Nuccaleena

Tyres and Tyre Pressure Part 2.

Tyres

Now what about tyres themselves? Well we always recommend tyres that are legal for a start, so always check with both your insurance company and local motor registration organization to ensure your tyres are legal wherever you live. We do recognize that some places actually get rain and mud, something we rarely see in any quantity in South Australia. Where drivers are continually operating in muddy and rocky conditions a mud terrain and/or heavier duty tyre can be very useful. The drawback with mud terrain (MT) tyres is that the ones we have seen in use tend to be very noisy. If your 4WD is only used for trips and not as your daily vehicle, then this can be an acceptable option. We use our 4WDs every day and to do a lot of bitumen travel before we hit the dirt so a compromise tyre is always our preferred option. One thing we can promise is that when a MT tyre fills up with mud, it offers about the same amount of traction as any other mud filled tyre.

So our preference is for an all terrain tyre (AT) and over many years we have settled on Bridgestone and their D693 and then D694 tyres. Some may consider these too light-weight but the facts are that our lead vehicle weighs 2950 kgs when ready for a two week Simpson trip so it is right on its legal limit. We adhere to our lower tyre pressure and lower speed philosophy and have only experienced two punctures in ten years of remote area travel and both of them were my fault. As another example and to contribute to this never-ending debate, we helped prepare two couples and their vehicles for a three month trip to the Kimberley and they ended up traveling over 3000km off bitumen. The Prado was running D694 and the Troopie was running the toughest tyre we know of, a Bridgestone D661 which is a tyre used in the mining and quarry industry and has a sidewall around 12mm thick. It also weighs one heck of a lot which makes them difficult to handle and repair and that extra weight is an added drain on fuel consumption. Both vehicles traveled the same tracks and followed our guidance. Neither had a puncture or any tyre problems at all and yet they witnessed plenty of other travellers having problems on the same roads they were on. We are planning on heading to Tasmania for a look at their 4WD tracks and we will be definitely fitting a set of mud terrain tyres for this trip.

A few things to consider

• The heavier the tyre the greater its impact on fuel consumption. This is more important if your 4WD is used every day. If it sits in the shed waiting for an adventure then this is not a problem.
• The heavier the tyre the harder it is to get off a rim, repair and then reseat on the rim, something rather important if you have to do it yourself.
• Sometimes two sets of tyres is an option but you will need to weigh up the costs.
• Six tyres and rims are always better than five on any remote area trip. We have seen folk with multiple punctures even in the Flinders Ranges so always go well prepared. We always recommend carrying a suitable tube as an emergency backup.
• A good quality puncture repair kit is a must. We recommend the Rema Tip-Top range of products for value and quality
• Tyre changing gear depends on your personal needs. We recommend experimenting with both versions available on the Australian market. We carry both as each has their own specific benefits depending on the type of tyre and the situation.
• Before leaving home get out the owner’s manual and practise a tyre change. It might sound simple but I can assure you there are plenty of risks involved with doing a tyre change on a fully loaded 4WD on a remote track. Knowing where the jacking points are is an important start.
• Remember never rush a recovery and this includes a tyre change. There are plenty of things to do and consider.
• In your tyre changing equipment you should have the following items:
  • A decent base plate.
  • Recovery gloves. Remember the tyre will be very hot and possibly have lots of wire hanging out of it.
  • Something to put the wheel nuts in. Why? Well if you drop then into mud/sand/etc you have just created another challenge that could possibly ruin your holiday.
  • Locking nuts. If you have them on your wheels make sure you have the key to them in the vehicle. Or consider swapping back to normal wheel nuts for the trip.
• Risk management issues:
  • Never, I repeat Never use a hi-lift or exhaust jack to do a tyre change. They are extremely unstable when lifting a vehicle and despite their name are not for tyre changes.
  • Get the vehicle to as safe and level a spot as you can to change the tyre. If the tyre’s stuffed another 25 meters or so makes no difference to anything except your safety.
  • When changing a tyre make sure of the following:

§ Everyone is out of the vehicle and at a safe distance. You don’t need distractions.

§ The vehicle is secure; engine off, handbrake on, in gear/park (we recommend low range), and as a minimum the wheel diagonally opposite the one you are going to change is chocked.

§ Don’t rush. A tyre change is pretty straight forward but only when done correctly.

§ All vital safety matters when you are dealing with a fully loaded 4WD and one perhaps located on a loose surface where it may slide on the jack.

§ Once the wheel change is done and everything is re-stowed, make sure you recheck the wheel nut tension a few kilometres up the road.

Tyres are a very personal choice and we recognise that. There are lots of excellent products available in Australia and all are very well priced. Our messages are simple:

• Check your tyres regularly when travelling. A quick walk around the vehicle at each rest break is a sound idea, regardless of where you are. Make sure you check the inside face of the tyre for condition as well.
• Lower your tyre pressures and speed to suit the terrain. It’s easier on the vehicle its occupants and the environment.
• The minimum tread depth we specify for a trip is 8mm. Anything less makes the tyre much more puncture prone in our experience
• Make sure you have the equipment, knowledge and skills to carry out a safe tyre change and practise it in the safety of your garage before leaving on your trip.
• If you have to change a tyre then safety first always
• Make sure you also know how to use your tyre repair equipment if you have purchased/hired any. I can assure you after you have done a couple of tyre changes and repairs it is not the sort of thing you want to finish a day off doing. I much prefer a cold drink and a snack at beer o’clock thanks.
• There is no such thing as a puncture proof tyre!

Rob Ackland, RED EARTH EXPEDITIONS