 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Best Tyre Size for Overland Defender |
 
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| Steve B Member Since: 22 May 2009 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 589   
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Completely agree with Glyn, I have 7.5 x 16 XZL on my Defender, chose to fit these after some research for this very question. I would choose a tyre most suitable for the places you wish to travel, maybe the XZL was the best allrounder in the past but definitely not now. I would choose an All Terrain Tyre now. We recently had a Landrover in Africa and it had on it what looked like Michelin 7.5 x 16 road tyres, I was really scepticle but wow they were brilliant nice on the road and got us through some really deep sand. The 7.5 x 16 is a good size no problem there but the tread I would choose carefully. Another point on my XZL's, in the snow on tarmac last year they were lethal. My travelling in my Defender unless I win the lotter will allways be in Europe so my next tyre choice would be and all terrain 265/75 Steve  |
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4th Oct 2012 7:59am |
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| drive4change Member Since: 15 Aug 2012 Location: Somerset Posts: 193 
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I was originally thinking of a BFG it seemed to me that many overlanders were using them. I will be carrying a minimum of two spares but would rather they stayed spare lol Has anyone had any strength issues with the BFG AT?
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4th Oct 2012 9:10am |
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| spudfan Member Since: 10 Sep 2007 Location: Co Donegal Posts: 4806 
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Glynparry25 wrote"But it is way better to move with the times and get the best the world has to offer "
Like the Puma.  1982 88" 2.25 diesel
1992 110 200tdi csw -Zikali 2008 110 2.4 tdci csw-Zulu 2011 110 2.4 tdci csw-Masai |
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4th Oct 2012 1:27pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8582
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Where are you planning on going that you will need more then two spares? My experience whilst travelling is that you get more punctures in towns, normally from things like roofing screws! Once got a roofing screw through corner of side wall which legally is irrepairable. So had to get a replacement tyre in from 2,400 miles away! Took a week to arrive so I just pottered around the local area for a week. The philsophy when you get a puncture is to repair the puncture and preserve your spare tyres. Otherwiise you run the risk of having to repair two or three tyres! Get yourself a good deflator, compressor and repair kit. Also remember you need two mean of undoing wheel nuts, two means of jacking the vehicle and do not forget the folding axle stand. Brendan Last edited by leeds on 4th Oct 2012 9:39pm. Edited 1 time in total |
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4th Oct 2012 8:13pm |
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| drive4change Member Since: 15 Aug 2012 Location: Somerset Posts: 193
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In your opinion is a Warn Powerplant a good compromise as a Winch / compressor / deflator in one?
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4th Oct 2012 9:27pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8582
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Normally I dislike things which are made to do several functions, however that is one of my endearing foibles
Have not used the Warn Powerplant but we have Warn winches on our vehicles. The Warn Powerplant specification are
Now that high pressure flowrate is good
Downside is length of hose at 12' but that is easily extended which you would need for a 130 Retail price is £1908 The smaller one
Looks like the same good compressor
125' of wire is better
Retail price is £1817 We can supply either of those Warn winches. When you decide which winch etc you want give us a bell and will see what price we can do them for. Brendan |
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4th Oct 2012 10:16pm |
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| wslr Member Since: 18 Jul 2010 Location: Wellington, Somerset Posts: 581
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Most areas you are going in Africa, you'll find any small village will have a bloke who can fix tyres, provided they are tubed. Tubeless would be a problem unless you learn to fix them yourself.
Also steel wheels help as you can smack them back into shape whereas alloys will probably crack. 2 spares a good idea. I always carried 2 even out on local journeys. The Firestone factory out near Nairobi's JK airport was still producing the 205/16 Town and Country which was ideal as a tubed 4x4 tyre, and even some of the locals used these to rally with as they were cheap and reliable. My brother did the Cape Town trip a few years ago using the KL71 tyres, which were good except that they couldn't locate replacements easily and even considered asking me to send a set out to Nakuru. If you take the tubeless route, I'd personally be using some Tyre Seal. Unless you get creative, most of the trip will be tracks/tarmac and this stuff is pretty good. It will seal a 9mm round shot into it provided you are moving, so acacia tree thorns are no issue. Also, on this note, some of these areas are risk areas. You may be forced off the road or even have stinger type tyre deflation (locally made so it probably won't work) put out in front of you, so having the ability to get past this fast which the Tyre Seal will allow. Bonus is that you can wash this out of the tyre as it stays a liquid inside the tyre under normal conditions. Good stuff which is cheap and it sells well as a result. However, as you are in a 200tdi 130, fast may not be an option.  |
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4th Oct 2012 10:17pm |
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| drive4change Member Since: 15 Aug 2012 Location: Somerset Posts: 193
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Thanks for that Richard 
Of course, a voodoo exhaust system would definitely help  
Steve |
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5th Oct 2012 11:41am |
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| Go Beyond Member Since: 30 Jan 2012 Location: Headcorn, Kent Posts: 6678
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I personally wouldn't have a Warn dual winch thing up front, too heavy, possibly wipes out the whole lot in a front end bump, too nickable, too expensive
There are plenty of good quality portable compressors on the market to choose from, cheaper, lighter, can be used on other vehicles without having to move your vehicle .... |
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5th Oct 2012 11:47am |
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| drive4change Member Since: 15 Aug 2012 Location: Somerset Posts: 193
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That was a school of thought Matt. We have plenty of space in the rear to be able to carry a portable compressor if that is a better way to go.
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5th Oct 2012 11:54am |
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| Go Beyond Member Since: 30 Jan 2012 Location: Headcorn, Kent Posts: 6678
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Only my opinion ....
If not portable, take a look at the range on Matt Savages site of fitted compressor set ups ... |
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5th Oct 2012 11:56am |
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| drive4change Member Since: 15 Aug 2012 Location: Somerset Posts: 193
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All opinions much appreciated
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5th Oct 2012 11:57am |
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| wslr Member Since: 18 Jul 2010 Location: Wellington, Somerset Posts: 581
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Yea, noise is something which you tend to get a response out of people, certainly in East Africa.
I think the Voodoo system is a certainty, but perhaps run it down here when you have done the work on the truck and it can be built then. No point copying the original as you can't make any improvements except with the materials used. |
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5th Oct 2012 12:18pm |
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| drive4change Member Since: 15 Aug 2012 Location: Somerset Posts: 193
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Sounds great
The new galvanised chassis being donated to us by Marsland Chassis UK will be arriving in 2 to 3 weeks. At which point we hope to be able to get some real time dedicated to rebuilding.  |
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5th Oct 2012 12:24pm |
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