Best tyres to run in the Kimberley
Submitted: Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 at 20:13
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Rams1nat
Gday troops, am planning a trip to the
Kimberley in May/June this year and was very interested in what people thought of the best tyre choice for the trip? I normally run a set of Bridgestone AT's but have since got a set of mickey Thompsons Baja Claws (radials) but thought that these may get a lot of punches (don't want that) due to the open tread pattern?
Any ideas/ advice in this area guys would be of a huge help. Also did not know if the full on muddies were needed on in this area during that time of the year.
Cheers Rams
Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 at 20:41
Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 at 20:41
I have been up there this year on a few tracks and have BFG AT's
Havent had a punch or a
puncture in 44,000k
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400374
Reply By: Inland Sailor - Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 at 20:53
Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 at 20:53
I think the best way to prevent tyres puncturing is to have new ones. Plenty of tread depth withstands most punctures. Generally, brand is not as important as tread. However any tyre, new or old can have the sidewall ripped out or staked. The other factor is tyre pressure. I subscribe to the lower pressure for rough roads theory!!!!
Safe trip and I'll see you on the Gibb to see how you go, as I'll be there in June myself.
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Follow Up By: Haza - Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 at 21:10
Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 at 21:10
I agree the best thing is to have newish tyres, Mud terrains ain't the best the gravel and slate
rock chips them up especially on the
Kununurra side. I ran all terrains on the front and muds on the back when I completed it 2 years ago.
Just make sure you get a LT tyre.
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Follow Up By: Outbacktourer - Thursday, Jan 21, 2010 at 08:31
Thursday, Jan 21, 2010 at 08:31
My experience accords with these guys.
OBT
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Follow Up By: Blaze (Berri) - Friday, Jan 22, 2010 at 01:52
Friday, Jan 22, 2010 at 01:52
I agree also with these guys,
I will add (touch wood) after 80thous k's on Wrangler MTR's no punctures suffered, they seem awesome, 2 mates with same brand are finding the same..
Cheers
FollowupID:
669709
Reply By: Notso - Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 at 21:03
Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 at 21:03
A light truck specification will generally have a tougher casing and stronger sidewalls.
I did the
Gibb River rd on a set of Bridgestone Dueller AT Light Truck tyres that had already done 70,000ks and then spent 6 months there over the wet season on the same set.
Never had a single
puncture in the 90,000 k life of the tyres.
AnswerID:
400378
Reply By: The Boss (Formerly Kroozer) - Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 at 21:15
Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 at 21:15
Lived up here my entire life mate, and what was said about correct pressures, newer tyres and the ability of any tyre to get punctured is all true.
The best tyres to have are the A/Ts, and make sure they are L/Ts.
Personally ,myself, and all my mates run Bridgestone Duellers, the 693LT is the prefered variety, but i have also run the 694s. Just try and get the aussie made ones before they run out.
We have experimented with all everything from Wrangler M/Ts to Dunlops, Coopers, BF Goodrich, Pirelli, all sorts. The Bridgestones last the longest up here for what we do, and out of about 6 vehicles, over 4 years, only 3 flats. One nail, one sidewall stake, and one carelessly looked after(overpressure severly).
None of us will be changing in a hurry.
Cheers
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member -Tukka (WA) - Thursday, Jan 21, 2010 at 09:29
Thursday, Jan 21, 2010 at 09:29
I'll second that Boss. Cant go wrong with the Bridgestone 693LT Duellers
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669576
Reply By: Mick O - Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 at 22:45
Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 at 22:45
I'd think you'd be pretty right on just about any good quality A/T, mid range or M/T tyre these days. The Gibb is in a lot better condition than it used to be and while the
Mitchell and Kalumbaru Tracks can be tricky, they are not particularly harsh on tyres if precautions are taken. Stones remain the biggest problem so pressures and speed will be your concerns and vigilance your priority. May see you up there.
Cheers Mick
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Reply By: Member - Mal and Di (SA) - Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 at 23:19
Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 at 23:19
Best tyres to run in the
Kimberley?
Slow ones!
M.
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Follow Up By: Bob of KAOS - Thursday, Jan 21, 2010 at 11:35
Thursday, Jan 21, 2010 at 11:35
I agree.
Keep speed down and you'll be OK on any AT tyre.
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669592
Follow Up By: Blaze (Berri) - Friday, Jan 22, 2010 at 01:55
Friday, Jan 22, 2010 at 01:55
Now that is a great and unfortunately
well needed answer,
Some tyres up there dont touch the ground, guess thats their way of stopping punctures...It doesnt work...LOL
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669710
Reply By: Rams1nat - Thursday, Jan 21, 2010 at 12:48
Thursday, Jan 21, 2010 at 12:48
Thanks guys as always the
forum is the best source of info. Will use the Bridgestones AT (LT) that I am running now and leave the Mickeys to play with on weekends. Will be in a group of about six patrols all from Lismore NSW and always keen to have a beer with any of you that might be up there at the time. cheers and thanks again, Rams
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