CRASH TEST DUMMIES
TYRE DEATH MATCH O U R I N - H O U S E A U T O M O T I V E E X P E R T S , WA R W I C K L E S L I E O F ALU-CAB AND NIC SCHWERDTFEGER OF REZLO RACING WEIGH IN O N A L L -T E R R A I N T Y R ES Photos Nic Schwerdtfeger, Flanker (CC. tyre code)
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UNCLE WARRELS Maxxis Razr AT
UNCLE NIC BF Goodrich AT
Uncle Warrels and Uncle Nic, I have just invested in my first proper 4x4 (a sweet Landcruiser 76) and I want some advice on which tyres to go for? It’s going to be used both in the city for regular weekday driving and off-road in the country on weekends and holidays. Is there a tyre that hits that sweetspot? Kevin the Adventurer from Kloof (KAK).
NIC: Hang on. What sidewall ply is this naaier tyre? Why would I buy this over a new 3-ply sidewall BFG?
WARRELS: Well KAK, until recently there were only two real options, BFGoodrich (aka BFGs) and Cooper. I have used both, but more of the Cooper. BFGs chip, and Coopers need a lot of TLC, balancing etc.
NIC: I’ll have to read a bit before I decapitate Warrels with my rebuttal.
NIC: I’ve also had both. I had Cooper STT Pro Discoverers. They were like any muds, but louder. My recommendation would be the BFG AT (All Terrain). Always. But hang on. Warrels, you said until recently there were only two options. What’s changed? WARRELS: I recently had a set of the new Maxxis Razr AT fitted to my car. So far they have incredibly low road noise, great grip in the wet, and they look good. It is a good 50/50 option with the manners of a 100% on-road tyre. From my limited experience of the new Maxxis, it appears that they have moved the tech along and left the old stalwarts, BFG and Cooper, in their dust.
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WARRELS: Because it incorporates new technologies. At the risk of making you sound like an anti-vaxxer, “Do your research Nic,” because Maxxis certainly have.
THE SOUND OF A FISH EAGLE INTERSPERSED WITH DIALUP INTERWEBS NOISES AS NIC CONSULTS THE NORTH WIND, GOOGLE AND SOME TOW TRUCK DRIVERS NIC: Look, the 3-ply sidewall is essential to avoid punctures. In the advert I have seen for Maxxis it shows both a Mud Terrain and an All-Terrain and says the 3-ply sidewall is available in specific sizes. That could mean the Mud Terrain only or the All Terrain only. It will be interesting if they cleared up which one actually has the 3-ply sidewall. As far as I know, on BF 80s, KO 2s and KO 3s - they all come with a 3-ply sidewall, which is why they are better. Another thing to consider is that Maxxis is very new on the 4x4 scene. Yes, they made the Bighorn, but it’s going to take a lot of work to convince guys that are into proper overlanding who want an AT tyre to go away from a brand like
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