Bad run with Mickey Thompson Tyres (FCIIs)

I'm currently on a set of FC11's and I won't be buying them again cause they are too noisy.

I've a BFG de-laminate so it can happen to any tyre.

In regards to your tyre pressure, it may have been low. Did you check the pressure when cold and then recheck after an 1 hour of running. If any more then 4psi then you need to adjust.

Aren't Mickey Thompson made by Coopers? If so ... enough said!

Geoff,

The Pilbara and Kimberley are notorious area on tyres but I’m surprised to hear of your issues. I ran the FCII’s on the Patrol on two extended desert trips. The vehicle was very heavily laden and I was running at low pressures for much of the trip (but not at high speeds). I was impressed with the tyre overall but disappointed about sidewall strength when in off road situations.


The tyre you have the photo of seems to have a fairly worn tread pattern. How many km were on it? I’d be interested to know what sort of pressures you were running at the time. Was the vehicle well loaded (heavy)? 38psi hot, if a loaded vehicle may mean about 29-31 cold which is certainly to low for bitumen IMHO. Was the offending tyre on the rear?

One thing I did notice with the FC’s were that they are a very square edged tyre. Like the Cooper they don’t have a rounded shoulder. I have lost tread blocks from Coopers before on Kimberley roads. Is it possible that damage may have been done on the dirt roads that led to a delamination event on the bitumen? A good sideways gash through the upper edge of the tyre casing either inside or outside may lead to that (I’m no expert though).

Having destroyed most types of tyres on my travels, I’ve mainly done so through sidewall damage from stakes or striking hidden obstacles like rocks. Never had a delamination. I’d say it wasn’t a very nice experience at 100 kph.

If you were looking for a muddie, have a look at the Toyo Open Country MT.

Sorry to hear of your misfortune.

Mick

Good morning,any plugs or patches ? Barry

I think its fair to say, there are horror stories surrounding all brands of tire and these days its all much of a muchness.

There are so so so many variables that impact tire wear again i really dont think any one tire is that much better then another provided they are well maintained.

With that i think pressures (and well driving style) are the key to tire life, and a delaminated tire like above... I too would have guess that it was cooked - driven to quickly at low pressure.

Perhaps not on 'this' trip but some other time in its life... or if it has suffered a previous flat, what happened back then - did it slowly go down meaning you could have unknowingly driven it while it was low on pressure causing internal damage etc?

FWIW, I think BFG's are the best :)

Current MT KM2's have done over 50,000km with around 50-60% left on all corners. Have done 15,000km Kimberley trip, 5000km Strz trip and easily 20-30 trips in the highcountry on them so far. No punctures, no chips or cuts...

I believe they have lasted because i drive 'like a girl' and always monitor pressures and alter to suit. Generally speaking, 44PSI cold on the blacktop, 28PSI in gravel / dirt, 22PSI when things start getting rough, and lower if needed ie. really rough / sand etc.

Travis.