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Comon Darin - Lets hear your reasons... L.O.L.

lol, I think we've all heard them before?

Befor Darin has his say let me say in the past i have been dead against raising the tyre size untill i saw the range of tyres available in the 37" range for to long we have been getting screwed in the prices of the tyres we are currently useing and maybe by opening it up to a much larger range of tyres it would help control prices (flame suit on)..Steve

This is one that I think people should do a bit of investigation on. If you want to keep having a default control tyre then keep the current rule. However there are a huge range of tyres available in the 37" range and there are more coming available all the time. 35" is not a popular size so the range is limited. The other thing to consider is a wider tyre in the 35" range as that brings in a few more as well.
Does anyone wonder why the current size is 36.5 and not 35.5. It was changed when the 36" Simex was realease and that is bigger than 36. Austalia went this way when Pro-Comp sponsorsed the OBC.
Maxxis are making big inroads into the NZ tyre market and they have some very good tyres just out of reach of our current rule. We can't even talk to them about sponsorship when their tyres aren't allowed because of an old rule.
The other thing to consider we can currently use Super Swamper Iroks as they fit with in the rule as do some other SS that are just under 36.5 but no one has since Grant Guy and Roger Mackay did. Is this because ultimate tyre size isn't as import as a good allround tyre?
As the current rule stands we can use BFG Krawlers once they are half worn but not new!
You can use Maxxis Trepador Radials but not the crossply version.
You can use SS Irok radials but not the crossply version.
etc
I don't think there is a tyre out there that is a better allround tyre than a 35x11.5 ET and there is a bigger tyre in the same brand etc etc.
The reason review process is has been developed is so that you all can talk about this and also you have time to make your decision based upon fact. At the end of the discussion, it will come back to what everyone wants and not to a few people pushing their own agendas.
So let hear some constructive coments for or against but remember this isn't happening for next year so don't focus on this small point.

If we are to consider this what width tyre are we talking about also ,I understood that no-one is useing the irok as they are to wide to go through the gauge if it was used so maybe the width should be looked at also..Steve
Ps Not wanting to be picky but what would look more road legal a nissan / toyota with a radiator in the back or a Suzuki or Hilux on 37s
[Modified by: stephen reed on November 07, 2008 12:11 PM]

A strong part of the reasoning for holding the tyre size as it is, has been the overall feeling in a lot of 4x4 circles in NZ that the continued up-sizing of tyres does nothing for our environmental image. Areas where the big tyres have been used are often churned up to a depth that limits any effective use by other vehicles on smaller tyres. Our soil types are usually much softer that those where the tyres were developed for. Many of the big tyres are aimed at rock use where the size makes it easier to get over obstacles but they don't dig down.

If it can be demonstrated that a small increase in size brings a greater choice and lower prices then it might be justified but the whole argument is self perpetuating and the rule as it stands was to draw a line in the sand.

I really hope that the tyre size would get smaller than larger as the gearing and body changes surrounding the larger tyres far outway the tyre costs.

I really hope that the tyre size would get smaller than larger as the gearing and body changes surrounding the larger tyres far outway the tyre costs.

Its at 36.5 now. correct? And we all run one tyre, at our choice. And going up half an inch will include Maxxis, BFG and Swappers in to out mix? Giving more choices and more competition for manufactures, thus better prices for us. Sounds good to me.

But wait theres more.

If you want to run the biggest tyre, then basically you have one choice, a 36" simex. I notice a lot of people dont run the 36 even though they have that choice. Many run the 35" simex.

Still limited to simex you might say. Well lets reduce the size limit to 35.5. You still have a 35" maxxis to run, or a radial 35" BFG, perhaps you would choose a 35" goodyear (or a 37" under the curent rules I believe), maybe a 35" silverstone, you can choose from a plethora of radial and bias swampers.

Seems to me there is plenty of choice, yet most people choose one tyre. Maybe its the best, maybe its good value, maybe it just looks cool. I dont know. What I know is that adding an inch or 2 or 3 wont solve anything.

You've made a good point Arron, there are plenty of options already available to us in the 35"ish size.

For me, it seems the big reason to stay at the current size limit is variety. Currently we have Nissan's, LandCruiser's, Hilux's, Zuk's Rover's all competing together and all competitive in their own right. Allowing the bigger tyres could well see a few of the Nissan or Toyota vehicles running 37's and forcing others out of contention because their weaker drive-train can't handle the bigger tyre size needed to maintain a competitive amount of diff clearance. Sure axles can be swapped for something stronger, but that's a huge cost that could well turn many away - something that's definitely not good for winch challenge.

