Load rating 126 all terrain recommendation

[PeeBee]

I picked up another set of the GU factory 17" alloys so I could fit them out with a set of all terrains. . 4 of the tires are shagged, but the 5th is a brand spanking BFG Mud terrain KM2, never been on the road - made the $250 purchase price even more attractive.

The Kumho's (i run these now) are load and speed rated at 122/118R, however I want a higher load rating for longer duration touring, something around the 126 rating, but can only find a BFG All terrain listed, circa $550 - $600 a corner. I am not concerned about the cost, more the construction and load rating.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Tire size i am looking for is 285/70/17 LT construction

https://www.bobjane.com.au/a/285-70r17-tyres/bfgoodrich-tires/bfgoodrich-tires-hd-terrain-t-a-kt-285-70r17-126-123q/36179?variant_id=39132

Can purchase as low as $500 a corner it seems

https://www.ozzytyres.com.au/tyres/amp-mud-terrain-attack-285-70r17-126q

[PeeBee]

Ok, two threads evaporated tonight, again. Am I to assume it's a system issue when the 10yr trip remains in play or a MOD deciding the posts are not worth the content, simple honest answer will be appreciated. Happy to go silent like a large number of members if that the message.

[Plasnart]

I would be astounded if you’re getting modded PB. In fact it’s almost incomprehensible that would be true. The forum is pretty clunky at the moment.

Anyway, I think you’re over-engineering with a 126 load rating mate. That’s friggin high at 1700kg from a quick Bob Jane lookup.

I always ran Mickey Thompson MTZs on my GU tourer (at 305/70/16) and they are only 121 rated at 1450kg.

I wouldn’t stress. If you’ve got LT with 3-ply sidewalls and a reputable brand I’d be comfortable.

My only avoidance would be tyres sharing a name with a great SA brewery. Wouldn’t go there based on past delaminating problems.

[PeeBee]

Yeah see your point. I need to put the car over the scales I bought I guess. I am thinking about heavy loads and lower pressures which greatly de-rate the tire - if you look at the ratings they are all at 50psi cold.Will dig a bit deeper.

[PeeBee]

I have reached out to BFG and Kumho for comments on running tires at say 20-25psi for extended periods in 30degC temps at low speed - will see what they come back with. Coopers publish a 6psi reduction reduces load rating by 20%. This is due to increased temps from wall flex. I am sure there is adequate tolerance in the 121's but just need to see if anyone has any facts around this they have found.

[Plasnart]

I have reached out to BFG and Kumho for comments on running tires at say 20-25psi for extended periods in 30degC temps at low speed - will see what they come back with. Coopers publish a 6psi reduction reduces load rating by 20%. This is due to increased temps from wall flex. I am sure there is adequate tolerance in the 121's but just need to see if anyone has any facts around this they have found.

I don’t have any scientific calculations, academic assessments or technical specifications to provide you Phil, but my anecdotal evidence indicates you should be fine. After many outback kilometres, generally at 18psi on unsealed tracks and sometimes no tracks at all, traversing sand country, mallee country, spinifex country, limestone country, hard corrugated country, deep bulldust country and boghole country, I not once experienced a flat Mickey Thompson MTZ.
There was one place I did tear the side wall out though. That was exiting the Ouyen BP servo and was flat by the time I crossed the road. And I couldn’t find the culprit. Go figure!!!

[PeeBee]

Its a point to consider. I did destroy a perfectly good heavy duty cross ply tire running it too low, when the tire was pulled off the rim to replace the inside was a mess of delaminated chords and shredded rubber. I know the construction is different with radials, however having repaired hundred of flat and damaged tires as teenager in a garage, the radials come apart as well. I know even my run flats on the BMW stripped apart at run flat pressures - tire wall flex is a killer.

I have not heard back from either company, so will chase today between oxygen free meetings.

[PeeBee]

Chased both companies and 'no idea' is the resounding echo. Waiting for some info to come back, 'whenever' they have it. I am amazed this isnt as easy an answer to resolve.

