IMO the 55-profile sidewall is too small for decent off-road use. I've seen a V10 on an off-road trail with 255/55R18's and his performance was definitely compromised.

Rather look at a 265/60 (if it's available) or 265/65R18, if the Ozzie laws allow you to do this.

I have no experience with the Generals, but I've never heard anyone complain about them.

 

Yes, it will come down to the placard specs...that's why the 17" were being considered for a higher profile A/T . But, the 18" may work if the sidewall ply thickness is in the Grabbers and I drop the pressures about 15psi to the mid 20's.

 

They're really screwing you with the law over there, and for the life of me I can't understand why...

The problem comes in when running the 55's at lower pressures, especially on rocky terrain. Chances for a "pinch flat" and wheel damage is just so much greater.

I suppose if you're just planning on sticking to bad gravel roads you should be ok, but anything that warrants the use of low range, I wouldn't tackle often with a 255/55. I'd rather then go for a set of 17's. Maybe even swap another owner who wants 18's...?

Just m2c.

 

Yes, your comments are very valid. The solution is a set of 17" with A/T's and 18'/19's for the road, which will be most of the use. I'm trying to avoid a set of 17's if I can get a decent side wall 55 profile on an 18". Bad enough I have 19's that are as hard to find a decent tyre. Hence, I've had them off for 2 years. Bloody Touaregs and tyres! No easy solution!

 

I've got the Hankook ATM tire in 265/65/18 and the've been great. I use them in the dirt and mud with no complaints.

 

Seems a well-rated tyre over in the US. Not sure about availability here yet. Might have to make a few enquiries. The General Grabbers ATR2 are around $330 ea here. Probably 1/2 the price in the US.

 

If they're anything like the Silverstone AT117 (Same pattern, there or there abouts) I found them as noisy as hell. Quite good off road, but intrusive noise on highway. Didn't find them real flash on mud. Then again I don't really know an A/T that is.

I've found in the past the BFG knock offs to be good, but not quite as good as the real thing.

Qualifier: I had them on a DiD Pajero with 16's (Hey, they came at the right price...) However in the course of my employment I've driven others with the Silverstones to find it's not a one off. I'd expect the Generals to be the same.

 

i've gone for the pirelli's in 255/55/18s, looked at the AT2 but heard they get noisy on road, but do offer a marginally more aggressive tread pattern.
Next time I'll go for 265/65/18 for off road experience and have the 19s for around town.

 

I fitted a set of General Grabber AT2 255/55/R18 two weeks ago on my V10. Really wanted the 265/60/R18 Cooper ATR or Silent Armor, but in the end the insurance killed that idea and 17" not an option on V10. So far I am very impressed. Not much more noise than my road tyres and they handle well and look great. Plenty of tread so they ride 'softer' than the road tyres as well. Am yet to try off road but the tread is very similar to BFG AT so they shouldn't be too bad. Also have seen some good reports on life. 60,000+kms. If you want to have a look, I work in Darra so send me a PM for the details.

 

Oates - I'm keen to see how they go in the dirt. AndrieK - made the point about sidewalls. Valid comment, but it's all about limitations and being aware of those limitations. Horses for courses sort of thing. I'd be happy with any decent A/T that proved itself on the tar without screwing the Treg's lovely road manners and equally good off road without being a mud tyre. My son has a set of Maxxis Bighorns on his Hilux. Beefy as, but crap on a wet tar surface (dangerous even). I don't need that. I know about the Scorpions (ATR's) Singh - rated as a decent tyre I believe. How do you rate them in the dirt? What price also?

 

I agree with AndrieK, the bigger the better. 265/60/R18 was my first preference but after too much thought, and what if's regarding insurance, when I saw the General Grabber AT2, I thought these would do 90% of what I need, so I went with them. My biggest issue was that I had never heard of them. Maybe in the future I will opt for the 265/60/R18 or even the 265/65/R18 and just run them as an off road set. I still have the original 19" wheels with road tyres but thought the Grabbers were a very good compromise and just leave them on with no worries about insurance. Legally you are allowed 15mm larger diameter tyres. The 265/60/R18 gives about 40mm larger diameter, therefore the car is technically not roadworthy in Queensland. AAMI insurance said no problem with tyres as long as the vehicle is roadworthy!!!! I guess you could fight it in court if it came to that. I will post some photos of the tyres on my Treg tomorrow.

 

. I will post some photos of the tyres on my Treg tomorrow.

bring on the pics!

 

Yes, insurance is no compromise as far as I'm concerned. Not worth the potential risk of going oversize, so I'd prefer to stick with tyre placard specs. Otherwise, it's 17's and that opens up way more A/T choices. But, 18's are good all round if the sizes work out.

