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265/60R18 AT tyres now available in LT construction

15K views 42 replies 12 participants last post by  BobT 
#1 ·
I read this morning on Ausjeep that Bridgestone have released the D697 Dueler AT in light truck construction in the 265/60R18 size.

The last tyres I had on the Jackaroo were the D694 LT, and they were the best tyres I'd had on that car.

Bridgestone Dueler D697

So we now have an LT option for those with 18" rims.
 
#2 ·
I read this morning on Ausjeep that Bridgestone have released the D697 Dueler AT in light truck construction in the 265/60R18 size.

The last tyres I had on the Jackaroo were the D694 LT, and they were the best tyres I'd had on that car.

Bridgestone Dueler D697

So we now have an LT option for those with 18" rims.
Great find! Can't wait to get off the Kumhos.
 
#3 · (Edited)
I just waved goodbye to the Kumhos.......19100k and probably bit more than half worn (but even all round), and they've dragged the van around 14000K.
We tow the van a fair bit off the beaten track and I didn't feel the OE's would tolerate anything more than a marble, especially if it had sharp edges.
Researched, thought long and hard about importing BFG AT's from Tirerack, did more research, didn't get anywhere.

We are heading off to Central Vic and the Murray with the van next week and will clock up likely 10K before we get home after Christmas, so turned up the wick under the research...

On spec walked into local Bob Jane and asked for a price for Yokohama AT's - "you came at the right time da da da!!"
He had a set of Geolandar AT 265x60x18's on the floor that had been incorrectly fitted to a customers car and had to be taken off (long story, not relevant), that still had the mould pimples on the treads.
Fully guaranteed, full service etc, $220 ea fitted, inc thrust wheel alignment. Easy decision.

Not often I get a bargain.

Slightly more tyre noise, they also come with the Yokohama road hazard guarantee that if the tyre is damaged in any way and still has 75% of tread it will be replaced free by any Yokohama dealer, if 50% then half price.
John
 
#5 ·
265/65/18 bf Goodrich ta ko. $345 each from Cornell's in Sydney. $95 to ship to Melb and $90 to fit 5 and balance at Bayside Jeep. Gives an extra 13mm ground clearance and makes speedo spot on. We have about 12000 k on these so far and very happy.
 
#9 ·
#10 ·
Just be aware that the Coopee LTZ are not LT as in light truck tyre construction. The naming could lead to a misunderstanding.

The Coopers website does say its a passenger construction, so the sidewalls wont be as thick or strong as a proper LT tyre.

However given there's not much else for the 20" rims, its a far better off road proposition than anything else on the market.
 
#11 ·
OK, I've now done about 8,000km with about 100km off-road on the OEM Kumho Solus KL21 265/60R18s and already there are a number of chips in the tread. One is so deep the steel is just visible. I'm sure this can be fixed. They do it all the time for trucks but all the tyre places want to do is give me a big spiel on safety and the law then offer to sell me a new tyre. Does anyone know of someone who does this sort of repair in the Sydney area? Alternatively, has anyone a spare Kumho Solus KL21 265/60R18 with about 20k still on it, lying around? I would like to get rid of the Kumhos altogether but they still have too much rubber on them.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Further to my post above, I'm still driving the tyre with the tyre cord visible on the tread. I have now done 10,000km and another tyre has gone with an irreparable tear in the tread. The photo shows the tear and the considerable amount of chipping with <50km of off-road driving. This tear occurred not off-road but on a well graded gravel trunk road. So that's it, I'm dumping the Kumhos. IMHO, the Kumho Solus KL21 should be labelled "WARNING!: for sealed roads only". Chrysler had no business putting these on a Jeep. I'm getting prices for a set 5 Bridgestone D697 265/60R18 LTs.
 

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#14 · (Edited)
Let us know how you go with the Bridgestones.

The last set of D694LT's that I bought, Bridgestone Hurstville did for $250 ea in LT265/70R16, which was $50 cheaper than anywhere else per tyre. This was probably 3 years ago now and obviously the 265/60R18 in D697LT will be dearer.

They were damn good tyres too!
 
#15 ·
The D694LT's that I run on the van in 245x65x16 are tough as - wore out one set and now on the second. They do have nicks and chips but have done severe service with loading right up there on the rating and 50psi.
I have no clue how they would feel on a vehicle but I'll buy them again for the van.
Bob it might be worth getting prices as well for the Geolandar AT in the 265x60x18......I've fitted them in place of the Kumho's and so far they seem OK - only a slight bit of extra noise on the tar. I'm sure they have a fair bit more rolling resistance though, and they are significantly heavier per tyre which must say something for the construction of both brands.
 
