Tyres for the Simpson Desert crossing (French Line and QAA) ??

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

Hello. I know there's been heaps of discussion on tyre but thought I might start my own with specifics in mind.
I am tossing up whether to buy 5 new tyres for a proposed trip across the Simpson Desert (and beyond over time). The route would be west to east along the French Line and the QAA into Birdsville. I still have the factory Dunlop Grandtrek AT25 all round and although they are still fairly new, I thought it might be wise to change them all to a slightly more aggressive road/sand tyre. I was thinking the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT but I welcome other suggestions and the wealth of knowledge available on this forum. I am wondering: Is this change a definite necessity to tackle this track or is tyre pressure control alone and sensible driving going to prevail over much of this terrain. I was also going to replace the standard alloys with a set of suitable steel rims (King terra).

EDIT
So, really, when tyres are at 18psi, how much difference does the tyre pattern make or is it a combination of heavier ply, wall strength and grippier tread that is important as well as lowered pressure????

[RPP Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RPP]

Did Googs Track, the North Flinders and a few Coorong beach runs on Grandtreks. They attracted a few punctures tho.

Punctures are your biggest risk and Grandtreks have flimsy sidewalls and webbing. At low pressures the sidewalls are begging to be punctured.
I run Toyo RTs off-road and on gravel highways, triple ply sidewalls and sidewall lugs designed to impede rocks and stakes. They are heavy and noisy tho.

I would find an LT All Terrain with triple ply sidewalls. Stay with the factory size unless you really need that extra lift.

[Daniel150 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Daniel150]

Hi mate.
Any decent brand all terrain is fine. (Nitto, toyo, bfg, cooper, kuhmo, wrangler etc). They will all have their fans and are all good tyres.
Grandtreks are built light for economy, handling and road noise. The tread pattern in sand is not important but the heavier tyre and side wall is for avoiding punctures and tearing.
Change all 5 as you need the same tyre for a spare with all wheel drives to avoid overheating the diff oils.
I’ve never had anything but factory alloys and with the right driving and pressure they are no problems.
It’s a great trip, a lot of rocky roads that could potentially be nasty on the factory grandtreks.
If you have a lift, I’d definitely look at the 265/70r17 size to give you a slightly better footprint and tyre availability.
Enjoy the drive!!!

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Ditch the Grandtreks. Rubbish. The problem is not the desert but rather the crap,stoney. roads surrounding it. Don't waste money on the steel wheels as they are not needed. I have done extensive desert travel on both the BFGs and Cooper AT3. Both good. Run at 18psi HOT in the dunes and be prepared to go lower. On the surrounding roads run at 28psi HOT and keep your speed down around 80kph even though the road looks better. Unseen stones are tyre killers and the faster you go the less chance of seeing the sharp pointed ones which will punch through the tread. Keep your weight down as low as possible. Get 5 tyres and stay with the standard size. Going up a size will cost you fuel economy. Enjoy the trip.