Best expo tyre?

[Christian]

Best expedition tyre?

Hi All

Well the title almost says it all, and then not by a long shot!

A good expedition tyre can be a lot of things, especially dependent on type vehicle it has to sit on.

My problem is finding something for our Volvo TGB13.
I would love to have Michelin 11/R16 but after talking to Michelin I'm a bit dissapointed.

Rumor har it that they stopped production!!!

To keep as many options open as possible I will give you a few facts:

The Volvo is a true 6x6
Total weight is approx. 7,716 lbs

The standard rims are 16", but the right tyre might change that! One of my friends actually recomended that we find some bigger rims to eliminate tyre-flex and unstability.

so I need some expedition worthy tires that resembles 38.5" or close to. We need the tires to as close to 38.5" to get the best gearing for the new diesel engine. The wheelbase between the rear axles is 41" so no larger than 39".

(and before one of you write "try the seach button" I have done it, and I have done it on the swedisah forum, the german, on IH8MUD, pirate etc. And in all the spec sheets by Goodyear, Michelin, ******** Cepek etc.)

I want your input on it because sometimes one gets so set on an idea, like I have on the Michelin XZL's, that it is impossible to see the better option.

Thanks!

 

[jh504]

Funny that this title fits in with the ExPo word thread.:sombrero:

I wish I could give you some advice but I have no experience with a 6x6 type vehicle. My only experience with tires in the 38-39" range is with mud trucks and that is definitely not the kind of tire what you want. I was checking out some 38" Michelin XLs that the Military uses on their large vehicles. They are very cool tires and can be had for an excellent price. http://www.militarytires.com/
Im sure there are some big rig folks on here that have some much better advice than I do.

 

[Christian]

Funny that this title fits in with the ExPo word thread.:sombrero:

Ooops! I changed it to avoid confusion...
Thanks!

 

[M.Bas]

Simex Extreme Trekker - a fantastic tyre off road, average on road
(noisy and fast wear) on a 6x6 the rear tyres will tear up if used too
much on tarmac. Available in standard TGB height and larger -
EXPENSIVE (at least in the UK)

Simex Jungle Trekker - What I've used for 2 years. good on road,
harder wearing and almost as good off road as the ET. Available in
standard TGB height (34.8") - My preferred option

Fedima Sirocco - I had these for 18 months and got rid of them as they
started to delaminate after 12 months and Fedima refused to honour the
warranty. King Off Road in the UK were absolute stars about it and
helped me out. I found the tyres were really good off road and decent
on road as they are remoulds and harder than the Simex (of which they
are a copy). On road, however they killed the gearing as they are 38"
tall. I can't recommend them becuase of the quality issues I had

A quote from the yahoo group.
Choose your tires wisely.

 

[Christian]

Thanks!

I like the 38" gearing. It fits the diesel engine nicely (I hope!)

I have looked at the Simex but they look (I hate myself for saying it) too agressive for expedition use.

 

[Christian]

Still scouring the web...

Is it just me or is it really hard to find relatively narrow tires in the 38" region that fits 16" wheels...?

 

[Christian]

Hey!

This might be something:

Pro Comp Xtreme A/T 38.5/14.50R16

Has anyone any experience with these on an expedition vehicle?

 

[Toy-Roverlander]

If possible I would keep the rim size and tyre size fairly standard. What if u go to russia for instance, or northern africa and seriously slice a tyre, or wreck your rim. Where do you think you're going to get a replacement?
The 900X16 or 1100x16are a fairly standard truck size tyre, they should be easy to get practically everywhere.

Given that size I would look if I could find some Michelin XZL 900x16R's.

They are seriously tough tyres, albeit a bit expensive.

Have a look here:
http://www.aircrafttyres.com/Products and prices tyres.htm

cheers

Koos

 

[M.Bas]

I have found that shop before, it's located in the Netherlands.

I have send them an email about the price of the new Michelin XZL tires.
The 11.00x16 XL tires may be an option. But they don't list prices for those.

 

[Christian]

If possible I would keep the rim size and tyre size fairly standard. What if u go to russia for instance, or northern africa and seriously slice a tyre, or wreck your rim. Where do you think you're going to get a replacement?
The 900X16 or 1100x16are a fairly standard truck size tyre, they should be easy to get practically everywhere.

Given that size I would look if I could find some Michelin XZL 900x16R's.

They are seriously tough tyres, albeit a bit expensive.

Have a look here:
http://www.aircrafttyres.com/Products and prices tyres.htm

cheers

Koos

My dream tire is the XZL 11/16! But hard to come by though...
The reason for going bigger than standard is the diesel engine...

The rims are a one-off for the Volvo TGB series. The bolt pattern is 8 x 222,2mm. So if we bust a rim somewhere besides Sweden its a major problem...

I know about aircrafttyres.com but haven't contacted them yet...
Do you know of any other tires in 11.00R16 size besides Michelin XZL?

 

[Christian]

I have found that shop before, it's located in the Netherlands.

I have send them an email about the price of the new Michelin XZL tires.
The 11.00x16 XL tires may be an option. But they don't list prices for those.

Hey Bas please let me know when you get a quote!

 

[M.Bas]

Hey Bas please let me know when you get a quote!

They also list Michelin XL in 11.00x16.

The qoute will be probaly on tuesday, I don't think they are open in the weekends. And monday almost everything is closed.

 

[charlieaarons]

Your best choices in 16" sound like Michelin 11.00R16 XZL and 325/85R16 XML (requires 8-10" wide rim), both 38.7". Michelin has phased out XL production. By comparison ProComp etc. are weak and have poor load capacity rating. Also think about 335/80R20 XZL, 40.7".

Charlie

 

[Christian]

The problem is finding XZL 11R16...

About the load rating, we plan on max. 3.5 tonnes overall. So we don't have to be concerned about the load rating of the Procomps.

The distance between the rear axles is 105 cm or 41.3" so the XZL 335/80R20 with a diameter of 40.7" will be cutting a bit too close. Although it might keep the thread clean!

The dream tire is the XZL 11.00 R 16 TL, no doubt about it!

 

[charlieaarons]

The problem is finding XZL 11R16...



The dream tire is the XZL 11.00 R 16 TL, no doubt about it!

Being in Europe I'd think it wouldn't be too hard to find since it's currently in production (??)
I have had trouble finding 395/85R20 XZLs over here since they are being soaked up by the US military for their MRAP (mine-protected) vehicles, but I've heard they are easily found in Europe. I have found 4 used ones with 90-95% tread.
What motor and drivetrain does your Volvo have?

Charlie