Desert Traveller
Member Since: 06 Aug 2006
Location: The Gabba - QLD
Posts: 420
  
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| Low profile tyres - long distance offroad "touring" |
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I have recently fitted a set of 18" AT tyres and travelled over 3000 kms offroad and 2000 kms on the black stuff (heavily loaded). On getting back to the coast I had the tyres examined by the manufacturer. Following are the comments from their technical experts.
Quote:Our Tyre engineer has found the following;
What has occured is called, swelling of the tread. It occurs due to a signifcant difference in temperature between the tread and sidewall. caused by low pressure usage over an extended time. it is also evident near the bead area of the tyre.
Our engineer has advised this is not uncommon in H, V and W rated tyres where the tyre is manufactured to meet very high speed requirements. This reduces its offroad ability, as the offroad ability is compromised to meet the high speed rating.
It is also magnified by the fact this tyre is of low profile design, so the sidewall height is significantly less than a normal LT or offroad style tyre. When used at low pressure heat build up will occur faster than a taller sidewall tyre.
I am not having a go at any tyre manufacturer as this will apply on all. All this highlights that if you intend to use your D3 with 18" and 19" tyres in long distance low pressure touring (i.e. the desert) you will experience premature failures. I will review my tyre options and will probably purchase a set of 17"s for my desert and outback touring. For short distance offroading I don't believe that there are any issues. 06 TDV6 SE with many LR and after-market extras. Used only on weekends and trips out west.
Audi TT Roadster (Daily and around town drive)
VW Eos TDI For Sale
Previously 01 TD5 and 94 TDI
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 23rd Sep 2007 11:42 pm |
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caverD3
Member Since: 02 Jul 2006
Location: Oberon, NSW
Posts: 6922
 
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Thanks Desert Traveller good info.  “There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely gamesâ€
Ernest Hemmingway
D4 3.0 Active Diff, Adaptive Lights, High Beam Assist, Surround Cameras, Privacy Glass.
D3 2.7:Adaptive Headlights,Electronic Rear Diff,ARB Bar,Blaupunkt Speakers,JVC Powered Subwoofer,Removable Snorkel,Mitch Hitch,Pioneer After Market Head Unit,Steering Wheel Control Adaptor,Remote Adjustable Supension Rod System, Taxside Dual Battery System.
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| 24th Sep 2007 12:58 am |
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robharvey
Member Since: 14 May 2007
Location: Durban
Posts: 138
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I've recently come back from a trip to Botswana where one of my Grabbers "failed". At the moment the tyre is with my dealer who'll send it to the manufacturer early next week at my request. By failed I blistered the side wall of the tyre - I can't apportion blame at this stage (to the tyre or my driving) until the manufacturer has a look at the tyre. I did about 3500kms on tar and 1500 on dirt/soft sand, fully loaded but my tyre pressures were never below 2 bars. Will keep you informed of any developments. For the rest the Grabbers performed brilliantly (oh yes, and so did the car)!
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| 26th Sep 2007 12:17 pm |
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pbhawkin
Member Since: 14 Dec 2006
Location: Mudgee
Posts: 377
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Robharvey,
any news on your tyres from the manufacturers? regards
Peter
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Oct 2013 SDV6 3.0 HSE.
2007 TDV6 SE E-diff, adaptive lights sold 1/2014
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| 10th Jan 2008 5:59 am |
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Martin Krutli
Member Since: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 229
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Which is one of the reasons I went for the 265x65x18 Tyres. Even though 65 is still relatively low profile, it is a significant improvement over 60 series. The 'died-in-the-wool' 4x4'ers maintain that anything under 75 series is too low.
Cheers. MY08 TDV6 SE. White/Alpaca. BFG265/65/18 At's
Autologic, Trackside Dual Battery syst., Remote GME UHF, 4X4 Intelligence rear wheel carrier, Boab removable rear drawer system w National Luna fridge, Mitchell Bros hitch.
Rasta Plate. 110L LRA long-range fuel tank.
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| 10th Jan 2008 9:52 am |
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