#16 ·
Thanks John. The only 18" AT tyres that fit exactly that I can find locally are:
Micky Thompsom STZ
Cooper Discoverer A/T3
Bridgestone D697
Michelin LTX A/T2
Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S G012
Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armour
Out of these, the Bridgestone is the only LT rated tyre. I'm not 100% sure about the Geolander, they don't say, but the others are definitely P type. After my disasterous experience with the Kumhos, I'm playing it safe with LTs. I got 4 quotes. Bridgstone Hornsby had the best price so I orderred 5. My only reservation is that the Bridgestones are speed rated at S (180kph). That's plenty fast enough for me but the door sticker requires H (210kph). A narky insurance assessor could make an issue of this. BTW, the Geolanders are H.
 
#18 ·
BTW, the Kumhos are made in Vietnam, the Bridgestone D697s are made in Indonesia. It probably means little but at least it's closer to home. One would expect they both implement imported technology and quality assurance.
 
#19 · (Edited)
Hi Guys,

Interesting conversation, i just went through the tyre dramas with my Kumhos althought i managed to get 43,000 out of them until i got a puncture on one of them and the rest were buggered. They had a few chips and cracks and i hadnt done too much off road driving on them. I have gone for the Bridgestone D697 and i have only done about 100km on them so far. A little bit more road noise, but with the window down or radio on cant notice the difference. Im happy with the look of them and cant wait to try them off road.

 
#22 · (Edited)
Hi Guys,

Interesting conversation, i just went through the tyre dramas with my Kumhos althought i managed to get 43,000 out of them until i got a puncture on one of them and the rest were buggered. They had a few chips and cracks and i hadnt done too much off road driving on them. I have gone for the Bridgestone D697 and i have only done about 100km on them so far. A little bit more road noise, but with the window down or radio on cant notice the difference. Im happy with the look of them and cant wait to try them off road.
Same here, too early to tell but I was surprised how passenger tyre like they felt despite being LT rated. What pressure did your tyre bloke tell you to use. Mine recommended 40psi but that seemed to be off the top of his head. I've contacted Bridgestone for something more definitive. Their national techy is on leave so they sent it to their state tecky but he is slow to respond. On the web, many are quick to express an opinion but few seem to really know. The scary thing is how many will nominate the pressure printed on the tyre not realising that it is the maximum allowable pressure. A Toyo site recommended LT tyres have 15psi more than the door stick pressure. In our case that would be 48psi ??? We'll see what the Bridgestone guy has to say. As for the Kumhos, following my experience, I be wary taking them up a gravel driveway.

Interesting wheels Jatsonf, what are they?
 
#20 ·
A tip to keep the white lettering bright. Spray some non-acid wheel cleaner on it, like the Repco trigger pack stuff, leave it for a minute and then wash it off with a jet of water. A water pressure cleaner is best, but a garden hose with the nozzle set to jet is good enough.
 
#23 ·
Just as a rule of thumb I use the sticker psi plus 10%-15% for P type tyres, which makes it 36-38psi.

However with the LT's, just somewhere in the range of 38-40psi and see what suits you. The max psi on the tyre should be in excess of 60psi cold on an LT.
 
#24 · (Edited)
I am interested in how folks are going with their replacement tyre choice.

With 27,000klm on my 18" Kuhmos I picked up a stone that has embedded itself in the tread on a rear tyre and it must be a decent hole as it went flat in under 10 minutes. Also looking at the wear bars there is not much life left in the tyre (assuming that a repair is possible).

I am considering the Yoko Geolandar A/T-S or MickeyT STZ or perhaps the Bridgestone D697 as replacements.

As I live some 60klm (as the crow files) from Melbourne 90% of my driving is on bitumen at highway speeds and the rest in the Melbourne metro area. I live on a gravel road and find the Kuhmos have a considerable ability to pick up stones.

Your experiences to date would be appreciated.

Regards
Bernard
 
#25 · (Edited)
I am interested in how folks are going with their replacement tyre choice.

With 27,000klm on my 18" Kuhmos I picked up a stone that has embedded itself in the tread on a rear tyre and it must be a decent hole as it went flat in under 10 minutes. Also looking at the wear bars there is not much life left in the tyre (assuming that a repair is possible).

I am considering the Yoko Geolandar A/T-S or perhaps the Bridgestone D697 as replacements.

As I live some 60klm (as the crow files) from Melbourne 90% of my driving is on bitumen at highway speeds and the rest in the Melbourne metro area. I live on a gravel road and find the Kuhmos have a considerable ability to pick up stones.

Your experiences to date would be appreciated.

Regards
Bernard
I would think either tyre would do the job. Just be aware that the Geolander in that size is of passenger construction whereas the D679 is of light truck (LT) construction. Seeing that you don't intend to do much if any off-roading and you are far more likely to kill yourself at speed, the Geolander would seem the better and safer performer. Most of us spend 90% if not more of our kms on bitumen but for those that go off-road, that other 10% is the most important bit.

