How will these tyres go on a trip to Cape York

Hi Geoff, I run Kellys on my 2007 V8 troopie. Made in the USA and come with a milage guarentee of 90,000kls. Very pleased with them. My second set. As far as the Silverstones go they are not at the premium end of the tyre market so I would take two spares. I retail tyres so know a bit about tyre quality. Hope this helps.

Jethro - I've a friend who runs these Malaysian copies of the BFG A/T and they seem to do the job quite nicely. Haven't seen them in operation on the Cape but they handle the loose rocky climbs of the Victorian High Country and the track in the Brindabella Ranges around Canberra with ease. From my experience on Cape York (done the trip 4 times now) I reckon they will handle the conditions easily.....and from memory they are around 1/3 the price of the equivalent size BFG A/T. Can't comment on the wear rate.

Jethro

I'd take two spares anyway. The corrugations etc can cause damage regardless of how good your tyres are.

We took 1 spare complete and a spare tyre/tube to save weight and space. Used them both too!

If you only have one take a Tyre repair kit to keep you going if two do go on you. Murphy's law can be unexpected.

Paul

On my Cape trip, some years ago now, I used some tyres that were a bit over half worn and it was a mistake.

If I were to do it again I would buy new tyres to do the trip. I did not travel at exessive speeds and did not overload the vehicle but I managed 10 punctures in 8 weeks. They guy who travelled with me in a much more heavily laden car had none. I was the lead vehicle all the time.

As I say mine were all punctures, no blow outs and no sidewall damage. Most nights when camped in the bush I spent the evening repairing tyres. I also bought two of the most expensive 2nd hand tyres ever. We picked up all kinds of things in the tyres including a horse shoe nail and a piece of bone in about 400m. We were very early in the season which may explain some of my problems but almost all would have been prevented with more tread depth.

When are you planning to do the trip? If the tyres are half worn now they will be well down by May/June when the season is on, I would plan to buy new rubber before the trip. And I reckon 1 spare, a repair kit, a tube and the tools and skills necessary to fit it.

As to what you fit for the trip, well everyone has a favourite tyre and everyone has an opinion. For me I would fit something from the premium end of the market and probably something more agressive than an AT. I won't recommend a brand, like I say eveyone has an opinion.

Duncs