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Cupboard

Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 2971

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 HT Corris Grey

How much difference do aggressive tyres actually make?

I run 7.50 Michelin Latitudes, a not very aggressive AT pattern tyre. I've just got back from an off road course and the only problems I had were getting beached on the top of a hill, stalling it at the top of two different different hills and one hill climb where the diff lock popped out. I have to admit that stalling it on a rather churned up surface came as a bit of a shock to me, I really didn't expect that in 2nd low.

Anyway, whilst I was pootling round, the guys with massive great aggressive mud tyres were spraying mud everywhere and tbh getting less far than I was apart from improved approach, departure and ramp angles. Getting to the top of a hill where I've watched a built up vehicle struggle up and I've just plodded up seemed a bit like an anticlimax. It's not like I do it regularly and have a load of experience either.

Then I go and read an article on Expedition Portal about a 4x4 fire truck with standard road tyres keeping up on an off road course:

Quote:
For visitors looking to drive something a little larger, the organizers and some of the exhibitors provided a Hummer, some ex-military 4×4 MAN KATs, a newly built expedition truck and even a retired IVECO 4×4 firetruck. Each could be taken out on a trial course originally designed by the German army to include steep inclines, deep water wading and the toughest traction testing on unpredictable surfaces. It’s worth noting that the aged firetruck, with its standard road tyres, quickly became a favorite as it held its own against the more adequately equipped machinery (despite burying some of the auxiliary firefighting equipment attached to its front on some of the very steep descents).

So what gives? Do mud pattern tyres actually make a difference somewhere?

11th Jun 2016 4:52pm

PCA42

Member Since: 15 Jun 2014
Location: Church Stretton
Posts: 468

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Tonga Green

Big fat mud pattern tyres will make a big difference when it comes to really boggy, soft muddy ground.

However, like you I opt for narrower tyres, as I find they also work the best in most situations you are likely to come across off road in the UK, since their higher ground pressure will allow them to 'cut down' through the slippery layer of ground to find traction. The widest tyre I will run is a 265/75, at the moment I have 235/85 ST Maxxs and they are absolutely fantastic, along with skinny 7.50 Michelins or Avons on my Series vehicles.

You'll also find tyre pressures will have a huge effect. Many people get confused as to how it helps, thinking it widens the tyres footprint side to side. It does marginally, however the main advantage is that it elongates the tyres footprint for to aft. I'd be willing to bet a lot of these Pay & Play day warriors running round on huge great wide Special Tracks and the likes will be still running at full road pressures as they don't know better! I'm guilty of running my tyres off road on full pressure simply as I can't be bothered to lower them if I'm greenlaning etc, but if you spend the whole day off road it makes a hell of a difference to traction. Pete

2010 Discovery 4 GS TDV6
1972 Series III 88" 2.25P

11th Jun 2016 5:36pm

Alien

Member Since: 18 Jan 2015
Location: Bacchus Marsh
Posts: 230

What tyre preasures where you running and where the driving styles and vehicles similar?

I've got a 91 RRC on Michilen road tyres that can hold its own off road in the dry.
I drop the tyre pressures to 20psi to allow the tyre to get maximum grip.
It has got to places the boys with thier big muddies couldn't get to driving at around 2'000rpm(auto v

.
In the wet however on the clay and rocks over my way it's just has no grip and is often the first rig to fail a climb.

Our Defender has BFG KM2's and off road I drop the pressures to 26psi and find its got better grip in all conditions.
Slow and steady seams to work better, I've found for the Puma under 1500rpm is best and a squeeze of the throttle as the traction control kicks in.

It's all about tyre grip and driving style.
By dropping preasures it allows the side walls flex to maintaining a bigger foot print.
You need to then find the best pace, somewhere above stalling and bellow spining a wheel or two.
With A/T tyres and driven right you will out perform spining mud tyres, it's not always about momentum. Cheers,
Kyle.

11th Jun 2016 5:40pm

boode

Member Since: 11 Apr 2012
Location: Devon
Posts: 434

Depends on conditions - Pic of my 90 on 265 KM2s towing out a stuck 110 on road tyres on Exmoor

Click image to enlarge

11th Jun 2016 8:43pm

Cupboard

Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 2971

Alien wrote:
What tyre preasures where you running and where the driving styles and vehicles similar?

20PSI all round, could have gone lower but I was getting bored letting the air out

and yes I know "fast" tyre deflators exist, they take longer than doing it with my inflator with nothing attached to the back of it.

You do make a good point though, I don't remember seeing anyone else deflating or inflating tyres.

12th Jun 2016 1:01pm

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