All terrain tyres - recommendations and pictures
- Thread starter TeamT
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Falken Wildpeak AT3. Sorry I forget not everyone has spent hours (if not days) thinking about van tyres
235/65/17 seem to be an almost perfect match for van coded for 17" wheels. If you were 16" from new then the speedo will under read with the 235's. You can change the settings via VCDS but this appears to be a one way ticket on the T6.1...
I'm sure that the 225/65/17 would be ok but may still be a little out if you had 16's originally. Try the sizes on willtheyfit.com. The speedo on most vans seem to be about 5-6% optimistic as standard. Any tyre sizes that give less than a 6% speedo error over the original fitment should still read on the safe side.
I've got 235/65/17 AT3's on my van. I've not needed to test them fully off road yet but, our recently acquired pick up, which came with 245/70/16 AT3's, has seen more action. There's no doubt that they wouldn't keep up with a dedicated off road tyre. However, for a tyre so well mannered and quiet on the road it's genuinely surprising how well they cope. The pick up is our tow vehicle for horse event duties and regularly sees muddy farm tracks and grassy hillsides with 2000kg+ being towed behind. 4wd obviously helps (the van isn't) but we rarely need to switch from rear wheel drive.
I've limited experience with other tyres for direct comparison but, given how well my van tyres are lasting, I'm struggling to see the point in more expensive alternatives.
Falken Wildpeak make some good tyres at a very reasonable price. I do not use them my self, but using BFG AT KO2 255/55R18XL . Falken Wild Peak have some good reviews.
I also spent a long time looking into AT tyres for Winter, including green laning use.
I went for 225/65 r17s, fitted onto my newly satin black powder coated Devonport Winter wheels.
As I have a LWB T6 Kombi T32 I couldn’t fit the Falken Wildpeak AT3s as they are only load rated at 102 and T32s need minimum 103, unless you have van downplated to slightly lower maximum axle loads.
In the end I decided, living in Wiltshire, that I would manage without AT3s, which are 3 Peaks Mud and Snowflake.
I found Avon AX7 and their twin, Cooper Discoverer ATT. They are both AT M+S and 106H XL rated.
Some sizes of the Coopers have very recently been AT3 3pkmsf rated, but not as yet the 225/65 r17s.
Hope this helps.
Andy
Edited to 17” instead of 27” tyres!!
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Alexander4699
Member
Are you lowered at all?
Check both the 225 and 235 are load rated for vans. That might be the bigger difference.
I have 235/45/18 and the speedo now reads close to GPS speed. Probably 235/65/17 will be thereabouts too.
Mine is a T32 LWB Kombi, with -50mm H&R load rated springs, now with Koni Special short shocks and struts from @CRS Performance.
Ride heights from wheel centres to top of arches are 390 front & 410 rear, very lightly loaded, almost empty.
So, actually down around 70mm front & 60mm rear from new.
Edited to latest very lightly loaded rear height.
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Alexander4699
Member
Really appreciated - thank you. I am currently sat at 390mm all round on coilovers. Your information and photographs now confirm how my van would sit with the 225-65 profile tyre rather than the 225-60 that I have fitted currently. Thanks again for taking the time.
When new most AT tyres are not particularly noisy but as they wear they become noisier but as it happens over time it may be less obvious. Their are many different AT tyres available some patterns produce less noise than others. For tarmac use, quality All Season tyres are probably the best choice for the majority of people. AT tyres are really meant for motorist who spend at least some of their time off road. They may be just a spare set for a particular use or a main set because they spend much of their time off road for work or living some may even use Mud Terrane tyres which have even more aggressive tread patterns Their are reviews on line that may highlight some popular choices. AT tyres tend to be more expensive.
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I'm glad I'm not the only one thats done this...... the last 2 weeks spent researching on and off..... decided on Falken Wildpeaks 235/65/17 on a new set of 17x8 rims with an ET35.
Very nearly went for a set of 245/65/17 but on std T32 suspension its seems there is a very small possibility of needing to do some arch fettling and the carpet on sliding door having issues. Now just waiting for them to arrive, excited is an understatement!
Just seen your post and you got me rather worried (I have a T32 and just ordered the falkens) so I double checked.....
Falken Wildpeak AT3WA have a 108 load rating, needless to say there was a big sigh of relief!
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I want it to be fairly tight as sticking with stock suspension for now but didn't want to run the risk of hitting or having to fettle the arches just yet, so yep gone with the 235s
As for the speedo, no issues doctoring that.
The only area where it's really tight is at the rear of the rear arch, the plastic liner is within a few mm on the 245! But a bit of heat and some bending would sort that. If you're thinking of lowering at all then 235 are the right choice.I want it to be fairly tight as sticking with stock suspension for now but didn't want to run the risk of hitting or having to fettle the arches just yet, so yep gone with the 235s
As for the speedo, no issues doctoring that.
Perfect, thanks for the confirmation!
I dont want to lift it but "might drop it 20mm or so, will have a look what it looks like once the finish putting the furniture etc in it.
