logical001 wrote:

Hi All,

Been after tyres for a while as the Pirelli Scorpions decided to start cracking on the shoulders despite only being 4 years old with about 4mm of tread left. These cracks were large enough to put a 2 pence piece in so really not good. Sure... I could have just had a bad batch but while they were great, to begin with, they dropped off a cliff IMHO at about 50% worn.

After a bit of time researching the various forums and many positive reviews on here, I decided on the General Grabber AT3's. My plan was to go with a 275/45/20 H as V spec is like rocking horse poop. From talking to various dealers, there is a shortage of these with excuses ranging from Covid.. to some boat getting stuck in the Suez canal or even the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.... take your pick!

I actually needed the tyres replaced before a Cornwall camping trip this weekend and so I started to feel like that kid from the 1985 Yellow pages Hornby advert.

I found the phone number for Charles at JCS 4x4 in Nottingham and waited for the usual 'No' or an attempt to talk me into the latest Korean ditch finders. Instead, I just got an extremely laid back 'yep.. pop along tomorrow, I got 275 and 255 sizes  

I turned up this afternoon and Charles promptly brought both tyres sizes out. I then looked them over while he explained the slight pros and cons with both on the D4 while I scratched my chin.

I was just about to do a coin toss when he said did I want to look at the new AT3 size which has just arrived? Err...sure!  This tyre is a 265/50/20 and so neatly sits in the middle of the other two. The main difference is a slightly revised and thicker side wall (111 rated) and the higher V-spec along with an improved wet sticker rating if anything to go by.  'This might do you he said... bit of a sweet spot to the OEM size I suspect'

I agreed to have 4 tyres and Charles set about changing the tyres with the most care I've ever seen. He even used a protector on my freshly refurbed Landmark rims.

With everything getting a final check and nuts torqued,  I set off home half expecting some more tyre noise or a stiffer ride. Frankly, I was astounded. It was EXACTLY the same ride as before on-road... even when pressing on at 80 mph. No extra noise or any sign of tramlining on the heavily lorry rutted M1.

It can't comment on wet performance or the light off-road I will do... but am beginning to see what everyone is on about.

Anyway, hope this is some use to those looking for Tyres. I have no affiliation with Charles or General Tyres (I make websites for a living) but I can highly recommend him especially as he is a fellow D3 and D4 owner.

J@mes wrote:

I have 275 45 20 on the same rims. I think some people run 285.
They fit fine, yes to a point the rim size governs the tyre width but in this case they fit fine.