Tyres......again and again and again take 2

Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 23:17
ThreadID: 77723 Views:4028 Replies:6 FollowUps:5
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Following my request for input on my tyre selection to replace my Cooper ST's (thread 76731 of the 9th of Mar) I have purchased a set of Goodyear Wrangler ATR's made in the USA. I have done probably around 3k's to date, mostly on bitumen but have just returned from a short 3 day jaunt to the South of WA in and on farm land (not by any means extreme off road. We have worse sealed roads in the city). This is early days, however these tyres are a joy to travel with. They are extremely quiet on sealed roads(you may recollect I wear hearing aids) and very useful in the paddocks of the wheat belt.Significantly and interestingly it appears that my fuel consumption may be impacted. Pre new tyres (ie Cooper st's)
I consistantly achieved 800klms from the two tanks on my patrol (120 lt). It looks like I may now be achieving 100klms more on the Goodyear. This is yet to be fully tested but will let you know. We are off through Rudall and up through the Kimberly's starting 1 June so should have more definate views on our return mid July.

Regards to all and thanks for all of the views received in my original thread

Quentin
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Reply By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 07:09

Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 07:09
That is good news. I think a 13% fuel saving while good news, is possibly a normal variation. It would be good to hear your long term conclusions.
AnswerID: 412965

Reply By: Cruiser 2091 - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 07:19

Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 07:19
Hi Quentin.
It's difficult choosing tyres because we don't know the result of that choice for quite a long time after our purchase. Particularly when it comes to tyre wear which can take years before we know the answer.
I have used several sets of BF Goodrich AT's over the years and have been very satisfied with them. The BF Goodrich tyres last me for 100,000 ks but as new ones were going to cost me $310 each I decided to try Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S which were only $260 each.
Both brands of tyres are very similar, biased towards road use, similar speed and load rating however the BF G's are 10 ply compared to the Yokohama at 8 ply.
My feeling is that tyre technology would be similar amongst the major players, a bit like comparing holden against falcon. Hence my decision to go for the better price while still using a reputable brand. Like you I am happy so far but only time will tell.
Best regards Cruiser
AnswerID: 412966

Reply By: mangey33 - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 07:42

Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 07:42
I think you should be happy with the Wranglers Quentin . I have just clocked up 100 000kms on my first set and have maybe got another 10 000 in the rears left and I travel 60 000 kms a year with a heavy load for work so I have been super impressed with them .I hope you have the same success with yours!!!
AnswerID: 412968

Reply By: Mick O - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 08:22

Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 08:22
Quentin,

Will follow your report with interest. I’ve come off the ST’s to the extreme and pick up the Toyo Open Country MT’s for the ute this weekend. I’ve mounted them on steelies and will keep the standard Toyota tyres and alloy rims for round the town use. I too will be testing them out through Rudall and the Kimberley. Should be in Rudall mid June for two weeks so if you’re about, drop in for a cuppa. Shouldn’t miss us and the quads.

Mick
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trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
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AnswerID: 412974

Reply By: Camoco - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 10:19

Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 10:19
In my experience, my '02 Frontera came with Goodyear Wranglers as OEM.

Given that they were factory fitted and not store purchased (I am convinced there is a difference) and the fact that my car was built in California, I am willing to forgive Goodyear for my strong bias against them.

My experience with them were flawed from the start. I only got 50,000 km before a serious scare caused me to remove them. They looked as worn as they felt, had as much grip and responsiveness as jelly and were lethal in the rain throughout most of their life.

I replaced them with a reputable french brand and the difference was staggering. These are also due for replacement at only 75,000 km even though they look like they could possibly make 90,000. They are now a bit iffy in the wet weather (only when we travel) and am looking at Bridgestone as the replacements after using them on a number of other cars and 4wd's.

As I said the ones originally fitted to mine may be solely because they were factory spec cheapies from USA, but I just cannot trust them again enough to recommend them (although I am sure the locals are a better tyre, but I don't know where any are actually made)

I am interested in your experience long term with them however.
AnswerID: 412988

Reply By: Fatso - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 11:26

Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 11:26
I don't know how you blokes can get 75,000 out of a set of tyres let alone getting 100,000 out of them.
I wonder if it is a bit journalistic license.
I have never been close to 75,000 & never had someone say to my face that they get anything like that.
I have had BFG ATs, Wranglers, Road Grippers & a few others over the years.
Does anybody else out there find 100,000 out of tyres a bit more than they get?
I do live in NQ & we don't often get cool roads surfaces. I don't know what other environmental effects would reduce tyre life except the terrain surface its self.
My last set of BFGs did about 55,000.
AnswerID: 412998

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 12:44

Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 12:44
My BFG A/t's have done 50,000 mostly towing a 2800kg van and still have 5mm - 6mm on them


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FollowupID: 683034

Follow Up By: Bazooka - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 12:59

Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 12:59
I'm sure it happens occasionally but short of a whole lot of luck or running past the legal threshold I'm blowed if I know Fatso. My best was from a very well looked after set of Desert Duellers on an MQ Patrol, which wore reasonably quickly at first but then stretched their legs and got to 70K (~80% blacktop). The last 10K were borderline legal even though there was good tread left (which is irrelevant if you get pulled over).

Some of the mileage reports from USA (Tirerack) are incredible, possibly a reflection of better rubber, cement roads?, more rain?
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FollowupID: 683037

Follow Up By: lollylegs - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 14:10

Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 14:10
Ditto here,
My bfg at's have just hit 60,000 and have about 10,000 in them. Have always rotated them etc. and they have worn even. I wouldn't do any outback trips on them.
I suppose it's what you do with them. When we travel which is often there are 4 of us in a fully loaded car.
Probably the 80,000 plus folks are travelling lighter.
The previous yokahama and bridgestone 694's only got 45,000 each.
Dean
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FollowupID: 683043

Follow Up By: Off-track - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 16:30

Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 16:30
A couple of sets of BFG AT's on LC's with over 100k on them...mostly in NQ and NT and some WA.

40-42psi is the key for me.
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FollowupID: 683054

Follow Up By: Crackles - Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 17:06

Thursday, Apr 15, 2010 at 17:06
"I don't know how you blokes can get 75,000 out of a set"
They overinflate them, drive very conservative & run them until they are bald. Then there are a few that simply bend the truth. 125,000km's out of a set of Coopers was the record I've heard ;-)
Once mine have hit 40,000 km (although road legal) normally have insufficient depth for reliable outback travel nor tread for offroad traction.
Cheers Craig............
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FollowupID: 683063

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