[benchez]

So my 30/9.5R15 Maxxis Mudders are getting pretty light on for tread, so i'm wondering (after seeing these www.cl-link.com/photo/66_5.jpg ), what would be the pros or more importantly any cons for going a tyre in a 215/85R16? These are equivelent to a 30-31/8.5R16. I know they're pretty skinny, so obvious disadvantage on sand, but my main driving is mud and rutted fire trails. I want my zook to be a bit different, so a departure from the usual 'fattest tyre possible' trend is a definite option. I've found a cooper Light Truck tyre in a At pattern in this size and I know that their tyres are great quality.

[alien]

its a very good idea... think of a tank when you think of tyres...

40+tons of steel on 2 skinny tracks... its the length of the tread that provides you traction, not the width. When you air down a tyre your aim is to increase its length on the ground giving more tread to grip it.

Now consider - what brands are available in that size and are you happy with those tread patterns?

I engineered mine for 31x10.5r15 as its a common size and very available, it was also the biggest i could go with WA's stupid laws (which are now worse). My next set will most likely be 32x9.5 swampers.

[89_tintop]

A mate runs a good year wrangler in a skinnier size on his tourer an absolutely swears by them..

He is doing all kinds of terrain and says they are perfect on everything.

215s are farely thin though.. I would look for something a little wider .. Maybe a 225 or wider again as the tread pattern tends to get tight with smaller sizes... So less self cleaning

[BUZOOKA]

a skinny tyre is a good idea tho as it will just cut through the mud and not just hit and sink bering in tassie mud is our main tracks so it would more then likley work better for u

[Junior_91]

I run 32x 9 swampers and they work great and i wanted to do the same go away from the widest tyre possible look.

[Gwagensteve]

I'm a big fan of skinny tyres for the reasons outlined above ( but did you know skinny tyres are better on sand that fat tyres?) however, I don't think I'd go with 215's. They're an uncommon size, so you have a limited range of replacements, and also check their load rating- lots of narrow 16's have sky high load ratings that don't conform well on a Sierra.

Personally if you are going to narrow 16's I'd step up another inch to 7.50 16's or 235 85 16- more tyre availability and a bit longer footprint.

Steve.

[atari4x4]

Junior_91 wrote:

I run 32x 9 swampers and they work great and i wanted to do the same go away from the widest tyre possible look.

what sort of swamper are you running?

[foonji]

Like this Alien?

[alien]

nar more like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5aWAW2h ... re=related

As steve informed me the other day - the TSL Bias is available in 32x9.5!
http://www.intercotire.com/tires.php?id=10&g=1

[lauby]

[Highway-Star]

alien wrote:

As steve informed me the other day - the TSL Bias is available in 32x9.5!
http://www.intercotire.com/tires.php?id=10&g=1

There is the 32x9.5x15
and the 32x9x16 (This is what Junior_91 has)
So a little skinnier if your happy to go to 16" rims

I'm still not 100% sure on TSL's myself, the lack of sidebiters bothers me.... But I have plenty of time to check out some more cars in action with different tyres on them

[foonji]

[alien]

Highway-Star wrote:

I'm still not 100% sure on TSL's myself, the lack of sidebiters bothers me.... But I have plenty of time to check out some more cars in action with different tyres on them

I noticed that also - but then look at the simex - they hardly have anything on the sides too. I'd love the LTBs but they dont come in the smaller sizes - they have both siping and side biters!!!

[Gwagensteve]

The lack of "sidebiters" isn't really an issue unless you over-rim them. Stretched out, the sidewalls protrude and I agree it's a problem, but if they're on the right size rim the largest side lug pretty much protrudes past the sidewall so it's doing the work of the sidebiter.

The key issue here is the usefulness of the sidebiters is the width of the tyre. We have a spread of cars running 35's in the club - both Q78 swampers (10.5 wide) and Krawlers in 35 13.5. The '78's match the Krawlers for forward traction, but the massive width of the 13.5's jams into the ruts and makes the sidewall traction work. This much sidewall traction would be pointless on a 9" wide tyre as it's never going to fill the rut out enough to make it work.

Steve.

[alien]

but steeeeeeve sidebiters look coooooool!

[Highway-Star]

Sort of sorry to the O.P. for bringing sidebiters into the arguement, if its to off topic, please move it.

