[SierraDan]

That is mathematically incorrect.

[shandy92]

why nothing bigger than 10.5? i personally dont like pizza cutters, i dont see the extra inch in width being all that hard to work with but maybe im missing something?

had the thought today about getting some 32 and also some 235's for daily. i drive to far for work and its chewing my tires

[SierraDan]

10.5 are pizza cutters? haha

[shandy92]

SierraDan wrote:

10.5 are pizza cutters? haha

no no, but i wouldnt get a 33 in a 10.5" but then again i wouldnt run a 33 regardless.

[atari4x4]

skinny tyres ARE the future

[shandy92]

atari4x4 wrote:

skinny tyres ARE the future

doesnt mean i have to like them tho!

[got_bar_work]

If u want fat tires might as well go all out and get some pit bull rockers

[christover1]

I'm considering dropping to 30 x 9.50's
Those I've seen are not much different in height, but a good inch narrower than my 31's.
Got to be less stress on everything, and more economical.
My 31's are getting towards roadies now.
Can't drop too small, as my crawler gears would become useless

Have already fitted my smaller AT's back on the camper, as my fuel economy was suffering.
And i could get away with a 29 as a spare, for the Vit
lighter for the door and the overall car weight.

BFG's or Couragias are my present thought, but still thinking.

[atari4x4]

what sort of economy were you getting on the open road chris?

one thing you might find that the 30's won't be much cheaper than a 31, if at all.

[christover1]

atari4x4 wrote:

what sort of economy were you getting on the open road chris?

one thing you might find that the 30's won't be much cheaper than a 31, if at all.

Purchase prices are not cheaper, as 31's are more common.
I not sure on exact figures, but used a lot more than the shorty not towing a camper.
Which is to be expected.
I didn't check useage on last trip, too busy having fun
I was carrying excessive weight, which will not help.

Figures using speedometer readings, not accurate, guide only.
On Horseyard Flats High Country April 2012 fully loaded including trailer

200K Road/Highway 29L 7K/L 14.5 L/100K

300K 50$ Off road/Steep Roads 55L 5.5K/L 18.5L/100K

Return trip from Horseyard, with trailer, and normal daily without trailer.

308K trailer hwy/ daily no trailer 43L 7K/L 13.9L/100K

General daily driving
Daily no trailer 39L 6.8K/L 14.6L/100K

[christover1]

PS I want a V6

[Matthew]

I haven't measured in real life, but according to tire rack 31x10.5 km2s have a tread width of 7.7", which is very close to the width of most other brands X9.5"s.

If I can find 16" rims cheap enough I might try 215/85s or 245/75s as road tyres, similar od to 31s but skinner, only downside is is finding a low enough load range for a Sierra.

[Built4thrashing]

christover1 wrote:

PS I want a V6

Ive got one

[Gwagensteve]

christover1 wrote:

PS I want a V6

Well you're using a V6 worth of fuel, you might as well have some performance

I can understand 18l/100km off road, but 14.6l/100km around town/no trailer is terrible. It's only on 31's

Steve.

[christover1]

Its probably better now, things have been fixed since then.
And my speedo is no where near accurate. Think its around 20% out

[bohuler]

Got your pm chris. the 30x9.5R15 i have a sell price if $223. The 31x10.5R15 are $233. I can do something with the price for you

Dave

[christover1]

bohuler wrote:

Got your pm chris. the 30x9.5R15 i have a sell price if $223. The 31x10.5R15 are $233. I can do something with the price for you

Dave

Is that price for the bfg km2 or the couragias? or both?

[christover1]

These Km2's appear to be a very good price, free delivery to Melbourne if buy 4 or 5.
Am I missing something, other than fit n balancing costs?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/261108848060 ... 1438.l2649

My present 31's measure less than 30 now :O

[sideways]

FWIW my 30" KM2s measure 29.5" on 15x7s. 98% tread.

A friend of mine has worn out 31" KM1s that measure 28.5", only 15cm of clearance under the spring plates and 17cm under the diff! (Ex mines GU tray back)

[christover1]

sideways wrote:

FWIW my 30" KM2s measure 29.5" on 15x7s. 98% tread.

A friend of mine has worn out 31" KM1s that measure 28.5", only 15cm of clearance under the spring plates and 17cm under the diff! (Ex mines GU tray back)

Just went out with the ruler.
My 31.s are actually only 29 now,
so I'd gain .5" while the 30's were new

[sideways]

Geez, don't get to carried away with that 6.25mm of lift!

[christover1]

sideways wrote:

Geez, don't get to carried away with that 6.25mm of lift!

Might stop me bumping me head getting in

[Built4thrashing]

Gwagensteve wrote:

christover1 wrote:

PS I want a V6

Well you're using a V6 worth of fuel, you might as well have some performance

I can understand 18l/100km off road, but 14.6l/100km around town/no trailer is terrible. It's only on 31's

Steve.

Auto, tyres and diff locks wont help economy.

[christover1]

I should add my intended use for the tyres.
Tough Tourer is what I'm aiming at.
Will be long trips on roads,
but must be capable of medium hard trips at destinations.
Reliability is important.
No tyre is likely to be brilliant at everything,
definitely want more aggressive than Allterrains,
but not aiming at Simex ET type of tyres.

Personal experience with the Couragias has been good.
BFG's seem to have a good rep.
But there could be other choices I haven't found yet

[TZAR]

Dont forget about rolling resistance too. This will affect how much fuel you use.

BFG, Goodyear wranglers have a 3 ply sidewall which INCREASES rolling restitance causing a fuel use increase. But they will protect the tyre (slightly) in a off road sitation better.

Japanese made tyres ie bridgestone yokohama only have 2 ply sidewalls, allowing for a smother ride, less rolling restance and are usually a far better build quality than others.

Have you considered the option of two sets of tyres??? Maybe some standard tyres for mall cruising then swapping them over before you go away??? Its a pain in the arse but it can save you money

[christover1]

Two sets it not for me.
Been there, often a long way from home when an off road set is unexpectedly wanted.
Hated going all the way home to swap tyres when a trip comes up.

I knew rolling resistance was an issue,
didn't realise that was affected by tyre wall stiffness.
Thought it was only due to tread design, tyre weight and size..
My Couragias are 2 ply side wall, but have a rib of rubber to help protect them.
Never had a problem with them on the Vitara or the Sierra, in total of over 5 years.
So I lean towards what I know, but don't want to close my mind.

The closed tread of the Km2's could be better in sand, but worse in gunk.

The 215 At's I stuck on trailer weigh 6Kg each less than the 31's did, that's got to help.

I will be shedding some tools and spares to decrease weight carried also.

[christover1]

PS. I spent my entire off road life chasing and working towards bigger tyres.
Now I'm talking smaller, do I need a smack in the head?

[atari4x4]

christover1 wrote:

I will be shedding some tools and spares to decrease weight carried also.

this

christover1 wrote:

I need a smack in the head?

yes

[christover1]

atari4x4 wrote:

christover1 wrote:

I will be shedding some tools and spares to decrease weight carried also.

this

christover1 wrote:

I need a smack in the head?

yes

Have you given your km2's a good test yet?
Is ya happy wid em?
Or are You happy with them so far.
They appear to be a narrower tread than other tyres, could be a bonus even if I stay bigger.

[atari4x4]

nah not really but they seem to work well in spots they have been used... no real mud & haven't done a sand trip yet.

heaps of people run them & think they're ok.