Another LR3 tire question

[scot zimmerman]

In November of this last year I put a set of 265/65/18's Cooper AT/3's on my 08 LR3. They are not E rated in that size but I thought I might get by as they were rated so highly in the tire test in the O/J. Coming back home yesterday on the highway, I had one fail. I had been doing some light dirt road driving in Moab ( Potash road out to Musselman arch and back up the Schafer Trail ) at full highway pressures. My tire dealer tells me I can't replace the one that failed ( failed in the tread -when they aired it up it "bulged too far"). They say that because of tread wear difference I'll need to buy 2 tires for around $450 so they match size on the axle.

So my questions
a. is that true- do I need 2 that match as the old tires probably have only 20,000 on them?
b. Did I make a mistake with the usually heavy LR3 ( ARB bumper, roof rack, fridge and all the other stuff its always loaded with) by not getting E rated tires
c. in that size 265/65/18 should I just bite the bullet and go to the E rated BF KO2's? I had the earlier BFG's on my old disco 2 and was quite happy with them.
d. having the little space saver spare under the rear bumper is indeed a pain. Has anyone tried the Front runner spare tire carrier for the LR3/4?

 

[jhawk]

Yes, it's recommended to replace the tires in pairs. When I had bad ones replaced they would measure tread depth to determine if I would need two.

I just went through this with Copper ATP's. I went through five in about an eight month period. Luckily I had the Discount warranty, but it got old. Finally the last time an ATP went out I replaced them all with KO2's. I could not be happier, and should have went BFG from the get go.

I carry a full size spare strapped down to the factory tie downs in the back.


Jim

 

[scot zimmerman]

Thanks for the info- I'm off to price a new set of BFG's

 

[dsm02c]

I ended up with the KO2, they are great, but check how much balance weight is inside each wheel when you are getting ready to leave, I have 1 that has several ounces on it, I have seen other people have the same issue, too bad I figured this out after 3k miles...

 

[scot zimmerman]

What's the issue w / lots of extra balance weights? I assume they're heavy tires- does a lot of balance weights effect handling or wear?

 

[DVD]

fyi I bought a set of bfg ko2's at costco a month or so ago. They had a Michelin $75 off sale and applied that to the BFGs. It seems those Michelin sales come around frequently.

 

[scot zimmerman]

Thanks- great tip- I'm off to Costco ( or as they say here in Utah Costco's).

 

[Silmarillion]

So if I'm on 19" ('06 LR3 HSE) am I out of luck on the BFGs? Are there many AT tires that fit those rims.

Just got the Front Runner rack - haven't gotten any wheel carrying accessories though. (just a bottle opener so far )

 

[Ray_G]

So if I'm on 19" ('06 LR3 HSE) am I out of luck on the BFGs? Are there many AT tires that fit those rims.

Just got the Front Runner rack - haven't gotten any wheel carrying accessories though. (just a bottle opener so far )

Here you go: http://johnsonrods.com/johnson_rods_2_004.htm

I have no affiliation with johnson rods nor do I own their product, but the link is a good resource.

 

[Jwestpro]

I ended up with the KO2, they are great, but check how much balance weight is inside each wheel when you are getting ready to leave, I have 1 that has several ounces on it, I have seen other people have the same issue, too bad I figured this out after 3k miles...

What's to "figure out" ? If they're balanced, they're fine. Do you even know how many "ounces" ? The shops are being forced to use aluminum weights now which are much bulkier so it will look like a lot more than it used to.

 

[Jwestpro]

So if I'm on 19" ('06 LR3 HSE) am I out of luck on the BFGs? Are there many AT tires that fit those rims.

Just got the Front Runner rack - haven't gotten any wheel carrying accessories though. (just a bottle opener so far )

Yes, you are basically out of luck. I bet there isn't a single 19" tire available in the US that is actually suitable for off road use with the extra weight you have. There was a Goodyear but I wouldn't call it ideal for lots of highway driving to off road destinations and it was very expensive and wouldn't last nearly as long as the BFG AT KO.

