RTV Trial tips and advice

Go for it.you'll get the bug even after the first time.winch bumpers seem a grey area.but from what ive heard at local club level they dont mind them. Aim of the game is fun and it is.

I hate to get into a tyre discussion.but from a trialing point of view I'll ask anyway.Im looking at a set of 750x16 kingpin highlander's the size is good and price isn't bad.what do you guys think of the tread? if I did go down the speical track route what size would be best. Can you explain how this offset works aswell please,is a higher or lower offset better?

MP5, I personally like those 750 kingpin highlanders or as I call them diamonds,

Tyres direct do them:

7.50R16 106/108L Kingpin Highlander Tyres order online from Tyres Direct

I'm not 100% but one brand had this exact pattern (maybe kingpin) They were THE tyre perfect for aro trials IMO they were bang on 33 inches tall when measured, they side walls were very protected outter ribbing but very very flexible and run well at 12psi on the ccv motors and indeed at 22psi for Rtv's I'm sure kingpin was the ones.


If I was to buy new tyres I would buy kingpins no doubt about that.


Offset what yor looking for ideally for trials is maximum stering lock without the tyres rubbing. You can gain more lock before they rub by offsetting the tyre outwards on the rim. Some people use spacers but that is another thing to fail. AROC clubs allow a maximum of 4 inches or 102mm from the naive plate (the face that bolts to the wheel hub) and the outter edge of the rim.

Check out B7 section below:

Section B


For all AROC Regs check out:

ALRC Supplementary Competition Regulations


Not sure what club your trialling with AROC are by far the most strict to keep things closly matched if you follow their regs you won't go far wrong. Other clubs you can get advantages by doing extra mods but as said follow the aroc regs you will fall well within most clubs regulations.

My reasoning for the kingpins over the Fedima's I'm yet to see a 33 inch tall skinny insa tirbo special track. I like the skinny tyres over wide ones as you can keep a nice steering lock and have a tall tyre.

Spot on.on ebay theres s place doing 4 for 330 quid.defo going to get a set when pay day comes.my disco's only good for local regs as its lifted and with a winch bumper. Thank for explaining offset I wasn't sure which way to go. Im just going to get a set of steels for the new tyres just for cheapness.

No problem with winch bumpers if they give no advantage then most clubs allow so you will be fine!!

Ebay is probably tyres direct they are down the road from
me they have upset many tyre places selling tyres so cheap.

Use Steel wheels if you damage one they are cheap you can hammer them out and have less chance of fracturing unlike alloys that will fracture loose pressure and there is bugger all you can do with an alloy. Plus with steel there are lots of options.

If you have a modified motor and want to trial the Awdc are good but you will learn which mods were worthwhile and which were and expensive mistake (usually expensive strong as springs in lift kits). Many a noobie has turned up to be beaten by an old hand in a much less capable looking vehicle to those impressed by a look of a vehicle.

Mp5 aroc have allowed winch bumpers if they give no advantage of approach angle over std. Depending how much of a lift you have you may still be allowed to
Play. The nationals is always a laugh next year is souh Wales will as always be a fun friendly affair. You never seen so many competitive dads when they wheel out the kiddies bike trial. It's like everyone is fighting for their family's honour!

But tis all in good spirits

Im looking at getting some cranked rear trailing arms as my rear bushes are on the way out. Is there such thing as alrc rated trailing arms?

ALthough I cant see right now where you would fail alrc regs.

Check out section A.5.2,
Although the design is different so this will not really comply as they are cranked.

section C5. Suspension

Off the top of my head it would be the use of non rover parts and not in the spirit of the event. They may allow you to compete but in a modified class. Check with the club your with with the scruteneer. The worst thing would be to turn up to say the nationals and they tell you to go home or put you in a modified class.

I was always under the impression cranked arms were banned to be honest

That was quick. Thank you. Just been scrolling through the regs. Your correct it says any type of suspention can be used as long as its standard land rover. I might just go with caster correction bushes. This is a proper mine field for anyone starting out. Im half tempted just to buy another disco and get the grinder out and put some deasent tyres on and start again.

Depends what you want. You can do alot in a std ish motor (alot more than people believe on Here and other forums).

Disco wise for trialing to alrc regs i'd not do too much tbh.

I'd look at getting some diamond/amazon pattern tyres 205 or as big as possible without fouling or wrecking the body.

Re bush the whole vehicle with standard metalistic bushes this is not a bad idea anyway because its a good idea to do this anyway.

I'd go for a set of softer springs all round and plus 2 inch shocks if I was plush. Note shocks are 2 inches longer. No need to move or change mounts 2 inch longer shocks will still work perfectly with std bump stops they will top out after the axle hits the bump stop and will allow 2 inch furthur droop at the shock mount so probably 3-4 inched at the hub.

Remove the tow hitch and replace with a ball or nato hitch at bumper level (lots of strengthening req)

wind in steering stops and that would be it really.

Drive and enjoy. by far the greatest modification is driver experience. Its free and will be your best asset. This very thing experience seems to be a thing of the past all these youngsters want a challenge truck and are very unexperienced drivers and it shows up.

Basic offroad driving skills missing not been taught and a half decent trials driver will **** all over them motor for motor.


No need for anything else. RTV is turn up play & drive home. Its been said that its got harder over the years. Well I don't believe that it has got much harder only that technology has moved on and the old boys are moaning. Even back when I was younger they had a family vehicle trial which was sort of what tyro is nowdays. Rtv was always non damaging but you could cock it up and end up with a dent or two. CCV now is quite restricted as to what you can modify and they are still very capable go anywhere motors. Would beat half the poor challenge truck/winch tray back due to their light weight.


Unfortunatly the only way is to get out there and take part when you can these youngsters don't recognise this as important you cant buy experience.


If anyone doubts this check out old boy Ted in the AWDC he out drives everyone!! Ted must be in his 70's has been driving for more than 50 years and beating him is ultra hard and very rare!

Very sound advice. After priceing up new standard bushes compaired with new arms and super duper kriptonite covered bushes its a no brainer. I'll stick with standard.

Like the idea of softer springs and +2 inch shocks. What's good for a 90?

Really got to think what it's for softer is better offroad trials but can be awful on the road it's a compromise you need to decide what's would suit.

There insa land rover spring spec online to choose springs from any plus 2 inch shock should work.

When you walk a section look for the traps, good COC's hide them. Look at the obvious line and where the COC is trying to send you. when I lay out I will try and put you on a line that will put you wrong a couple of gates latter, I will peg out wide gates but in reality the course is narrow and the easy route will be the wrong route or I will tighten things up to slow you down when you need some momentum, I will find a piece of ground that can't be driven from a certain angle and speed and try and lead you in at that angle and speed. walk the section heads up and you can be one of the ground appreciation boys.

Happy to compromise as its a weekend plaything that's only really used for RTV.

Who makes good soft springs for a 90 that are standard height? Everywhere I look seem to be +2 inch.

Thanks for the tips Owl!

Just did a bit more searching, range rover red/whites? Any good?

Red whites are What I used to
Use and usually advise to run but you might want to go softer and not so tall if it's an out and out RTV motor

Hi Jai

I hadn't appreciated the red whites would lift it. Do want to keep to something close to standard height. Softer the better. Any recommendations based on that. It is an rtv motor, doesn't really get much more use than that other than when it snows etc