre.
116 means you can carry up to 1250kg per tyre at max pressure.
122 means you can carry up to 1500kgs per tyre.

Generally speaking, the higher the number, the stronger the tyre.
The number must be equal to or greater than the number quoted on your tyre placard, which would be 112 for your troopie.

In the very old days, the tyre strength was gauged by the number of cotton plies they were made from. Then they started making tyre out of other materials, so they changed to "ply rating" so an 8 ply tyre was like a tyre that had 8 cotton plies in the past. Now its been standardised by using the Load Index System, which I think is universal on car and 4wd tyres - tells you how much weight a tyre can carry irrespective of how it is constructed.

Thanks for that info Phil.
All these numbers and specs these days does get confusing. I was looking at another post about oil specs. Looks to be even a bit more confusing than tyres. (So oils ain't oils??). I've been using Valvoline SuperDiesel 15w-40. $35/10l $60/20l.
So with my 116 rated tyres I should be OK for a GVM of 5 tonne.!!

Sheesh, first tyres, now oils - you'll get a reputation as a stirrer :-)))
Thats a brilliant price for the Valvoline Superdiesel.
I pay $70 for 20 litres of the same spec Gulf Western Oil. I'm with you - all this oil talk is garbage. Just use the spec that the manufacturer recommends, change it as recommended and your diesel will outlive you.

I have also been thinking of going back to the good old the BFG for my Patrol. I have been very happy with Cooper ST on my old Terrano but have heard bad things about them on bigger heavier vehicles (like Willem's) ripping off blocks of tread.

I just bought a new Patrol, but Nissan have gone and put 17" alloys on them, they look nice but there is an even more limited choice of tires to suit and they cost heaps more. If I wanted a sports car with low profile tires I would have got a 350Z.

Have other Patrol GU series 4 and 100 series Cruiser GXL owners come up with a good tire for 17 x 8" wheels. I am now thinking of getting a set of steel 16" rims with good tires for bush travel (no not split rims and skinnies).

G

Geordie,
Theres some solid 17 inch tyres out there now, but you have to upsize slightly to 265/70R17. Try Goodyear MTR, Goodyear Silent Armour, or BFG ATKO in those sizes. I have known people with the Coopers and Toyo in those sizes and the thin sidewalls let them down.

cheers
phil

Cheers Phil,
The new Patrol GU series 4 now has 275/65s on 17 x 8" rims a bit too low profile for my liking but better than the 18" rims on a new Discovery.

Could not kill the Cooper ST 31/10.5 15s on my lighter weight Terrano but not so sure for the Patrol with a few more kilos of fat around the middle.

Yes I might have a look at what is available in the 265, 275 and even 285 sizes in the Goodyear MTR, Silent Armour, and BFG.

Geordie