Member Since: 28 Aug 2011
Location: West Wales
Posts: 1
new 17" tyres - advice needed
Hi,
I'm looking for advice on tyres for my Disco, which currently has stock 235/70 R17 Continental 4x4 Contacts on. These seem fairly quiet on-road, but useless off-road - I've lost track of the number of times I've been embarrassingly stuck in very NON-extreme conditions.
Most of our use is on road, but rarely long motorway trips, just local driving around the twisty lanes here in Wales. However, I do need to tow a horse trailer, and have regularly got stuck in fields, slight mud etc. (even without a trailer!), in situations when I would expect a vehicle as capable as a Disco to sail through it. Performance in snow has also been disappointing - we have quite a long drive up to the farm, and were snowed in for about 3 weeks last winter. The disco was sliding around all over the place and could hardly move, while our neighbour was zipping in and out quite happily in his Subaru.
I clearly need something a bit more chunky, but don't want anything that's so noisy on road that it scares my dad when he borrows it
This tyre size seems to only have fairly road-biased tyres - are any better than others?
I've heard of people fitting slightly different size tyres to get better performance (like 245/70 R17 Grabbers). Can you do this? On the same rims? Is there any point?
So, what do people think?
Thanks,
John.
28th Aug 2011 11:29 am
biskit
Member Since: 23 Dec 2009
Location: in my Mancave.
Posts: 1376
Hi John, i have G.G AT2s size 265/ 70/ R17 slightly over sized but great tyre, speedo reads 28 when doing 30 but mpg readout is about right. Not too dear either.
28th Aug 2011 11:57 am
Simons17
Member Since: 12 Aug 2010
Location: beverley north yorkshire
Posts: 233
I think 265 are too big i have run this size before and you can get rubing of the arches on full lock and articulation. also without modifying the underneath you have to let the spare down a bit to get it under. some people run these tyres and think they are great. it is personal opinion.
245 70 17 gives a very good tyre choice. i would go for the cooper ST they are very good off road G5 LRO uses these and he has been every where i can go on muds. also for snow look back through the videos on here for the dutch mountain rescue. and youll see how deep of snow you can drive in with these on. secondly i would go for the BFG all terains in the 245 a bit more money but a good tyre.
29th Aug 2011 9:38 am
AJS4X4
Member Since: 30 Mar 2008
Location: Surrey
Posts: 3224
265/65x17 are fine and are best load rating.
30th Aug 2011 2:06 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23786
I've not used them myself, but I know of someone who does and he's happy.
They're available in 235/7017 XL load rated, so no insurance company hassle for not having oem standard size. Some companies don't care, some increase the premium and some refuse cover!
Food for thought
30th Aug 2011 3:12 pm
biskit
Member Since: 23 Dec 2009
Location: in my Mancave.
Posts: 1376
Had the GGat2s on about 9months did a few green lane trips and have noticed they caught on three occasions, i like very much.
30th Aug 2011 5:12 pm
Rabbit Leader
Member Since: 15 Apr 2008
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 196
General Tyres ...
Hi John,
I swapped my road tyres for 235/70 R17 General Grabber AT2's and cannot recomment them highly enough!!
Like you, I got stuck on basically wet grass (clay soil) with road tyres, and AJS Tyres were very helpful regarding fit and tyre pressures etc.
I have had no issues with tyre rubbing on full lock etc, but went for the standard 235's and was advised that this wouldn't be a problem.
I tow a heavy caravan and have not had a problem on wet grass, mud and even snow!
I don't green lane, but some of the stuff I got over during the last snow was unbelievable.
They say they are a 50/50 tyre, but there is no noticable difference is road noise to me and I think they offer a nicer (kinda more comfortable) ride ...
Here are mine on the day they were fitted ...
Click image to enlarge
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9th Sep 2011 6:33 pm
Rabbit Leader
Member Since: 15 Apr 2008
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 196
... forgot to add!
Oh, and have a look at this clever page, to work out the difference between your current tyres and potential new ones ...
I bought a set of 17" wheels and moved to 235/70 R17 General Grabber AT2's and (as has ben said before) cannot recommend them highly enough!!
I don't drive off road much, only when shooting, but the AT2's were superb in the snow last winter. My village was snowed in, and for two days I was the only vehicle in & out, despite there being other 4 x 4s in the village the difference being the tyres (& of course my great skills & experience !).
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10th Sep 2011 2:00 am
AJS4X4
Member Since: 30 Mar 2008
Location: Surrey
Posts: 3224
NJSS wrote:
I bought a set of 17" wheels and moved to 235/70 R17 General Grabber AT2's and (as has ben said before) cannot recommend them highly enough!!
I don't drive off road much, only when shooting, but the AT2's were superb in the snow last winter. My village was snowed in, and for two days I was the only vehicle in & out, despite there being other 4 x 4s in the village the difference being the tyres (& of course my great skills & experience !).
NJSS
Do you mean you had 265/65x17 fitted, or am I getting my wires crossed.
10th Sep 2011 7:08 am
Gazellio
Member Since: 08 Jan 2011
Location: Chilterns
Posts: 4130
You need the Kuhmos. Like its says above you can use them year round with a very pleasant minor hum above 40mph:
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
PS: The above is for sale now....
10th Sep 2011 7:17 am
AJS4X4
Member Since: 30 Mar 2008
Location: Surrey
Posts: 3224
I have to say that out of all the tyres I have used in all conditions the Kumho KL71 rates the WORST in snow but is good at everything else.
10th Sep 2011 8:12 am
CFB
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Posts: 6100
I think my Wranglers will be better in the now but I bought the KL71's for off-road and tomorrow will be muddy at the site!!2020 BMW X1 18d XDrive X-Line Auto
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