I recently picked up an LR3 that I will be using for off-roading and road tripping. It currently has 265/60/18’s. I’m looking to get a little bit bigger rubber if possible for off roading-considering 275/65/18’s. I don’t have rods on it yet, but will consider getting them if needed. I have heard that if I go to 275/65/18 if i have a suspension fault I will not be able to limp back home. Is this the case? I’d rather lose a bit of off road capability and still be able to drive it back. Looking for advice/thoughts on size/which tires.

 

Don't get rods, get the IIDTool and set up a taller EAS setting. I run 275/65R18s half of the year. There are very few EAS failures that would result in real trouble, but it's possible...like a sudden compressor death or a hole in one of the airbags. So go with an OD of 31.5" if you want to be safer...

 

265/60/18 or 265/65/18 (slightly deflated) if you want to carry the spare underneath, 275/65/18 is probably the next best size apart from needing to carry the spare on the roof or on a wheel carrier.

 

Ok, I’ll consider getting it. Seems like there are a lot of benefits to it. If not this season then maybe next.

Aaah, I didn’t think of that - kind of added cost to put a carrier on, unless there’s a cheap option for throwing it on the roof? Worst case I suppose in the back of the vehicle but that seems kinda ridiculous- although there is a ton of space in these.

 

I run 275/65R18 half of the year. I throw my spare in the boot and it's no biggie. It's easy to build a load on top of the spare. Then again mine is a 5 seater so that space is always for cargo only and it's half the year. The rest of the time I roll on stock sized Nokians.

 

Do you have rods or the IID tool? Or run it on 275/65/18s stock?

 

I used to run rods but once I got up to speed on the IIDTool I never used them again. I run around town stock...I don't use Access height but don't need to either. When I get to the trail head, I simply pop in my GAP tool and select my saved (higher) setting and away I go. This allows me to only run with a higher suspension setting when necessary. It's the way to go....

 

Ok, sounds good, thanks. I will definitely be getting the IIDTool down the road. Is there any other recommendations or advice you’d have on which brand/tires to get for a combination of off road and on road for road trips?

 

Stick with a good all terrain, they'll cover most situations apart from deep sticky mud. Where i am its mostly dirt/mud/rock with some snow, sand is a few hours drive.

 

I'd go with Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs or BFG KO2s, or see what Cooper has to offer in an AT.

That is only based on brand reputation and my own success with those brands. I have run Goodyear Wrangler MT/Rs in the past (loved them) and currently run Cooper Discoverer STT Pros...but both of those are full on traction tires, not ATs. I ran Cooper Zeons in the past. I liked them, but wanted a beefier tire eventually and wound up getting a 2nd set of rims to mount my stock-sized Nokians on. The Zeons are pretty nice...they had sidewall cracking issues a long while back; I believe those have been resolved. Also, you can fit a 285/60R18 and those look really nice on the LR3. Just a bit wider and at 31.5" OD you will fit them more easily (though I'd still get the GAP tool) and you might even get that spare to fit underneath if you air it down.

Hope this helps.