Edit: Forgot to add before; A/T tyres still pick up stones only they are bigger.
 
#27 · (Edited)
The Importance of Matching Wheels & Tyres for Off-road Caravans
Anyone recognise these wheels? They are WK2 OEM 18" wheels. I know this because they are the wheels I recently delivered to Kimberly to fit to the camper trailer they are building for me. The tyres are Bridgestone D697 LT 265/60R18. I should have washed the blue dye off the lettering first.

BTW, the caravan in the picture is one of their Kimberley Kruisers starting at about $100,000. Mine is just a two wheeler trailer.
 
#28 ·
Update. The tyre was repairable so I did not need to replace anything.

Fast forward to yesterday. I was checking out a location near Tabilk that I need to go to next weekend and headed a couple of klm down one of those tracks between farm properties. Flat sandy conditions and some wheel tracks to follow. Result...small stick through a side wall near the tread.

Looks like Im back in the market for tyres. 2 punctures in a month and 3 punctures in the 15 months of ownership. That's more than in the previous 30 years of driving. :mad:

Regards
Bernard.
 
#29 ·
Last update.

Dropped the Jeep off at Bob Jane to get a pair of Geolandar's fitted a couple of weeks ago. Asked the guy to throw out the worst of the remaining 3. As I walked back to the car park to pick up my computer etc I noticed that the other rear tyre had a screw in the tread. That makes it 4 punctures in about 15 months and just on 30,000klm.

I will get another 2 Geolandars in the months ahead and be rid of those Kuhmo's for ever.

Regards
Bernard
 
#30 · (Edited)
Finaly got delivery of my Kimberley camper trailer, see photo. I mentioned before how I was keen to get a trailer with the same track and wheels as the Jeep. Kimberly were able to accommodate that more or less. With a spare on the trailer and one in the car, I now have 6 running wheels and 2 spares all with TPMS and interchangeable. The track of the trailer is within 30mm of that of the rear of the Jeep. That minimises the bow wave of sand the trailer has to push on a beach. There were a number of issues in getting the same wheels fitted. Because of the small pitch circle diameter of the Jeep wheels, I had to settle for specially made drum brakes rather than the better performing electric over hydraulic disc option. Also, because of the small centre hole of the Jeep wheel, a smaller axle had to be used. This lead to the trailer being downrated to 1250kg/axle against their normal 2000kg/axle. That's no big deal since the GVM of the trailer is 1600kg. However, despite me giving Kimberly the wheel stud size and supplying the wheel nuts, they installed smaller diameter studs and wheel nuts. Why they did this I don't know... yet. It means I now need to carry two wheel spanners. It's a shame. What could have been a bit of brilliant engineering is now just "she'll be right" mediocraty. Anyway, I just can't wait to try this rig out. All tyres are Bridgestone D697 265/60R18 LT.
 

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#36 · (Edited)
...However, despite me giving Kimberly the wheel stud size and supplying the wheel nuts, they installed smaller diameter studs and wheel nuts. Why they did this I don't know... yet. It means I now need to carry two wheel spanners. It's a shame. What could have been a bit of brilliant engineering is now just "she'll be right" mediocraty...
I owe Kimberley Kampers a huge apology. Yes, I gave them the wheel stud size. I gave them 1/2" X 20 which I got from Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 - 2011-2014 Grand Cherokee Wheels and tires . They followed instructions exactly. The problem was that the information was wrong. The studs are actually M14 X 1.5 that is 14mm by 1.5 threads per mm. I've PM'd Milous so that he can make the change to the site. The next step is to source some studs of the correct size and put them in.
 
#31 ·
Congrats on the trailer. Now you will be able to get out to those better photo spots with all your gear.
Pity about the wheel issue, which probably will screw up my plans of using GC 18" wheels on my 2.7Tonne caravan. May have to rethink.
 
#33 · (Edited)
Yes, it's amazing isn't it. Virtually every modern vehicle has wheel centric axles yet trailer builders are stuck in this 50 year old mins set.

John, I think you are right. They got around the hub bore diameter by using so called "slim line" bearings. I found a table somewhere that rated them at 1250kg.
 
#32 · (Edited)
The rig looks great Bob - you'll be busting to get it out and dirty. Pity that Kimberley didn't grasp the significance of the wheel nut size after all your work to make everything compatible.
I do carry spare studs and wheel nuts for the caravan in a cryovaced package with pre-greased spare wheel bearings. Unfortunately the nuts matched our previous Patrols so now I also carry two wheel spanners.
Did you check out Melbourne Trailer and Axle regarding the brake drums and hubs? I was of the understanding they would machine on site to suit special orders.
Perhaps the 127mm pcd meant they couldn't use the larger bearings, hence the downrated axle.
John
 
#35 ·
Sorry John. I thought I replied but must not have taken. It does that some times when I forget to hit Submit, funny that. I'll try again.
 
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