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Andrew95



Member Since: 27 Jul 2022
Location: Midlands
Posts: 70

United Kingdom 1997 Defender 110 300 Tdi SW Corris Grey
Overlanding Tyres
In an ideal world I am looking for 255/85/r16 AT tyres, however I am not sure if they exist - certainly can't seem to find any in the UK. So the current debate is 285 AT vs 255 MT. (Currently running 285 MT).

285 AT 'in theory' is likely to be less noisy than the 255 MT. But the 255 MT would have less surface area in contact with the road so would have some noise reduction, and also thinking the 255 might increase acceleration slightly (less surface area?).

Does anybody have any experience with both tyre sizes? Any feedback with either?
Would changing to 285 AT have a significant reduction in noise to the current MT (I don't really have anything to compare it too as when we bought the truck it had a right mix of road and AT tyres on, from what I remember it was quite loud even then).
Post #1044104 28th Aug 2024 11:55am
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MarkBrown



Member Since: 03 Oct 2022
Location: Mid Wales
Posts: 443

Wales 1983 Defender 110 Other HT Auto Keswick Green
I’ve Toyo open country MT’s 255 85 16 on my 110 and they’re exactly the same as anything else noise wise. Apart from a set of Insa Dakars years ago all the sets I’ve had on any 4x4 have been quiet. I’ve never had any all terrains except on my van and there was no difference at all to the noise. Winter tyres on the car tend to be slightly louder by hardly noticeable.

Click image to enlarge
Post #1044109 28th Aug 2024 12:09pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20282

United Kingdom 
255/85/R16 BFG, KM2 MTR here, really happy, would go for the current KM3 when needed.

No problems at all or issues with noise, not good in snow or ice as expected and not to be driven rapid in very wet conditions but I’m really pleased with them.
Off road they’ll go anywhere pretty much.

They do very good miles as well, which is why the price is that bit more. Toyo are close though, people seem to be quite happy with those as well. ⭐️⭐️God Bless the USA 🇬🇧🇺🇸 ⭐️⭐️
Post #1044111 28th Aug 2024 12:14pm
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Chicken Drumstick



Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 707

United Kingdom 
Re: Overlanding Tyres
Andrew95 wrote:
In an ideal world I am looking for 255/85/r16 AT tyres, however I am not sure if they exist - certainly can't seem to find any in the UK. So the current debate is 285 AT vs 255 MT. (Currently running 285 MT).

285 AT 'in theory' is likely to be less noisy than the 255 MT. But the 255 MT would have less surface area in contact with the road so would have some noise reduction, and also thinking the 255 might increase acceleration slightly (less surface area?).

Does anybody have any experience with both tyre sizes? Any feedback with either?
Would changing to 285 AT have a significant reduction in noise to the current MT (I don't really have anything to compare it too as when we bought the truck it had a right mix of road and AT tyres on, from what I remember it was quite loud even then).

Not sure I follow your logic at all about widths.

For overlanding I'd have thought a common and easy to replace size would be ideal. 285 is arguably the poser tyre and unlikely to perform better anywhere over a more narrow tyre.

Personally I'd probably go something like an XZL, very tough tyre and there is a reason they are used by the military. Although it would limit you to the 7.50 x 16 size. Which is a great performing size and you could always run with a 235/85 or 265/75 if you had too as they are all a similar diameter.
Post #1044116 28th Aug 2024 1:27pm
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Mo Murphy



Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2214

United Kingdom 1984 Defender 90 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel HT Auto Pennine Grey
It all depends where you are overlanding and the tyre availability.
Personally I'd go for 235s or 7.50s for ease of replacement.
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.

50 Shades of Pennine Grey
Post #1044121 28th Aug 2024 2:22pm
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Jabberwocky



Member Since: 27 Oct 2021
Location: Luxembourg
Posts: 221

Luxembourg 
Where are you going? You don’t really want to be fitting an unusual size, you have to be able to get replacements where you are going. When we go to Africa in a couple of years I’m sticking with standard size.
Post #1044128 28th Aug 2024 2:45pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7987

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
I am with mo and chicken drumstick on this.

