So I have been doing the rounds and testing tyres... picking them up for weight and discussing sidewall strengths etc. etc.

Without getting into Bias Ply or Full Steel Belted, it seems that the toughest choices available are the Toyo/Nitto tyre, for what I am looking for.

Today I was able to price Toyo MT's at $310ea and the Nitto at $300ea (285/75 R16), which for Cairns I think is fairly reasonable. No doubt you guys in the South could do a better deal.

The BFG MT's came in at $345ea and the AT's were about the same. I haven't chased prices on anything else, as most of the tyre dealers who seemed to know their salt agreed that the Toyo/Nitto was possibly one of the toughest in the game.

I'll keep playing around with sourcing info for a bit longer and then make a decision.