 

The problem with having two sets of tyres is that inevitably you end up with the wrong set on the car at the wrong time. I think you guys in Oz have similar conditions to us here in SA. When I go on holiday, I often have to drive over 1,000km to get to the 4x4 stuff, so I end up spending a lot of highway time on A/T tyres. I can't cart 5 spare tyres around with me everywhere I go, just so that I can cruise on the highway on the nice rubber and change it before I hit the dirt.

I've been thinking of getting a set of 16" steelies for my Treg, but I'm not convinced it'll do me any good.

Having a "snow" set is a different story, because you'll then change the tyres once every 6 months. But yes, it almost never snows here in SA.

The only terrain I REALLY don't like the 255/55R18 in, is sharp, loose rocks, and I suspect a bigger sidewall would be a big benefit in sand, but like SLURPER said, if you know the limitations, you just need to work around it.

 

Here are some pics of the Grabber AT2. I was running out of daylight tonight so sorry about the quality. I will try to get some better ones tomorrow.

 

good show Oates! let us know how you go with noise as they grabbers wear out a bit.
I notice the grabbers come in 255/60/18 as well

 

Yes, I expect they will get louder as they wear. I have had BFG AT KO's before on Pajero's and Prado's (before I saw the light) and I was surprised how quiet the Grabber AT2's were. Only a bit of whine, depending on the surface. I had considered the 255/60/18's Grabbers but even these are 25mm bigger in diameter so those would not be 'legal' and therefore still an insurance problem. If I was going to risk it I would go for the 265/60/18.

 

I believe the “rules” allow 15mm extra diameter on tyres, but check with your motor registry. You will probably find you can go 50mm larger as long as your speedo is re-calibrated.

 

The crazy thing about what is 'legal' as far a tyre size in Australia is concerned, is that it is not consistent across the states. In Queensland it is 15mm max. http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/resources/file/ebde8d0521b67c6/Pdf_modification_motor_vehicles2.pdf
In Tasmania and maybe ACT and NT, I think it is 50mm. Whats the saying? The law is an ass? (at least in Queensland) How can it be safe in one state and unsafe across the border. Another interesting link is Qld Transport and tyre Guidelines @ ExplorOz

 

Grabbers look OK. I was just watching Channel 7 "Creek to Coast" segment with a RR Sport fitted with Cooper Zeon LTZ's. They build a 285/60/R18. Info here:
Cooper Tires - Tyres

Plus, the size goes to 24" !!! "Not happy Jan" about no 19 inch size.

I'm still keen on 18's...anyone fitted a set or know any reviews from Oz owners?

 

285/60/18 will rub

 

I have yet to take this any further, but I suspect you are correct. Weird that the 275 is a 20". Bloody Touaregs and tyres. I'm not fitting 20's! The Grabbers seem to be little left in the way of A/T options

 

Singh - I know you've had a few posts on tyres. Another 18" option is the Goodyear Wrangler silent armour 265/60/R18:
Tyre Search, Goodyear, Australia
I know 17's are the logical option for choice. But I'll be stuffed if I'm getting a set of 17's to go with the 18's already fitted and the dust covered 19's in my shed! I still want an 18" for everyday use, with off-road clout. Is that a big ask?

 

I run those So far so good, I do have some rub on the Intercooler cover slats tho.

 

Where is the actual wear? I had 275's on 19" and had no wear, so I am wondering if these have a larger rolling diameter.

 

I'm just about settled on a set of Hankook Dynapro ATM rf10's on 8" x 18" alloys. I can't locate a bad review on these tyres; I checked out the US SUV/4x4 forum sites and there are some great user reviews on these tyres. I've got them ready to order @ $275 f&b from a bloke who'll get me a good dealer price.

 

I dont think Hankook offer a suitable size in ATM range(18s) that will fit the Touareg without rubbing, which size are you looking at oilslurper?
18 is a better choice for offroad tyres otherwise you can use your 19s and get the goodyear MTR, maybe a bit too much for everyday use.

 

Been looking at the 265/65/R18.....but, I'm getting the tyre OD (rolling diameter) checked against the Touareg size charts. I read on this thread from one of the US/Cannuck members who fitted a set said they rubbed on the intercooler slats. They only way that could happen is they are a larger rolling dia. I'm going to stay within legal specs. If they are oversize, I'll have to keep looking on the 18's. I can't envisage my 19's ever going back on.

 

Nitto Terra Grapplers 265/65/R18. Anyone got any info?

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/product/tires/nitrl1.ang.jpg