I'm Tyred

Hightower · 13 June 2008, 17:48

Hi, was looking at asking some of you guys your advice on what type of AT tyre you might use for a my Kia Sportage light 4x4.

I have a funny wheel size for an offroader type of tyre and my choice seems to be limited to a few makes and types for tread pattern

The recommended tyre size for my car is 205/70/15. I have Michelins on the front (in need of replacing) and Kumho 825's on the rear (with resonable tread left).

All I found was, Goodyear Wrangler AT/R. Kumho 798 (too roadi). Bridgstone Dueller 694 (currently on back order from the States). There were some options to go for a 75 profile but that would involve changing all the tyres.

mdt · 13 June 2008, 18:30

well you can chainge the tyres to a diffrent size just so long as you keep them on a same axle.

so you can chainge the frounts and then when the rears need it also buy the 75's for them

Nos4r2 · 13 June 2008, 18:49

Try 31x10.5 R15 Runway enduro AT. That's what's on my 4x4 and it's around £250 for a set of 4 including fitting. Not remoulds either and a good AT tyre.
Quite high profile though.

jwalker · 13 June 2008, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdt

well you can chainge the tyres to a diffrent size just so long as you keep them on a same axle.

That might work the transfer box a bit hard.

timw · 13 June 2008, 19:07

Kia?! I'd change the car rather than the tyres

Bigmuz7 · 13 June 2008, 19:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by timw

Kia?! I'd change the car rather than the tyres

Well that was truly enlightening

Hightower · 13 June 2008, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by timw

Kia?! I'd change the car rather than the tyres

I'll have you know that it might not win any prizes for the most capable off roader, but is a very nice little 4x4 that in my view punches above it's weight. I've had it nearly five years and has only needed a heater matrix and a pair of shocks that I fitted 2 weeks ago outside of the usual service items. Oh and it tows pretty well too

BogMonster · 13 June 2008, 20:53

General Grabber AT2 if you want an AT, got a set on my Ranger crewcab and they are very good indeed.

http://www.4site4x4.co.uk/tyre-details.aspx?id=6 nearest to your size is 205/75R15

I would not run different sized tyres front to rear on any vehicle apart from as an emergency spare. In theory you would get away with it in a part time 4x4 used only in 2 wheel drive but it is not advisable and definitely not either in 4 wheel drive or on any vehicle with a full time 4x4 transmission e.g. any recent Land Rover model.

mdt · 13 June 2008, 21:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

That might work the transfer box a bit hard.

was talking more about the leagle side of things. besides are these things not part time 4x4 ?

but yep you have a point if it is full time.

Bigmuz7 · 14 June 2008, 07:51

well that was my thought, I didnt think 5mm would make a big difference except when 4wd was engaged,.. and tbh, when it is with some motors, a lot of tyre scrubbing goes on anyway when you turn a corner on newer Isuzus, it feels like someone has put on the parking brake, when on full lock

jwalker · 14 June 2008, 22:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

well that was my thought, I didnt think 5mm would make a big difference except when 4wd was engaged,..

Naaah! It's a tyre section with 5% (10.3mm) difference in section height therefore 20.6mm increase in diameter therefore 20.6 x 3.142 difference in circumference. That's almost 65mm scrub on each wheel revolution! If the transfer case has a differential, viscous coupling or some other clever device, it'll be working full time.

Hightower · 15 June 2008, 08:58

Well my Kia only has two diffs, one front and rear, not on the transfer box like some 4x4's have. So that being the case then two different tyre sizes front to rear would make it work too hard.

Bigmuz7 · 15 June 2008, 09:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

Naaah! It's a tyre section with 5% (10.3mm) difference in section height therefore 20.6mm increase in diameter therefore 20.6 x 3.142 difference in circumference. That's almost 65mm scrub on each wheel revolution! If the transfer case has a differential, viscous coupling or some other clever device, it'll be working full time.

You know I thought there would be some bizarre maths like that, which I casually ignored

jwalker · 15 June 2008, 10:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Well my Kia only has two diffs, one front and rear, not on the transfer box like some 4x4's have. So that being the case then two different tyre sizes front to rear would make it work too hard.

So how does it distribute the drive front and rear?

jwalker · 15 June 2008, 11:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

You know I thought there would be some bizarre maths like that, which I casually ignored

and it's actually worse than that because it's the rolling radius which matters. So I cheated a bit.

Hightower · 15 June 2008, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

So how does it distribute the drive front and rear?

It's got a transfer box, it's just that there's no diff in there.

Hugh Jardon · 15 June 2008, 12:18

if you are thinking of selling then put cheap ones on

if you are going to keep then go for ones reasonably prices, reasonable tread pattern and match the other two. dont go for too big a block pattern if you dont want loads of road noise

i doubt if the makes you have mentioned are really going to make a lot of difference anyway to be honest in terms of handling and grip as i doubt if it is at the limit so to speak

Hightower · 15 June 2008, 12:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jardon

if you are thinking of selling then put cheap ones on

There's a nice Disco down the road and he keeps lowering the price, if only I hadn't had to buy a new trailer

Well I am very limited as I mentioned earlier and have my local tyre fitter pricing up some wrangler AT/R's I would guess they'll be at least £70 each inclusive. But to be honest if I was selling the Kia then I'd have to buy new tyres anyway as the ones on there are very on the limit.

Hugh Jardon · 15 June 2008, 22:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

There's a nice Disco down the road and he keeps lowering the price, if only I hadn't had to buy a new trailer

Well I am very limited as I mentioned earlier and have my local tyre fitter pricing up some wrangler AT/R's I would guess they'll be at least £70 each inclusive. But to be honest if I was selling the Kia then I'd have to buy new tyres anyway as the ones on there are very on the limit.

ive had wranglers before and they were fine, mine had white writing on one side and black letters on the other side

Hightower · 16 June 2008, 18:10

£170 for a pair of Wranglers, does that seem good?