An AT will be quieter. Do you need MT? What are you aiming to do overland wise? Gravel tracks and camping a light duty AT would do it

I wouldnt use MT s for overlanding. Noiser and use more fuel.

I would also work with ready available sizes. A 235 of a good choice. 285s tend to be quite wide for some narrow rocky tracks and can pickup more sidewall damage. Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop


Last edited by jst on 9th Oct 2024 2:00pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #1044129 28th Aug 2024 2:52pm
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34064



Member Since: 12 Dec 2023
Location: South Central
Posts: 162

United Kingdom 2003 Defender 110 Td5 HT Alaska White
Just got arguments sake which I'm sure Mr Drumstick will absolutely love but I find my 110 more sure footed off road on it's all terrains in 235 85 16 and an ATB in the rear no ABS or TC compared to my D2 that I used to have with 265 75 16 muds on which would slip alot more off road even with CDL TC and a rear ATB in was good when it really went but always seemed to slip a bit here and there. 110 Td5 Ex Utilities slowly converting into a pop top camper one day

Build thread:https://www.defender2.net/forum/post1024784.html#1024784
Post #1044158 28th Aug 2024 6:17pm
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lolo



Member Since: 18 Jul 2021
Location: Vaud
Posts: 123

Switzerland 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Keswick Green
I have extensively overlanded with both size, 255/85 BFG KM3 and 235/85 Cooper AT3.

My personal experience is that 98% of the time I was on tarmac or gravel roads. In terms of noise, driving agreement, fuel economy, mecanic sympathy, sticking to 235/85 is the way to go. For look, slight addtionnal ground clearance, true speedo reading go with the 255.

Unfortunately no alternative in 255 AT in Europe but Ziarelli Cruiser retreaded tire.
Post #1045881 15th Sep 2024 6:10pm
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BaronDefenders



Member Since: 28 Jun 2019
Location: London/Cotswolds
Posts: 895

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Santorini Black
I’ve used 285 and 255 sizes. 255 is only available from Toyo and BFG in MT at the moment, from what I can see. 285 is manufactured by several companies and in both MT and AT. In terms of on road driving characteristics, there’s not an awful lot to differentiate a 255 and a 285 MT. Off road I’ve found 255 is preferable as they drop into wheel ruts and don’t float across the top. That’s not to say I’ve had problems with 285 ever.

255 is slightly taller than 285, by something like 0.2”, meaning it will raise the gearing and worsen acceleration.

285 also seems more ubiquitous if you need a sudden replacement. Charlie

1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD)
2002 Td5 90 (SOLD)
2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD)

1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored)
1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE)
2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK)
2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build)

Instagram: @BaronDefenders
Post #1045909 16th Sep 2024 6:39am
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Mo Murphy



Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2214

United Kingdom 1984 Defender 90 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel HT Auto Pennine Grey
It really is dependent on where you are going ! Down through Africa, central Asia eastern Russia is overlanding. You will find getting clean fuel, exotic oils and non standard tyre sizes very difficult.
Anywhere else isn't really overlanding and you will be able to get tyres, lube and fuel easily.
HTH
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.

50 Shades of Pennine Grey
Post #1045914 16th Sep 2024 7:50am
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Timo K



Member Since: 23 Aug 2012
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 170

Finland 
Just did 20 000km through Europe, Russia and Central Asia and back on 255/85R16, they are siped. Cruising at 85-95 fuel consumption is about 10.5-11L/100km.

The engine and wind noise is way louder than the tyres, I have a 300Tdi.

Parts of the trip made Camel Trophy look like a parking lot driving exam...

I see no point in fitting AT's these days. The Toyo MT's are superb. I used to run same size BFG KM2 but would not go back to them now.
Post #1048053 8th Oct 2024 3:44pm
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