Reply back from Michelin
Submitted: Monday, May 16, 2011 at 13:53
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Kimba10
Got a reply email back today I sent Michelin Tyres in regards to why they dont make a 265/65/17 to suit 17 inch rims on 4wd's. They only do a 70 profile which puts us out of the legal limit of 15mm increase in rolling diameter. 70 profile increases the rolling diameter by 28mm 13mm more then allowed. This is the reply below......................
Steve
Unfortunately there is no easy solution at present for this problem.
As you have stated we currently do not offer a BF Goodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM2 in LT265/65R17 and at this stage are not looking to do so.
The one bit of good news is that currently under consideration by all state road authorities is the National Code of Practice (NCOP) for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification.
If the NCOP is adopted it will allow 4WD drive vehicles designed for off road use to increase the overall diameter by 50mm, which would allow the size change to LT265/70R17 on your vehicle.
It should also be noted that the BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO is very capable off road and shouldn't be dismissed as a possible alternative.
This should help a few people out with 4wd's that are running 17 inch rims. He said its only VIC and NSW that have this rule so will bring it in line with other states. He said they are hoping to have it passed some time this year......
Regards Steve M
Reply By: muffin man - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 13:57
Monday, May 16, 2011 at 13:57
Not a problem for 17 inch rims only, the same for all sizes.
That bloke hasn't got a clue as the same rule applies in SA.
Muffin Man
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Follow Up By: Kimba10 - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 14:31
Monday, May 16, 2011 at 14:31
Hi there Muffinman, mate wouldnt have a clue in regards to other states, but hopefully they will bring it in and make it legal to run the higher profile and I presume that would probably be the majority of us wanting to run the muddies. Regards Steve
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Follow Up By: chisel - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 15:09
Monday, May 16, 2011 at 15:09
The 15mm increase rule applies for QLD as
well.
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Follow Up By: Kimba10 - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 15:31
Monday, May 16, 2011 at 15:31
LOL
well there you go, maybe its going to help out more then the two states he indicated, either way I hope it gets passed through. Regards Steve
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Follow Up By: Lex M (Brisbane) - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 16:53
Monday, May 16, 2011 at 16:53
Don't hold your breath. They been talking about the NCOP for at least four years that I know of.
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Follow Up By: Notso - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 17:34
Monday, May 16, 2011 at 17:34
I hear the QLD plans to adopt the NCOP soon. NSW may do it now that we have a new govt in power, perhaps it is something the 4WD lobby groups should be targeting.
I do hear that some states are more liberal than the NCOP so that may aggravate some of them.
Ah
well, you can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time EH.
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Reply By: olcoolone - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 17:27
Monday, May 16, 2011 at 17:27
Steve I see your very safety concious but I think your being a little to pedantic re tyre sizes being 13mm over.
What can I say....
There are a lot of things in life we do that are bordering on illegal to some degree but it doesn't make us law breakers as such.
You will find most and I will say MOST 4x4's that are used for touring or off road use are illegal in some form or other.....
UHF radio mounting locations, aftermarket roof consols,
driving lights no fitted to the law,
suspension lifts and over GVM loading to name some.
End of the day I don't think a law enforcer would defect you or an insurance company refuse a claim for tyres being a little to big!
What you have said in your post was discussed on here in depth a while ago and is old news.
Every 200 series Landcruiser with mud tyres on are illegal as per the law and there are heaps of them getting around.... you have no choice unless you go smaller in width and with a lower weight carrying capabilities.
Why are you so concerned?
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Follow Up By: Kimba10 - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 19:49
Monday, May 16, 2011 at 19:49
Hi there olcoolone, was probably the RTA that put the wind up me a bit in regards to if I hit some one and killed them I would be up sh#t creek as my vehicle would be classed as ilegal. I have ran oversized before on both previous prados but didnt even know the law about the 15mm at the time. Was only that I read about it on another
forum that I thought I should
check it all out first. The bloke from Michelin told me today the coppers have been jumping on the
young blokes running ""low lux's"" as there called with their big 18/20 inch wheels. Must say I didnt know overhead roof consoles were ilegal. Regards Steve
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Follow Up By: olcoolone - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 21:15
Monday, May 16, 2011 at 21:15
If by going a little bigger in tyre size is the difference of being the cause of an accident and not I would like to know how they come to there reasoning and where did they get their data to back the claim.
Sure if you went from 800mm OD tyres to say 900mm OD tyres then yes it does interfere with the handling and stopping of the vehicle and they may have a valid point.... but not 13mm nor probably 50mm either.
The upside of MT tyres is they have a less flexing side wall but the down side is they have more tread movement compared to AT tyres.
Most who can be judge and jury will always tell you how bad something is and you shouldn't be doing it and it would be morally wrong for then to say different.
Overhead roof consols don't meet ADR's regarding your head hitting them same as UHF radios mounted under dashboards.
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Follow Up By: Shaker - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 09:31
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 09:31
olcoolone, would you be prepared to indemnify him against future litigation?
Personally, as an insurance agent, I think he is being very prudent in keeping his vehicle legal.
Remember, it is the obligation of the insured to keep their vehicle roadworthy & registered at all times, even on bush tracks.
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 18:58
Monday, May 16, 2011 at 18:58
This
forum seems to be heavily loaded with people who worry about the soon to be defunct "15mm rule". I agree with Olcoolone - I think you are making a mountain out of a molehill.
The 15mm rule is ridiculous which is why
#1 it has been dropped from the national standards - it always takes time for this to flow through to the states
#2 it is ignored by police and insurance companies - who would rather look at the real issues affecting safety
#3 at the moment it applies to any vehicle from a Mini 850 to an F-truck whic is stupid.
#4 it is ignored by the majority of 4wders who are happy to go up a profile size or two if it means getting safer tyres for what they do.
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Follow Up By: Member - nick b - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 19:37
Monday, May 16, 2011 at 19:37
Well said Phil , How many of us speed , cross double line ,tail
gate etc
larger tyres can make a big improvement to some vehicles handling
cheers nick
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 19:46
Monday, May 16, 2011 at 19:46
.....but I'm not condoning speeding, crossing double lines or tailgating - they are rules that keep us alive.
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Follow Up By: Kimba10 - Monday, May 16, 2011 at 20:04
Monday, May 16, 2011 at 20:04
""mountain out of a molehill"" possibly,
""#4 it is ignored by the majority of 4wders who are happy to go up a profile size or two if it means getting safer tyres for what they do. ""
I dont give a rats what other people do in regards to modifications to their own vehicles I like to keep it legal. Im not a goody two shoes by any means but the RTA did put the wind up me a bit as per reply above.
Nick, pretty stupid comment in regards to speeding etc, has nothing to do as to wether a vehicle is legal or not. While I agree with you in regards to other tyres can make a big improvement to some vehicles handling same as
suspension also can improve handling dramatically, its wether its legal or not that makes the difference, plenty of my mates
run 3 inch lifts in the cruisers, patrols etc and have been done by the pro's it still doesnt make them legal unless engineered which none of them have. If they get cought or some thing happens their problem is not mine. Regards steve
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Reply By: SimonW - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 09:20
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 09:20
Hi Steve,
I have a 120series Prado & I also wanted to stay within the current "legal" limits due to it being a lease vehicle etc, regardless of what other advise. I ended up fitting 275x65x17 these are a little taller & wider but legal, I'm on my second set currently (BFG AT's).
The only change will be to the rear door carrier for the spare add a 10mm spacer.
cheers Simon.
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