KL Trailhawk Tyres

[lujabe]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the input - ended up glong with the Bridgestone Duelers. In this size not an LT construction, but as best I can gather the Duelers are a bit beefier than a typical passenger construction, so hopefully they'll hold up ok (seems to be very little in LT construction in the OE size on KL Trailhawk). Very happy with them so far - ride quality is barely different from the stock tyres, a little more tyre whine - but not enough to care about. I was torn between the Geolandar ATS and the Duelers, but was quoted $260 a piece on the Duelers so really couldn't pass them up at that price.

[lenoir]

Originally Posted by lujabe

Hi guys,

Thanks for the input - ended up glong with the Bridgestone Duelers.

How are you finding the Duelers? Happy with them so far?

[lujabe]

Yeah, very happy with them. Done about 6,000 km on them so far - as mentioned you're aware of them due to a little tyre whine, but I don't find it intrusive at all. On dry bitumen I didn't really detect much difference in ride/handling/traction compared to the original tyres (which IMO are pretty respectable on bitumen). Well, that is after I let about 12 psi out of them - tyre shop inflated them to 45 psi for some reason... Traction in the wet is good - not as good as the originals - but I'd rate them well for A/T's. Handling and braking is still confident in the wet and they haven't ever given me unexpected surprises.

Off-road - only done a few runs of 'medium' off road in dry conditions so far - so not much of a challenge for A/T tyres, but zero to complain about there - they just grip and walk over. That said, I was grateful to have them over the standard road tyres. Likewise no complaints on fast dirt roads and corrugations.

The better test will be a trip planned in June - oodnadatta track, mereenie loop, palm valley, etc. I'll probably let a few psi out of them for these roads for a bit more compliance over stones and corrugations.

I also expected an impact on fuel economy, but I've been averaging between 11-12 litres/100km over a mix of highway use and peak hour commuting in suburban Melbourne - so I'm actually pretty happy with fuel consumption given the vehicle weight and available power.

On top of all that, the beefier look and white lettering adds a bit more presence to the Trailhawk, I think.

All in all, if I had my time over, I'd buy them again.

[KKnut]

I'd like to see a pic of your Trailhawk with the ATs, sounds like it would look allot tougher than the usual KLs.

[NTRubicon]

Originally Posted by KKnut

I'd like to see a pic of your Trailhawk with the ATs, sounds like it would look allot tougher than the usual KLs.

Agreed. I'd like to see it in the flesh when you get to Alice if possible.

[lujabe]

As requested

[lujabe]

Originally Posted by NTRubicon

Agreed. I'd like to see it in the flesh when you get to Alice if possible.

Ok, still firming up dates but will be there around the 23rd, probably staying down at Temple Bar - seems like it'd be a bit less cramped than camping in the van parks in Alice...