Member Since: 14 Mar 2010
Location: Wechelderzande
Posts: 11
General Tire Grabber AT: specific questions
A topic probably beaten to death already, but I have some questions on the following:
I'm now on Pirelli Scorpions, road biased, almost worn, so I need replacement. Since I want to move more into Offroad (Marquanterre in FR coming up in May, and 2 weeks holiday in Spain in summer with Offroad possibilites), I want to replace them with all Terrain tires. The General Tire AT's look the part, and I can get them - on my car, balanced and all - for about 245 euro per wheel in 255/55R19.
A couple of questions on those tires:
- What's the difference between the AT2's and the AT's?
- Do they suffer from the 'weak sidewall' that the AT2's had?
- Will they perform OK in the Marquanterre sands? Driving style hovers between 'novice, barely knowing what he's doing', 'the guy's lucky to have recovery vehicles nearby' and 'safety first'.
- Can I deflate them without damaging them?
- I realize that onroad performance will suffer, compared to the Scorpions, but will the wife notice?
Thanks for sharing you in-depth and hands-on knowledge here.
Looking forward to the answers,
Cheers, B-.
17th Apr 2012 9:46 am
DaveT
Member Since: 01 Aug 2005
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2573
I'm no expert but...
I've had AT2 in 18" and thought them a very good compromise tyre, jack of all trades and very cost effective.
I had no issues with sidewalls.
I'm currently on AT's in 19". They've been on the car just over 10k miles and don't look much different to new.
They've done everything other than sloppy mud, and performed just fine.
Sand. Now there's a dilemma! I managed to get comprehensively stuck - but I blame myself more than the tyres!
I went down to about 18psi. At that pressure steering was a bit like a pedalo and I still struggled. Lowering to 14 is said to be possible, and I reckon would have made a fair difference - but would require gentle driving.
As an all round tyre - I reckon they're great, and excellent value.
And no, I don't work for them Long succession of Disco's since 2001...
SIII Lightweight - neglected & rusting. Bulkhead, A panels, vent panel & outriggers now disintegrated - Next years project!
17th Apr 2012 7:53 pm
pom
Member Since: 10 Feb 2008
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 1790
I've just had a set of the new AT's. They dont look as aggressive as the AT2 and the pattern has been much improved. They are a little quieter as well i think.
Pom
17th Apr 2012 7:55 pm
BullyBrighton
Member Since: 06 Nov 2010
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 33
I have been running AT's for 16 months and about 20,000 miles. Cannot fault them on road or off. No difference really to noise or mpg that I notice between the scorpions and AT's and I can vouch for grass and sloppy mud, they work great.
I am down to about 6mm tread on the front and the rear shoulders slightly less and they look used but still perform. A bit of tyre dressing now and then brings them back up gleaming.
They don't disappoint!
17th Apr 2012 8:01 pm
LandyCommercial
Member Since: 08 Feb 2011
Location: Scotland
Posts: 23
I had AT2's on my D3 until they stopped doing them, i have had them on other 4x4's and they are the best tyre I have ever used for noise, wear and for grip, I got 65k out of them on my disco and never even had a wheelspin off-road at work (over fields and rough tracks towing compressors etc.., not full on snorkel stuff).
The AT's I now have have not worn quite as well, and they are not quite as good grip-wise. I have had about 45k out of them so far and there is about 4/5mm left.
The BF Goodrich AT are meant to be good and I tried to get them when they stopped the AT2 but I couldnt get them anywhere either.
I have the 18" AT2's and they have a pretty aggressive pattern and rumble a bit on the road, but they are a great 'all round' tyre. I know the tread pattern for the newer version is much less aggressive, so should be quieter but I would guess a little less grippy on the wet stuff (although I will let others who have them give their own report on that score).
I have never had a problem with weak side walls - wasnt even aware there was a problem?!
8th May 2012 4:23 pm
tienvijftien
Member Since: 14 Mar 2010
Location: Wechelderzande
Posts: 11
A little follow up:
I am very very content with the AT's I am having now.
Onroad behavior is a breeze, and they allow me to run them all year long (winter & summer),
and sell my winter tires/wheels. More news on that in the For Sale section.
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
Rock on.
17th Oct 2012 9:50 am
AJS4X4
Member Since: 30 Mar 2008
Location: Surrey
Posts: 3224
Great tyres that tick the most boxes at present.
17th Oct 2012 11:16 am
tienvijftien
Member Since: 14 Mar 2010
Location: Wechelderzande
Posts: 11
AJS4X4 wrote:
Great tyres that tick the most boxes at present.
Plus, and with the risk of sounding like a women here, they look great on the car. Ha! Rock on.
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