265/65/16 on the Bonnet

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For what it is worth, I'd go for the larger size, mainly as the bigger tyre will take more punishment than the smaller one, and will also give a more comfortable ride over rough ground. Also better on sand.

When we go abroad, we take two spares for the vehicle and two for the trailer, good insurance and never needed yet, although we did blow a van engine in Spain on one of the trips!

Peter
 
Hi , I have driven for more years than I care to remember, with a 235/85 on a 110, and 265/75 on a 130 . In Europe, Australia and elsewhere, vis is not a problem , depending a bit on if you are vertically challenged. The only time a take tyre off bonnet is when snow plough fitted , as you need to see a bit closer to vehicle. I have not been able to detect any appreciable difference on sand between the two sizes. The 235 has a higher load rating , in BFG MT which is what I always use. I also always run with two spares. I have full tyre changing and repair capabilities . I carry one tube and a piece of conveyor belt that is shaved at edges to act as a sleeve . Its not thru experience that I carry this , as only two punc that I can evr remember having in last 20 yrs . But its sods law that when you are not prepared that you need it . I have 285/75r 16 on bonnet at mo, but run with it deflated and bolted down hard so that it is the same height as 265 , but I reckon thats about the limit . HTSH :)

p.s. Land rover found in tests that vehicle is more aerodynamic with spare wheel on bonnet
 
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tacr2man said:
Hi , I have driven for more years than I care to remember, with a 235/85 on a 110, and 265/75 on a 130 . In Europe, Australia and elsewhere, vis is not a problem , depending a bit on if you are vertically challenged. The only time a take tyre off bonnet is when snow plough fitted , as you need to see a bit closer to vehicle. I have not been able to detect any appreciable difference on sand between the two sizes. The 235 has a higher load rating , in BFG MT which is what I always use. I also always run with two spares. I have full tyre changing and repair capabilities . I carry one tube and a piece of conveyor belt that is shaved at edges to act as a sleeve . Its not thru experience that I carry this , as only two punc that I can evr remember having in last 20 yrs . But its sods law that when you are not prepared that you need it . I have 285/75r 16 on bonnet at mo, but run with it deflated and bolted down hard so that it is the same height as 265 , but I reckon thats about the limit . HTSH :)

p.s. Land rover found in tests that vehicle is more aerodynamic with spare wheel on bonnet
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Hey Hey, some useful advice, thank you ;)
 
p.s. Land rover found in tests that vehicle is more aerodynamic with spare wheel on bonnet
Click to expand...

Any links to information for that? Would be interesting if that is true!

Cause I'm still swaying between 235 or 265 for my Africa trip. If you have done atually done the Africa trip your views on tyre sizes is appreciated.
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I don't really see what advantage a 265 tyre on a relatively small vehicle will achieve in Africa. Some may argue wider tyre will be better in sand. I dont have extensive knowledge of Africa - have only been in sand in Tunisia and Algeria in Africa (spent quite a few thousand miles in Kazakhstan/Mongolia as well though)... from what I saw none of the locals have big tyres - if they think they might struggle a bit in the deep stuff (or if they want to go for a play in the dunes!) they lower the tyre pressure a bit. Infact lowering tyre pressure (we went down to about 20PSI) makes the sand almost effortless in comparison and saves a lot on fuel. Of course you can't have low pressure it if you have the nice random rock and sand combo.

I go for 2 spares as I like the idea of a quick change.
 
rustyrhinos said:
I don't really see what advantage a 265 tyre on a relatively small vehicle will achieve in Africa.
I go for 2 spares as I like the idea of a quick change.
Click to expand...

Thank Rusty, that ties in with what tacr2man said, altough it sounds logical that wider tyres would be better in sand, it seems there is no actual benifit, which is great cause with 235's I can see more, plus they are lighter, and that should keep the "keep it light" Nazi's at least a little bit happier :D
 
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I have 235/75 R16 BF Goodrich. One on the back one on the bonnet.

Tires are awesome. 10,000km of Africa on two four year old and two three year old BF's - no puntures.

11,000km more of Africa (and counting) having replaced the four year olds for new on the front and no puntures.

If I was doing it again I'd stump up the cash for a twin swing and stick em both on the back but it was £800 more and I wanted to leave.

One tip - if you put one on the bonnet reinforce/renew the bonnet stand clip - it's under loads of extra weight obviously. Also bear in mind it's f-ing heavy to lift.

Two tips - Make sure you have a wheel cover for the one on the front (I had to cut the centre out of mine as it ballooned all the time) the rubber will degrade quickly in direct sunlight.

d
 
Rhubarb said:
I have 235/75 R16 BF Goodrich. One on the back one on the bonnet.

Tires are awesome. 10,000km of Africa on two four year old and two three year old BF's - no puntures.

11,000km more of Africa (and counting) having replaced the four year olds for new on the front and no puntures.

If I was doing it again I'd stump up the cash for a twin swing and stick em both on the back but it was £800 more and I wanted to leave.

One tip - if you put one on the bonnet reinforce/renew the bonnet stand clip - it's under loads of extra weight obviously. Also bear in mind it's f-ing heavy to lift.

Two tips - Make sure you have a wheel cover for the one on the front (I had to cut the centre out of mine as it ballooned all the time) the rubber will degrade quickly in direct sunlight.

d
Click to expand...


Thanks for the advice, I've already forked out for a damn expensive Mantec single carrier for the back, as the cheaper carriers don't fit on the MOD land rovers, so that boat has sailed. But I'm not too upset, as the landy looks much sexier with a wheel on the bonnet :D

Will check out the bonnet stand, I'm hoping as mine is ex MOD, and supposed to have a wheel on the bonnet, it already has a beefy one, but I guess I won't know till I look at a standard landy.

and will def get a wheel cover ;)
 
Griffdowg said:
That will add a lot to the rear axle weight which is allready having a tough time on a 90.

G
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Hey Griff,

Just checked out your website, you have a pretty extensive kit list, can't see myself wanting to take more than that.

Your list says you have a winch and wolf wheels, I had you pegged as very anti winch :D

Do you stll have the winch ?

now that have done some trips will you leave it behind in the future ?

and do you think the wolf wheels are worth the extra 5kg per wheel, considering you can do a fair amount of bashing straight on a regular steel ?

Sorry for all the questions but someone made me paranoid about my vehicle weight, and I'm double thinking everything :D
 
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