[PeeBee]

OK, Kumho can not advise load rating at 20 psi, as the tire is rated at 80psi for max load capacity. Just slow down below 30psi.

BFG, not the slightest idea, sorry cant help.

Brilliant outcome.

[PeeBee]

Further to the positive response from BFG/Michelin, I decided to approach the head office in the USA for an answer as the Australian office clearly could not be stuffed answering or even researching the issue, only to receive a cordial response from them to say, speak to the local office. There is another brand with a 126 rating 'Sailen Terramax TR AT71 Rugged, but only 2 tires in the country at the moment, unsure if further units coming into the country - the chase continues. These are manufactured in China, however looking at side wall construction as well as reduced pressure rating.

[PeeBee]

OK, ordered 4 of these monsters, $1900 fitted and balanced, based upon what I have gleaned from other tire manufacturers, at 30psi the tires should still have a load capacity of around 900-1000kg each. at 50psi its 1700kg each.

[BrazilianY60]

The Terramax you mean?

[PeeBee]

The Terramax you mean?

I went with the BFG HD Terrain, the Terra Max didn't stack up in my mind. A lot cheaper but ......

[PeeBee]

Picked up 4 of the BFG HD Terrains today, beast of a tire, manufactured for the heavy USA 4wd vehicle market, GMC/F trucks, Chev Pickup up with high torque outputs. They fitted up well to the Nissan patrol GU factory alloys and the service from The Tyre Centre in Mitcham Vic was excellent, could not be more helpful and price was the lowest in Melb to boot.
Regarding the load rating V pressure, the jousting continues! I received another email this morning with another snippet however not addressing the question, which was what is the load rating of the tire at 20psi and what detrimental effect re heat build up might I see running for 900klm at this pressure in a heavily loaded vehicle in 30Deg Temps?

The reply was dont run the tires below 20psi or you risk rolling them off the rim. They recommend a minimum of 30psi for extended deflated driving and to keep speed below 15klphr. So some more valuable info but still nothing on the load capacity at reduced pressure. I have re-worded my multiple questions to BFG/Michelin again to specifically ask what is the recommended minimum pressure for a tire with a 600kg individual load and a tire with a 1000kg load in instances of extended sand driving - will see what they come back with.88149

[PeeBee]

OK, on the info dribbles in, and its not as supporting of my original assumptions, which is a piss off, but not entirely a bad news story.

BFG finally came back to advise the difference between the load capacity of the HD to the Standard All Terrain and Mud Terrain is the rated upper pressure, being 80PSI for the HD and 65PSI for the AT and MT.

The 121 and 126 rated tires have the same load carrying capacity at 45PSI, so for lower pressure ranges there appears to be no added value going with the HD range - would have been great to have this info as late as this morning and I would have detuned to the All Terrain KO2 instead as my load rating is the same and $200 a tire cheaper.
At 45PSI the load carry capacity is identical between all 3 tires. At 45PSI all tires will carry 1000kg. The question still unanswered is what is the capacity at 25PSI. I have posed this final question to BFG and see what they come back with.

At 25PSI, speed recommendation is to limit to 40klm. At 45psi you can run at higher than 40kmhr.

Anyway, its done, I am still happy with the selection to a degree, the tread pattern is a lot more 'blocky' than the AT, which will probably give it a wider all round use.

Ultimately this reinforces the use of the 121 rated tires as viable long term lower pressure units. I am unlikely to see the benefit of the HD due to having no need to run at 80psi.

Been like pulling teeth out of an oyster to get this, frustrating but there you have it.

[PeeBee]

OK, swapped out the BFG HD Terrains back to the Kumho Muddies. I reckon I have lost 5mm of tread depth in 5000klm - bloody severe I think - will query BFG on this. Tread is wearing evenly across all faces, just evaporating. they are a very capable tire, great in the sand and corrugated road, handle the rocks and crappy high country stuff, not much wet driving as yet. For the money I dont think I would go this way again, unless I am painted into a corner regards load rating.