Arron made several good points. People aren't just concerned about size as the tread pattern has alot to do with it.
Also a Rover on 35's will have the same clearance as a Nissan on 37's. So currently Nissans have a huge disadvantage, but they are still the most popular truck?
The cheapest way to get a Rovers drivetrain strong enough for 35's is to fit a GQ axle!
There has been comment about how unfactory a truck looks with 37's what about a Suzuki on 35's.
If someone turned up in a factory spec Hummer, would you let them compete?
How many Hiluxs etc are already running Nissan diffs already?
Everyone also forgets one other thing. The first year we actually recorded the results what was the vehicle that was firt overall and what size tyre was on that vehicle!!! If I remember right it was a Suzuki on 33's with an electric winch!

Quote Darin Neeley:

The first year we actually recorded the results what was the vehicle that was firt overall and what size tyre was on that vehicle!!! If I remember right it was a Suzuki on 33's with an electric winch!

...which seems to me to be exactly why we should keep the rules the way they are.

I agree with you Darin, the suzi on 35s would look in proportion with the nissan on 37s.
but the poor old hummer cant compete as it has portal axles (ok im just being a smarty pants now)

Bugger, I now see you have just coverd the portals in the radiator topic, not as smart as I thought I was.
[Modified by: Arron Eades on November 12, 2008 05:03 PM]

To suggest Simex is a “default control tyre” is just ridiculous. Are you guys forgetting about Silverstones, from memory they used to go alright? Those two tread designs simply work better in our conditions than most other tyres, hence why there are used!

To suggest we can’t approach Maxxis about sponsorship is again ridiculous. There is nothing stopping anyone from running their 35” Creepy or Trepador.

36” Iroks will fit through the 36.5 x 13.5 gauge if they’re fitted to a 7” or 8” wide beadlocked rim. They won’t work as well as compared to a 10” wide rim (which puts them outside the gauge), hence why they aren’t used any more.

For those people continually banging on about not being allowed to run 37’s where there is more choice, then go get a set of 37” Mickey Thompson Baja Claws, as they are the largest diameter tyres that will fit through the current gauge. But you probably won’t put your money where your mouth is, because they’re shit for some of our conditions.

This and the radiator rule are out there for long term discussion. No decision either way is being made untill next year so while the discussion is great, don't dwell on it as it is taking the focus off the other imediate rules changes we are looking at.

It would also be helpful if people would provide positive coments if they agree. At present many have just said no to things without saying yes to the ones they agree with! How are we to make a decision if all everyone does is express there negative opinions?

Things are going to be changed but we need help to know what. If people have such strong opinions about where the sport should be, then get off you arses and either get involved (or back involved) and give us a hand! We have put in place a more open way of dealing with rule changes so that people can see they are being dealt with fairly. This does mean that some things are going to come up that you don't agree with. If the majoirty don't want it to happen then it won't. Simple. The rules will reflect what those involved want, not what it use to be or what a few want.

One thing that can be gauranteed. Things are changing, so either lead, follow or get the hell out of the way. It doesn't matter to me which as long we get enough particpation to get the right result.

If this proposed tyre size change gets people going and gets them involved again then just maybe it's purpose has been served!! Maybe we need a few things like this that really get peoples attention to get some particpation? Just maybe sometimes you need to be a real prick about things to get a reaction? And just maybe sometimes you need to kick people in the nuts to get there attention?
[Modified by: Darin Neeley on November 13, 2008 01:28 PM]

If the objective is to reduce cost then limit tyres to 35 inch OD, save a lot in drive shaft mods and tyre costs. Having no width limit would allow for the cool factor.

I reakon you should let 40"s in so long as its powered by a 4cyl

Lol. Cool, I'll run a 2 stroke, twin turbo, 7.2litre, diesel 4 cylinder from some bulldozer! That'll turn those 40's.

Now that I'd like to see!, that would have to be a world first! 2 stroke diesel winch truck! :)
[Modified by: Trevor Russell on February 26, 2009 06:48 AM]

Lets adopt one of the Aussy rules, min tyre size 36 inches, no max size.

Changing from 36.5 to 37 inches makes no real difference to how close a vehicle looks to factory. The current rule was specifically set as is to allow the 36 inch Simex to be used. There isn't much over in the 35.5 to 36.5 range, but there are plenty of choices in the 36.5 to 37 inch range as there is in the 34 to 35 inch range. The current rule has to change, either to 37 or to 35.

And yes I have a 37 inch Trepador in the office inviting me try it out Woodhill way.