Grandtrek AT20s - suitable for Marree - William Creek?

[TimA Member Find all posts View Profile Close TimA]

Just got my GX and started the mods. Due to late delivery I wont have time to get all the mods I want.

Am planning a trip to William Creek (Lake Eyre) and through the Flinders Ranges soon. The OEM tyre is the Dunlop Grandtrek AT20. With careful attention to tyre pressure, will they handle a trip to William Creek (via Leigh Creek/Marree) and the Flinders Ranges (Arkaroola)?

I expect to only do about 2000km off road having come from Melbourne. Just want some assurance they are up to the trip I have planned.

Later mods include changing rim sizes and getting some coopers or BFGs.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Assuming the tyres are in good condition to start with and you run suitable pressures I would expect them to be fine. I have travelled the Oodnadatta Track and through the flinders on Grandtreks with the only flat being from a nail and the Tyre was so worn out by that stage it never went back on the vehicle.

Whilst good AT tyres are better than HT tyres for outback travel, I personally think that tyre pressures play a far greater role in the scheme of things than the type or brand of tyre you run.

What pressure to run? have a look here for a guide http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...ssure-Database

Cheers Andrew

[Peterpilot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Peterpilot]

I agree with Andrew about tyre pressures. On a similar trip to yours and running tyres at highway pressures on the dirt roads of the Flinders Ranges, I suffered a tyre failure that was unrepairable due to a rock piercing the tread and I had to buy a tyre in Leigh Creek. With subsequent reduction in tyre pressures I had no more punctures on that trip, which included a Simpson Desert crossing. Carry a second spare and you'll be OK with the AT20s.

[Peterpilot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Peterpilot]

P.S. This was what happened to me in the Flinders Ranges. I subsequently used one of my spare Grandtreks and with due attention to correct pressure, crossed the Simpson with that Grandtrek on the rear without further failure. Yes, the tyre I bought in Leigh Creek to replace the Yokohama Geolandar A/T was also a Grandtrek. This wasn't by choice but when outback you have to buy whatever is available. In the end the Grandtreks proved to be reliable. However, no matter what tyres you run, you must always carry two spares.

[Sunshine Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sunshine]

Drove through the Flinders Ranges and to Marree and then up the Strezleckie Track last year on Grandtrek AT20s that were about 3/4 worn out but had no trouble. Ran them at 25PSI off the bitumen and they were fine. Almost any tyres are ok as long as you don't want to get into mud or do any extreme driving. Have 2 spares if you can cos getting a tyre of the right size in some of the isolated places might be difficult if you do damage one. I have changed the Dunlops for a new set of Pirellis now though.

[TimA Member Find all posts View Profile Close TimA]

Thanks for the replies guys. I now have more confidence in the tyres. I was always planning to be careful with tyre pressure . Now I can delay the new rims and tyres until I have some cash!!!!

[scottsr8 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close scottsr8]

The road between william creek and maree is pretty much suitable to any 2wd car unless it rains. So the tyres will be fine on that stretch

[chester ver 2.0 Member Find all posts View Profile Close chester ver 2.0]

As above i have done it twice and the amount of 2 wheel drive cars or rav4 subaru and the like were quite substancial.

However if there is any chance of rain on the forcast take a few extra days supplies as it turnes into a quagmire

[hookedon4wding Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close hookedon4wding]

Yep, as others have said, watch the pressures, take two spares and drive at sensible speeds on the dirt (<80km/h) and you should be fine.

[letsgoplaces Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close letsgoplaces]

Thanks for the replies guys. I now have more confidence in the tyres. I was always planning to be careful with tyre pressure . Now I can delay the new rims and tyres until I have some cash!!!!

OOPS... there goes a perfect opportunity

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Just returned from that same area....I run BFG A/T's (which were naturally fine), but there was a stock Prado and a stock 200 Cruiser (I think it was running the ATR22's)....all was fine as long as you watch the pressure....the road is pretty crappy after Marree, lots of corrugations...but golden rule I reckon is "under 30 and under 80".....I ran through there with 28 in the back and 26 in the front....and def no faster than 80 Kms and not a problem...for me or the stock vehicles.

[keencdk Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close keencdk]

I just returned and agree, 23-26psi and 80kph and you'll be fine. Two spares if you can get a second one. We never had an issue, but met 5 different people who had punctures in all sorts of all terrain and mud terrain tyres and they ALL were running 30-36psi and were all travelling between 90-100kph

[TimA Member Find all posts View Profile Close TimA]

Thanks guys. I take off in less than 2 weeks and have done as much as I can to prepare. Am comfortable knowing I have done all the right preparation. Really looking forward to some me time!!!!

[TimA Member Find all posts View Profile Close TimA]

Thought I would give an update.

The tyres were fine from Lyndhurst to William Creek and back. The road was like a highway and no rain to complicate things. Even went out to Halligan Bay which was very corrugated. Then went out to Arkaroola and again the road was smooth. I took the back track from Arkaroola to Blinman and fractured a tyre on this section. I reckon the front tyre turned a sharp rock which pierced through the tread (right in middle) of the rear tyre. Oh well, sh@t happens. The tyre is patched but I wont be relying on it.

I wanted to change the rims anyway so I just picked up some 17 x 7.5 speedy avalanche for $165 each. Happy with that price.

I'll get some new rubber and have 2 sets of tyres - one for city/everyday driving and one for 4wd. Once the city ones need replacing, I'll reconsider my options.