There are some decent 19" winter tires though so if you have any need for a separate winter wheel and tire set, then buy some 18's and choose from several good tire options.

 

[Jwestpro]

So my questions
a. is that true- do I need 2 that match as the old tires probably have only 20,000 on them?
b. Did I make a mistake with the usually heavy LR3 ( ARB bumper, roof rack, fridge and all the other stuff its always loaded with) by not getting E rated tires
c. in that size 265/65/18 should I just bite the bullet and go to the E rated BF KO2's? I had the earlier BFG's on my old disco 2 and was quite happy with them.
d. having the little space saver spare under the rear bumper is indeed a pain. Has anyone tried the Front runner spare tire carrier for the LR3/4?

a. yes, it's true. Same goes for other AWD cars like an Audi Quattro or BMW xdrive, etc. Worse yet, some awd cars cannot have but a few % difference front to rear. If you spend a few minutes thinking about what happens when a tire on one side is larger than the other, while you try to drive straight, you'll realize it's not going to work well with things turning at different rpm.

b. yes obviously you **************** What's "full highway pressure" to you? I run 52 psi on the highway but my lr3 is much heavier than yours. I'd roll that down a gravel road if it wasn't going to be too long but usually I'll drop them to 45 ish for general gravel roads, 40 for rougher or a long day, 35 for actual "trails". Even my "highway" tires are E load range Michelin M/S 2 and I dropped them to 45 last week for a few hours gravel drive to a hiking spot on the PCT. Much nicer than 52 psi but the 52-54 is perfect for towing.

c. I don't see the "bullet". Just put the appropriate equipment on the vehicle for your uses. They are not that expensive and if you want to get all into the cost/value analysis, the BFG would probably last an appreciable % longer than the Cooper you tried. I got over 60,000 miles out of my last set that were pulled off simply because I wanted to go larger and they were 5 or 6 years old but still had about 1/4" depth. A few times mid-wear-life it can be a good idea to have any tires used on independent suspension vehicles "flipped". This will really maximize the wear life by evening out the edge wear due to the harsh rear camber. Performance tires too often have an asymmetric tread which can't be flipped but symmetric directional can be flipped. The BFG can obviously be flipped and is a good idea once in a while.

d. Um, if you're running an oversized tire, then the space saver is useless anyway. The 265/65x18 will fit in there just fine. While the factory procedure for removing the spare is annoying, it does place that heavy weight as low as possible (~75 lbs for a factory 18" and BFG AT KO). There are ways to make removing the spare quicker and without flipping the 3rd row seats up or removing cargo. Someone in EP has surely tried the FR tire carrier. I have had the Kaymar since first month of ownership in 2007, just over 8 years now and also enjoy having the jerry can holder. It sometimes now carries 4 gallons H2o in 2 RotoPax that nest tight and fit perfectly. 2 gallons per container.

About new tires, if you get into snow much, consider going to a shop that can add additional "sipes" to them. Discount Tire in the northern locations will know about it. It will help with snow and ice traction, specifically the braking traction was improved in my experience.

 

[scot zimmerman]

Cool! Thanks for all your answers- It really helped. Truthfully, I knew I'de bought the wrong tires when I did it. E rated BFG's it is-

 

[Jwestpro]

They aren't for everyone but I've read good reports by users of the Nokian Rotiva too. 275/65x18. Looks pretty much like their version of a tough E load AT tire.

 

[Silmarillion]

Yes, you are basically out of luck. I bet there isn't a single 19" tire available in the US that is actually suitable for off road use with the extra weight you have. There was a Goodyear but I wouldn't call it ideal for lots of highway driving to off road destinations and it was very expensive and wouldn't last nearly as long as the BFG AT KO.

There are some decent 19" winter tires though so if you have any need for a separate winter wheel and tire set, then buy some 18's and choose from several good tire options.

Bummmmer.

What do you mean the extra weight? The weight of the material in the extra 1" of wheel? I'm an offroading/overlanding newb...hope to learn it all though!