Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

I bought our Patrol with BFG 258/75/16 AT K01 about a year and a half ago. The front tyres were brand new and the rear ones more used. The spare wheel was of the original 265/75/16 size and I has to buy a 285/75.

Not being a BFG fan, basically due to the price tag as well as the fact that I had very good service from Kumo KL78's on my HB I opted for the KL78 in the 285/75/16 - 1k less in price compared to the BFG. Since our Namib excursion last year the spare wheel was riding inside the Patrol at the back. This has become a pain in the back side and I decided to fit a spare wheel carrier in stead - got one for 3k.

The gentlemen who made the carrier used the BFG's as template for size (diameter) and today when we attempted to fit the wheel to the carrier, with surprise we found out that the Kumo is much bigger in diameter compared to any of the BFG's on the vehicle - the Kumo is 830mm from the ground to the top of the tyre whilst the less used BFG is only about 795mm. It is obvious that a used tyre will be smaller than a brand new one but what we saw today was quite interesting.

It is also very visible that the tread of the Kumo is much narrower than that of the BFG - I know the 285 represents the total width of the tyre from side to side and not necessarily the tread width.

What does this means to me? I can't use the Kumo together with the lower BFG's especially in 4x4 conditions so guess what - 3 new Kumo's (might be four) is on the horison.

George

I also have both Khumos and BFGs at home at the moment.
But the Khumos are more warn so a comparison n size is not fair in my case.

I was happy with the Khumos in most respects, except for the following:
a) I seem to get more punctures with Khumos. Small sample admittedly. I got a puncture in Kaokoland (2016-07) and another one on the dune trip (2017-03).
b) What is disappointing about Khumos though is that they wore off much quicker than expected. BFGs on the other hand are renowned for its long life.

For overlanding only, I would not hesitate to go with BFGs in the future.
If better traction on trials is more important, then I would consider softer tires.

georgeb wrote:.... with surprise we found out that the Kumo is much bigger in diameter compared to any of the BFG's on the vehicle - the Kumo is 830mm from the ground to the top of the tyre whilst the less used BFG is only about 795mm. It is obvious that a used tyre will be smaller than a brand new one but what we saw today was quite interesting.

It is also very visible that the tread of the Kumo is much narrower than that of the BFG - I know the 285 represents the total width of the tyre from side to side and not necessarily the tread width.

What does this means to me? I can't use the Kumo together with the lower BFG's especially in 4x4 conditions so guess what - 3 new Kumo's (might be four) is on the horison.

Have a look here: http://patrol4x4.co.za/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=6211

The tyre sizes do differ. between manufacturers...

@SJC - can be an expensive mistake between these differing sizes!

@Alex - punctures on KL71 or 78 - side wall or tread?

@Cedric - how is your 78's doing?

georgeb wrote:@SJC - can be an expensive mistake between these differing sizes!

@Alex - punctures on KL71 or 78 - side wall or tread?

@Cedric - how is your 78's doing?

KL71 (I think?). I am not at home at the moment, so cannot verify. But they are mud terrains.
In both cases the punuutres were in the tread.

Alex you have the KL71's on you Patrol. Yeah they do wear quicker but grip like a monkey holding an apple in a jam jar.

The Kl78's I have on now are VERY different compared to the KL71's and Maxxi Bighorns I had on previously. On tar they feel "softer" to drive on ( compared to muddies ). On Mozambique sand dunes ( Ponta du Ouro ) I was VERY impressed. I drove 99% of the time in 2x4 with tires deflated to 1.3 bar. ( loaded and empty ). In my opinion, they worked better than the muddies i had on before. Tyre wear is still too soon to see as I haven't done enough Km to really see any wear.

I think its all about what you want to do with the Patrol. Softer sidewall tyres will be king in the dunes due to the better ballooning effect, whereas harder sidewalls will be better on rocks...... decisions decicions....

georgeb wrote:@SJC - can be an expensive mistake between these differing sizes!

In my case the dunlops were taller than the coopers (st maxx) - which I like.
But the coopers are wider. I have not been able to fault the dunlops offroad, they are excellent on all terrains. the coopers are also excellent, better all round tyre, but are useless in mud (imho). - But that is why cooper got the stt pro's..
The dunlops are wearing a lot faster than the coopers, but then i have been carting lots of heavy loads between nelspruit-sabie, hazyview-sabie tha past few months.
If it wasnt for this, they probably would last longer. dont think they like the heavy loads on tar road. the dunlops load rating is only 1120kg per tyre. (112Q)
Maybe a tyre with a bigger load rating would fare better..(dont know)?

SJC wrote:In my case the dunlops were taller than the coopers (st maxx) - which I like.

Totally agree with you - the taller and narrower tyre also comes with less rolling resistance. What Dunlop's do you use?

Grandtrek MT2 255/85r16.