Goodyear Wrangler MTR's

Hi Truckster,
Would you mind to tell me how deep is the tread depth on your 33" MTR when you bought new?

IAM, I didnt measure them, but could if you like, they have been to bleep ney and back so far and few 100klms runnin round Mexico.

MTR V BFG MT in 33
MTR Pics

IAMGQ MTRs have 15mm tread depth at new 285/75X16

I did promise the forum an objective comparison of MTRs and BFG MTs KM series after simpson desert run but MTRs did not get out west
However update so far is that MTs have done 33 000ks and still have between 12 and 13 mm left (had 16mm originally) MTRs yet to be measured after 8,000 ks, Both tyres similar in performance and wet weather handling, we think the BFGs slightly better in mud. MTRs have stronger side wall but seem to be easier to roll off the rim at low pressure (see below) (possibly due to the stiffer walls ).

Have experimented a lot with tyre pressures in both sand and mud (very controlled circumstances and close to home) and really tested the limits . Cant beat lower tyre pressure for increasing footprint and hence traction in all tough terrain, but you have to determine your own limits, vehicle weight, and check how the tyre looks.

18PSI fairly safe for most situations (sand Mud) but if really stuck 14-15 psi can make a lot of difference. 10 -12 PSI great for traction but very real risk of tyre roll off.

We tested 2 patrols and tyre pressure on a wet short muddy hill neither could climb with pressures over 15PSI

Managed to roll an MTR off the rim (front driverside GU 4.2td with difflock and didnt make it up the hill)at 12 PSI. While the BFGs at 10 PSI (32X11.50R 15s on GQ petrol - NO difflock) climbed the hill several times very slippery muddy hill with deep washouts, Not a fair comparison (as BFGs were down to 10 psi and looked like theyd climb a wall) and also due to weight difference and extra revs petrol had over diesel but thats - what happened.
Wont bore you with any other details but theres lots more observations if anybody is interested.

kes

Correction just remeasured MTs @32,000 klm they are down to 10.5- 11.5mm and wearing evenly.
kes

Thanks Truckster and Kezza. I hope we haven't just hijacked this posted with slighlty different topic.
Kezza, I would like to hear more about your detail when comparing both tyre. If possible, can we exchange our email? My email is : diulasin@hotmail.com. Hope can hear from you.

Truckster,

Just a question on your follow up below, what are JT2's??? I know what the 'peeds are, but no idea about the other?? Have tried to sell the idea of a second 'offroad' set of tyres to him, but he's friggin lazy, and couldn't be bothered about changing 'em over.

One of the main reasons he is looking at changing tyres, is because even with only 35k's on the BFG AT KO, they are all chewed up!! Plenty of tread left, but bits missing everywhere, and a heap of sidewall cuts. It seems that alot of people think that the KO's are not as good as the old BFG AT's, but what about the MT?? Are they made of a similar compound?? What sorta mileage could you expect out of the BFG MT??

I ask you, mate, cause you appear to be a bit of a guru when it comes to these things.

Cheers mate.
Tristjo.

http://www.geocities.com/armark4wd/simexjt2tire

KO and KMs In MY opinion and from what Ive read and heard on the net are not as good as the older ones.

YMMV.

Truckster at the moment Ive got 2 KMs and 2 old MTs on mine as a few weeks ago I managed to put an 1890s horseshoe (Im not joking) through the side of the tread of a KM while doing the Strezleckie track after some rain. It had resurfaced and was sticking up out of the dried track. Knowing the tracks I was doing that trip I was going to use 2 of the old MTs on the rear to save the KMs from such damage but was too complacant to put the spare wheels on. I do wonder If the old MTs would have punctured at all.
Older ones - Stronger yes but the KMs have their own strengths.
As the tyre people I spoke to in the region said - every tyre can be busted - they see them all - they've given up trying to pick the best brands out there - to them none are immune
kezza

Kezza.

while getting my MTRs fitted, a NEW set of 35 BFG MT KMs turned up, and without a word of a lie, the sidewalls felt not even as hard as plasticiene!! You could push your thumb into them, and it would mould around it.. SOFT IS NOT THE WORD.....

The bloke that had ordered them, was there, and the salesman gave me the eye to move away from them, I think he was scared the bloke wouldnt buy em if he saw how soft they are.

Allyn,

You say that the MTR's are a very soft compound, and wear quickly. Do you have any clue as to how quickly?? My brother is looking at getting a set for his GQ. He mainly runs on sealed or gravel roads (most klms tar) but wants the offroad performance for when he hit's the rough stuff. He is currently running BFG AT KO, but they are chipping a hell of alot, and have alot of sidewall nics and cuts. I think they have around 35k on them, and are prolly half worn. Do you think you could expect 60k out of a set of MTR's if driven carefully when on the blacktop??

I know every case is different, but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Tristjo.

They are REAL soft... I have 33 MTRs on my GQ. They wont get anything like a BFG AT or older MT on the road klms wise...

If he is looking at 70,000 out of his current AT's, hes better to keep them, and get a set of Centipedes/JT2's or something else like that for offroading on second set of ROH rims ($50ea)...

I doubt you will get 70,000 out of MTR's.

am hoping to get 60K from mine and for that reason won't be running my A/T's around town so that I know how well I've done. Looking good so far.
For the record I live in Port Hedland which is literally miles from anywhere so a lot of my K's are unfortunately on bitumen. It just can't be helped!

MTR's are definitely a softer compound which is why they wear so quickly on bitumen. Happened a thousand times on my last BFG's though and as yet not once on Wranglers.

Hardy,
First and only time the temp gauge has ever moved and I was even beginning to think it was stuck. I've driven to Perth on a 48 degree day, air/con flat out, cruiserfully laden, towing a full trailer and temp gauge barely moved off 1/3 which is where it normally sits.
This particular day on the beach it was low 30's with a howling wind and the gauge hit the red. Only thing different was MTR's.
I've heard with changing gears that low first is useless and need to find all info before I go wasting money changing gears. Think it's the probable solution though along with letting tyres down to about 10psi next time.

My brother runs Bridgy MT's and has had a good run from them also. Think he liked the look of my Wranglers though !!!

Hey Chopper. What do you run on Fraser?Talk is cheap ...
Rohan (Sydney)

My Stauns are set on 18psi.

I whack them on, and away we go, ready for anything on the island

I've got Stauns set at 20 psi and 16 psi. Since I'm still running H/T tyres, I reckon they will bag enough at 20, unless it gets really soft. What do you think?Talk is cheap ...
Rohan (Sydney)

I've spent many, many visits to FRaser on road pressure, and to be honest, if its been a bit wet in the days before and i have a light load, i won't deflate until i think i need to, which sometimes means not at all.

I'll be hauling an 1100 kg campertrailer so will probably need to drop all pressures, at least for the exit at Hook Point. Once camped, the rest of the time it'll just be a lightly laden vehicle so will play it as it comes.

Thanks.Talk is cheap ...
Rohan (Sydney)