I realise that sidebiters are only of use in some situations, and in fact I can not make such effective use of them on my LJ, because I cannot drive the vehicle as slow and controlled. However on my Sierra, I can basically drive certain things on the sidewall of the tyre; ie say 2 tyres on their main tread area, and place one tyre so that it only touches ground on its sidewall; then I can still achieve forward motion unlocked. Very situation secific of course, usefull about 3.26% of the time but still I like to be able to do it.



Back to skinny tyres , I am really keen on my next set of tyres for my LJ being 7.00-16 Maxxis Creepy Crawlers
Yes they make them: http://www.maxxis.com/AutomobileLight-T ... awler.aspx

[zukenutter]

I like tall skinny tyres. 225/85R15 that would suit me although would be a little narrow for my pretty rims

[benchez]

Sidebiters are fine and this is a tyre topic, so all considerations welcome. I actually had a set of 33/12.5R15 Mickey T Baja Claws on my last car, a 94 Pathfinder with 3" Automotive Customizers long arm kit and 2" body lift. They have great sidebiters and were used LOTS! The biters would be something I'd look at considering I'm in Tassie and a track here can be dry and rutted one week, then muddy as hell the next. I've been trawling around some tyre distributor sites on line and it seems skinnies are pretty rare to find. Probably will steer away from TSL's and the super aggressives as I use the zook as a 110km round trip daily driver for work, lloking more at a quality AT.

[alien]

I'll post it again cos i think theyre a great looking tyre - the BFG KM2.

[benchez]

HighwayStar, those Creepy Crawlers look like hold and could definitely be on the cards if i ever look for a separate set of play tires, mounted on some nice tough steelies, would certainly get any zook that little bit further.

[benchez]

HighwayStar, those Creepy Crawlers look like hold and could definitely be on the cards if i ever look for a separate set of play tires, mounted on some nice tough steelies, would certainly get any zook that little bit further.

[tanshi]

mmm creepies!!!!

[benchez]

Maybe some of these on 24's instead? http://www.coopertires.com.au/index.php ... tyre_id=9#

[Junior_91]

atari4x4 wrote:

Junior_91 wrote:

I run 32x 9 swampers and they work great and i wanted to do the same go away from the widest tyre possible look.

what sort of swamper are you running?

32x9R16 TSL Super Swamper mate.

[BUZOOKA]

24s???? bugger that





























go 26s

[atari4x4]

Junior_91 wrote:

atari4x4 wrote:

Junior_91 wrote:

I run 32x 9 swampers and they work great and i wanted to do the same go away from the widest tyre possible look.

what sort of swamper are you running?

32x9R16 TSL Super Swamper mate.

so they would be the SAM-40's...

how do you find them being bias & do they bag alright being under a light weight zook?

how are they wearing?

[benchez]

These will be the ones on the realistic list though in a 215/85R16 with a decent (light) set of alloys. www.coopertires.com.au...yre_04.jpg

[BUZOOKA]

links dead for me mate

[Junior_91]

atari4x4 wrote:

Junior_91 wrote:

atari4x4 wrote:

Junior_91 wrote:

I run 32x 9 swampers and they work great and i wanted to do the same go away from the widest tyre possible look.

what sort of swamper are you running?

32x9R16 TSL Super Swamper mate.

so they would be the SAM-40's...

how do you find them being bias & do they bag alright being under a light weight zook?

how are they wearing?

They bag really well seeing as i only run 4psi in them

Wearing fine as they are only run offroad and they grip in every situation i have thrown at them, even rock.

[atari4x4]

Junior_91 wrote:

atari4x4 wrote:

Junior_91 wrote:

atari4x4 wrote:

Junior_91 wrote:

I run 32x 9 swampers and they work great and i wanted to do the same go away from the widest tyre possible look.

what sort of swamper are you running?

32x9R16 TSL Super Swamper mate.

so they would be the SAM-40's...

how do you find them being bias & do they bag alright being under a light weight zook?

how are they wearing?

They bag really well seeing as i only run 4psi in them

Wearing fine as they are only run offroad and they grip in every situation i have thrown at them, even rock.

beadlocked???

DAMN IT I SHOULD HAVE GRABED THOSE CHEAP SWAMPERS OFF EBAY