Ensure that the tyres fitted to Up Armoured Vehicles have the correct pressure rating. These tyres (photo below) have a max pressured 44 psi where the tyre pressures have to be 55 front and 60 rear. … [Read more...]
Why a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System is Important
A recent long trip reinforced the importance of having a tyre pressure monitoring system fitted. The tyre picked up a roofing nail and the system warned of low pressure soon after. … [Read more...]
Taking Care of Your Tyres
Take care of your tyres and they will take care of you. … [Read more...]
My thoughts on Bridgestone Blizzaks
I had never been much of a fan of Bridgestone Tyres until we did training in Kyrgyzstan in -30 conditions. … [Read more...]
Check Your Tire Pressures
In our 4x4 training courses, we emphasise the importance of tyres. Regular inspections are vital for continued and efficient performance of vehicles. If you don't have time to inspect your vehicle fully, then at least check your tyres. Why? Look at the place where the tyre touches the ground and estimate how much is making good contact with the road surface. You will find that it is about the size of your open hand. Essentially, four of these hand prints are keeping your vehicle in contact … [Read more...]
The Differences Between Radial and Cross-Ply Tyres
I was inspired to revisit this subject by a "late night" conversation with friends who had just fitted cross-ply tyres to their vehicles without realizing it. Many 4x4 owners still go for this option either for tradition, cost or just blind faith in the information given by the tyre dealer. In reality they are a false economy and they are not as safe as radial tyres. Radial Tyres and Road Safety If we look at the history of tyres we find that all tyres were of cross-ply manufacturing process … [Read more...]
Get A Grip On Tire Selection – Radial or Cross-ply Tires?
When I first came to Uganda, the choice of tyres was limited to either Firestone Translug or Firestone Translug! So, you were forced into a situation of having to pay over the odds for tyres that were, many times, unsuitable for the work that was expected of them. I was working for a project that was primarily operating in Southern Sudan, where the roads were poor, to say the least. This particular Firestone model, being a cross-ply (bias-ply) tyre was suited for the harsh demands of that … [Read more...]