Best expo tyre?
- Thread starter Christian
- Start date
That's true! Only thing is I don't have the money for it... right now nor any time soon...
And there's lots of other things that need to be bought for our project... If I had a gazillion tons of pure gold I would build the sweetest expedition truck:
Titanium frame
Carbon fibr...
:drool:
Lets just stop it there!
And there's lots of other things that need to be bought for our project... If I had a gazillion tons of pure gold I would build the sweetest expedition truck:
Titanium frame
Carbon fibr...
:drool:
Lets just stop it there!
I started considering Unimog rims, if they could be rebuildt to suit the Volvo bolt pattern and by pure luck I found a place that can make any rim from 16" to 20" I want!
So now the question is if it would'nt be better to use 20" wheels for an expedition vehicle, less rubber means less "bouncing", and more availiable tire such as the Continental MPT 81
So now the question is if it would'nt be better to use 20" wheels for an expedition vehicle, less rubber means less "bouncing", and more availiable tire such as the Continental MPT 81
charlieaarons
Explorer
I would only go to 20" rims if you need the larger sizes like 335/80R20 (40.7"), which has marginally more load capacity than 11.00R16 XZL (5150kg/axle vs. 4360kg). The shorter sidewall means a rougher ride over rocks. You're not cornering at 0.8g in a Porsche.
For a given height tire a shorter sidewall means a smaller air chamber which means higher psi for the same load.
Charlie
For a given height tire a shorter sidewall means a smaller air chamber which means higher psi for the same load.
Charlie
LOOOL I like the Porsche analogy!
Well the 335/80R20 might be a bit too big, it would only leave 16 mm's or 0.6 inches between the tires of the rear axles... What I was thinking was the 10.5R20, or in metric 275/80R20, might be a good option. They have a desent sidewall but might be more stable sideways on a tall and narrow truck.
I'm still exploring the opportunities... And anything between 37" and 39" might work.
I have looked at:
Pro-comp
Maxxis
BFG
Cooper
Toyo
etc.
And of course Michelin, which still seems like the best option...
The Continental MPT81 might be just as good though, but only on 20" rims
Well the 335/80R20 might be a bit too big, it would only leave 16 mm's or 0.6 inches between the tires of the rear axles... What I was thinking was the 10.5R20, or in metric 275/80R20, might be a good option. They have a desent sidewall but might be more stable sideways on a tall and narrow truck.
I'm still exploring the opportunities... And anything between 37" and 39" might work.
I have looked at:
Pro-comp
Maxxis
BFG
Cooper
Toyo
etc.
And of course Michelin, which still seems like the best option...
The Continental MPT81 might be just as good though, but only on 20" rims
charlieaarons
Explorer
275s have a load capacity of 3600kg/axle, 255/100R16 XZLs are 4240kg/axle. Of course in a 6X6 load capacity isn't a big worry.
If you already have 16" wheels in my mind the decision is simple: get the 255s.
Charlie
If you already have 16" wheels in my mind the decision is simple: get the 255s.
Charlie
Last edited:
Load capacity is not an issue. We plan on a GVW on 3,500 kgs.
But gearing is, that's why I would prefer the 11.00R16 over the 255/100R16
But I found a lot of info on the 255/100R16 that might be handy to others:
Michelin reference 110650
Unique point 134/128 J
Nominal load per axle - single fitment (kg) 3400
Nominal load per axle - twinned fitment (kg) 6400
Nominal pressure in bars (single fitment) 4.50
Nominal pressure in bars (twinned fitment) 4.50
Nominal pressure in bars (unique point) 5.75
Wheel recommended 6.50H
ETRTO section (mm) 260
ETRTO diameter (mm) 936
Free section (mm) 255
Free diameter (mm) 923
Crushed section (mm) 286
Crushed radius (mm) 426
Rolling circumference (mm) 2798
Minimum distance between axle centres (mm) 288
Tread depth (mm) 16.5
Regrooving depth (mm)
Weight in kg 39.90
Tube
Flap
Sealing ring
Regulation 54 007700
ETRTO approved rims 6.50H
Still they are only 36" tires... And the original Trelleborgs are 34" Not much advantage there...
The 11.00 are hard to find! Michelin here can't help and I even heard a rumour that they've stopped making them.
As far as I know 20" expedition style tyres are easy to find?
