Hey everyone,

I’ve got an 05 LR3 currently running 265/65/18s with a 2-inch rod lift — no issues at all so far. I’m planning to start towing a 22-foot camper, so I’m going back to stock height for better towing stability. Since it’s time for new tires anyway, I’m wondering if I should downsize to 265/60/18 in case of an air suspension failure, just to make sure I’ve got enough clearance. Is there any real risk of the 265/65/18s hitting the bump stops if the suspension deflates completely? I’ve never had an issue so far even with the suspension fully lowered, but I want to make sure before buying new tires. I still plan to do some light off-roading (the Wrangler handles the heavy stuff).

Thanks in advance for any advice or experience!

 

I have towed with both 265/60/18 and 265/65/18
Only maybe 1-3x per year, but the difference was definitely noticeable between these 2 sizes

I highly recommend 265/60/18 for towing
less weight, better MPG, less struggling up hills, easier to fit spare underneath, easier to fit the detachable hitch, easier to attach the safety chains

Just make sure they are XL rated, and I don't think you will have any regrets

 

Thanks, that is what I am going to do. The Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail® AT seems reasonable priced at about $270 CDN a tire (I am in Canada) and is an XL. However the Sailun RT or AT2's are tempting at just over $200 a tire (both XL)

 

I regularly tow with 265/65/18's without issue but the TDV6 has the torque to handle the extra diameter without many trade-off's , they still clear when on the bumpstops.

 

I have the 4.4 v8. How much weight are you towing?

 

Around 1500kg.

 

Yep . . your TDV6 + 3300 lbs will feel very different than my 4.4V8 + ~5500 lbs

Man I wish we could have had a diesel option in the states

 

How bad was it towing with the 65/18s? Still trying to decide. Using a curt hitch so full size spare will need to. Just want to be sure me to still need to be deflated either way.

 

I currently have the 265/65
I won't say it's horrible (I put up with the trade-offs)
It's just not as easy as the 265/60 experience for the reasons I gave

Fitting the removable hitch and safety chains against the 265/65 full size spare takes effort
but even with your Curt (or those who dont tow), you will still have the extra effort cramming the mostly deflated full size spare underneath

 

After two blowouts with passenger tires, I switched and I am now running Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT Lt 265/60/18 E/10PLY BSW on the overlander.
ALSO

Just think, 4 more years and the Discovery 3 will be 25 years old and you too can import a right hand drive diesel engine car here in the states. Maybe even with a manual transmission.