I did a sand dune tour in Namibia a year ago and really battled with my Navara. I then took the 2.5 diesel out and put in a 4.0-litre Lexus motor with a 5-speed auto box. I also took off the BF Goodrich 265/70 R16 all-terrains and put on a set of 285/70 R17 Achilles full mud-terrains.

I now have excellent 4×4 capabilities but on pull-away the bakkie seems to battle. Once I am over 2500rpm the going is good. Fuel consumption is about 7.5km/l which I guess is not too bad.

I love doing sand trips, and while the vehicle is not bad, it struggles to gain enough speed for dunes despite the V8 which is well tuned. Now I know it’s my tyres. Should I go back to a 16-inch, and if so, what brand, what size and what type of tyre. I do have a spare set of Cooper tires 265/75 R16s.

[Johan Tyres]

Johan Tyres on 11th June 2018 at 2:46 pm

The overall tyre diameter on the 285.70 R17 = 830.8 and the 265/75 R16 = 803.9 – so I would revert back to the 16-inch tyres. If you do a lot of sand driving then I would use two-ply tyres – what brand is all up to you.