But gearing is, that's why I would prefer the 11.00R16 over the 255/100R16
But I found a lot of info on the 255/100R16 that might be handy to others:
Michelin reference 110650
Unique point 134/128 J
Nominal load per axle - single fitment (kg) 3400
Nominal load per axle - twinned fitment (kg) 6400
Nominal pressure in bars (single fitment) 4.50
Nominal pressure in bars (twinned fitment) 4.50
Nominal pressure in bars (unique point) 5.75
Wheel recommended 6.50H
ETRTO section (mm) 260
ETRTO diameter (mm) 936
Free section (mm) 255
Free diameter (mm) 923
Crushed section (mm) 286
Crushed radius (mm) 426
Rolling circumference (mm) 2798
Minimum distance between axle centres (mm) 288
Tread depth (mm) 16.5
Regrooving depth (mm)
Weight in kg 39.90
Tube
Flap
Sealing ring
Regulation 54 007700
ETRTO approved rims 6.50H
Still they are only 36" tires... And the original Trelleborgs are 34" Not much advantage there...
The 11.00 are hard to find! Michelin here can't help and I even heard a rumour that they've stopped making them.
As far as I know 20" expedition style tyres are easy to find?
M.Bas
Adventurer
Even Dunlop has some nice tires in 20" but then width/height might become an issue. Not sure if they are expedition proof but they centainly look nice
Rating to 100km/h possible in the size 335/80 R20 (12.50R20) doesn't leave much room between the rear axles.
Available in 12.00R20 (a little smaller then the first? )
Exactly!
Bump!
Just in case somebody hase the perfect idea.
A brief sum up:
I need expedition worthy tyres!
Needs:
Options for now:
Michelin XZL 11.00/R16
Perfect size. Maybe a bit heavy. Unfortunately these seems to be located on a shelf just next to the remaining stock of unobtainium...
Continental MPT 81 10.5R20 Well unimog wheels... This means new rims have to be made! And they mighht not flex "enough" Eventhough I dod not know how much flex is needed on an expedition vehicle.
Iu have also considered Pro Comp Xtreme A/T 38.5/14.50R16 It looks good but it seems that its not a popular tyre and that it might have some quality issues.
Please let me hear if any of you have other ideas!
Just in case somebody hase the perfect idea.
A brief sum up:
I need expedition worthy tyres!
Needs:
- Original rims are 16"
- Other rims have to be specially made. No aftermarket rims availiable
- GVW will be around 3,500Kgs distributed on six wheels
- Tyres must be between 37" and 38,5" in diameter to suit diesel engine
Options for now:
Michelin XZL 11.00/R16
Perfect size. Maybe a bit heavy. Unfortunately these seems to be located on a shelf just next to the remaining stock of unobtainium...
Continental MPT 81 10.5R20 Well unimog wheels... This means new rims have to be made! And they mighht not flex "enough" Eventhough I dod not know how much flex is needed on an expedition vehicle.
Iu have also considered Pro Comp Xtreme A/T 38.5/14.50R16 It looks good but it seems that its not a popular tyre and that it might have some quality issues.
Please let me hear if any of you have other ideas!
charlieaarons
Explorer
2 more (Michelin) ideas:
275/80R20 XZL 37.0" equivalent to 10.5R20
325/85R16 XML 38.7" A bit wide for 6 or 7" wide rim, designed for 8-9" rim; but they have been successfully installed on narrower rims. I know these are readily available, at least in North America (we get less variety in Michelin military tires than Europe; for example 7.50R16 XZL is never seen here, and my 395/85R20 XZLs are hard but not impossible to find), in the slightly used state from surplus dealers.
The 325s (55kg) would be my second choice after the 11.00s(49kg). I have trouble believing that a European Michelin dealer can't come up with the 11.00s, but maybe so...
The 325s have a footprint only 4% bigger than the 11.00s. They do have a 100kph speed rating, but with your tiny load you could add 5 psi and safely go faster I am sure.
Charlie
275/80R20 XZL 37.0" equivalent to 10.5R20
325/85R16 XML 38.7" A bit wide for 6 or 7" wide rim, designed for 8-9" rim; but they have been successfully installed on narrower rims. I know these are readily available, at least in North America (we get less variety in Michelin military tires than Europe; for example 7.50R16 XZL is never seen here, and my 395/85R20 XZLs are hard but not impossible to find), in the slightly used state from surplus dealers.
The 325s (55kg) would be my second choice after the 11.00s(49kg). I have trouble believing that a European Michelin dealer can't come up with the 11.00s, but maybe so...
The 325s have a footprint only 4% bigger than the 11.00s. They do have a 100kph speed rating, but with your tiny load you could add 5 psi and safely go faster I am sure.
Charlie
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