Swamper question

[T6.1Mark]

I posted this on FB but it didn’t gain any traction…

Hi guys.

I’m new to this so excuse the naive questions.

I have t6.1 that still has the original 16” alloys on. I’d like to switch these out for something bigger that will fill the wheel arch better.

I’m considering the swamper look over a more sporty approach. I’m into MTB and a lot of the roads I travel are in really poor condition. The van is my daily driver and will be doing a lot of miles.

From what I’ve read on here & the T6 site 17” swamper wheels with bigger tyres is the way to go. But I also read that some brands are louder than others & some also significantly impact the mpg, traction & Speedo accuracy.

I’m located in Scotland, just outside Glasgow, so we experience wet icy roads frequently in the winter. I’m reading that AT tires might be quite poor in these conditions on a transporter?

Id rather make an informed decision from the outset and get a good looking tyre that doesn’t destroy the fuel economy or damage the vehicle long term. The BF Goodrich look good but I’ve read mixed reviews, the Yokohamas or falken wildpeak seem to be quieter and potentially more economical, any other suggestions, maye that aren’t specifically AT but still fit the swamper look.

What tire sizes should I look at for a 17” swamper wheel? Does it mater that my van is programmed to run on a 16 currently then switching to a bigger wheel/tire?

Any input on this is appreciated guys.

 

[Sasquatch]

If always found BFGs a bit noisy, personally.

If you stay close to the original rolling diameter they speedo accuracy shouldn't be too bad. One of the many online tyre size calculators will assist. I have 235/55 18 on my Swamper and it's 1mph out at 30.

You might find a set of modern all season tyres more appropriate if winter conditions are a concern, and they give some of the rugged looks you're after.

But it's excellent to see someone going the swamper route.

 

[Salty Spuds]

Michelin Agilis will give you excellent all season performance and a chunkier look. Not the full Swamper Monty, but everything is a compromise.

 

[T6.1Mark]

If always found BFGs a bit noisy, personally.

If you stay close to the original rolling diameter they speedo accuracy shouldn't be too bad. One of the many online tyre size calculators will assist. I have 235/55 18 on my Swamper and it's 1mph out at 30.

You might find a set of modern all season tyres more appropriate if winter conditions are a concern, and they give some of the rugged looks you're after.

But it's excellent to see someone going the swamper route.

Thanks for your input.

I’ll have a look into a season tyres just now. I did read that in a couple of the threads, but info can be quite conflicting there at times. I’ll also have a gander at the calculators nice one.

What’s your opinion on 18” over the 17” wheels? Is it purely ascetic or is there an impact on the feel of the ride?

 

[T6.1Mark]

Michelin Agilis will give you excellent all season performance and a chunkier look. Not the full Swamper Monty, but everything is a compromise.

Thanks for your input salty.

I seen these come up quite frequently in the threads. I guess with everything there’s a compromise. They seem quite pricey compared to other tyres. What’s the lifespan like on them?

 

[Salty Spuds]

Thanks for your input.

I’ll have a look into a season tyres just now. I did read that in a couple of the threads, but info can be quite conflicting there at times. I’ll also have a gander at the calculators nice one.

What’s your opinion on 18” over the 17” wheels? Is it purely ascetic or is there an impact on the feel of the ride?

What’s your base van weight? If it’s a t32, you’ll have a wider selection of tyres in the 17” size range. 18” are more car/SUV sizes and may not have the load rating.

 

[Sasquatch]

Ride is a tricky one as it's as much about the volume or air as it is the sidewall compliance, so going bigger wheels won't automatically make the ride harsher. I have Cooper ATs on mine and it 18 inch the ride wasn't a lot different to the standard 16s.

Have fun with the MTBing. I used to be a fairly high level instructor, MIAS and IPMBA, but now I'm 60 I'm carrying some health issues that make that tricker so I'm mainly a utility rider these days, just riding to get where I need to go.

 

[T6.1Mark]

What’s your base van weight? If it’s a t32, you’ll have a wider selection of tyres in the 17” size range. 18” are more car/SUV sizes and may not have the load rating.

It’s a t28 with the 16 inch Clayton’s currently installed.

Ok so load rating, this is something I’m going to have to explore next. Haven’t even consider this tbh.

 

[Salty Spuds]

Thanks for your input salty.

I seen these come up quite frequently in the threads. I guess with everything there’s a compromise. They seem quite pricey compared to other tyres. What’s the lifespan like on them?

I’m 10k miles in & showing hardly any wear. I’d expect 40k miles from a set. We use our van for skiing/launching a boat/exploring the off beaten track in Europe (currently heading to Andorra), I’m very impressed with the tyres. The van is a 4mot too, so that’s helps

 

[Sasquatch]

Load rating isn't likely to be an issue on a T28. If memory serves on a SWB it's 1550kg max load per axle, so a standard rating in the 800-900kg ballpark will legally and safely accommodate that.

 

[T6.1Mark]

Load rating isn't likely to be an issue on a T28. If memory serves on a SWB it's 1550kg max load per axle, so a standard rating in the 800-900kg ballpark will legally and safely accommodate that.

Thanks buddy

 

[Fivetones]

I’m considering the switch from low on 20s (255/35) to slightly low on 17s.

I have similar concerns re: the actual performance of tyres like the Falken Wildpeak AT3WA. It has the look but my head says Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV (235/65 17). These seems to grip better for most conditions and are more efficient. They don’t look as rugged though. It’s a pity that Michelin Agilis CrossClimate are only available in 235/60 17 and seem to be pricier. There’s a CrossClimate 3 due to be released in July (2025) too.

I’ve yet to make the decision.

This thread is useful if you’ve not run through it yet. It doesn’t have the above considerations in the thread though.

https://www.t6forum.com/threads/show-us-your-17s

 

[DaveD]

I posted this on FB but it didn’t gain any traction…

Hi guys.

I’m new to this so excuse the naive questions.

I have t6.1 that still has the original 16” alloys on. I’d like to switch these out for something bigger that will fill the wheel arch better.

I’m considering the swamper look over a more sporty approach. I’m into MTB and a lot of the roads I travel are in really poor condition. The van is my daily driver and will be doing a lot of miles.

From what I’ve read on here & the T6 site 17” swamper wheels with bigger tyres is the way to go. But I also read that some brands are louder than others & some also significantly impact the mpg, traction & Speedo accuracy.

I’m located in Scotland, just outside Glasgow, so we experience wet icy roads frequently in the winter. I’m reading that AT tires might be quite poor in these conditions on a transporter?

Id rather make an informed decision from the outset and get a good looking tyre that doesn’t destroy the fuel economy or damage the vehicle long term. The BF Goodrich look good but I’ve read mixed reviews, the Yokohamas or falken wildpeak seem to be quieter and potentially more economical, any other suggestions, maye that aren’t specifically AT but still fit the swamper look.

What tire sizes should I look at for a 17” swamper wheel? Does it mater that my van is programmed to run on a 16 currently then switching to a bigger wheel/tire?

Any input on this is appreciated guys.

Although A/T tyres are durable and of course, great off road, they are always going to be sub optimal on tarmac so braking distances on tarmac will invariably be worse than a normal road biased tyre - that's not something I could tolerate.
You might be interested in this thread;

Thread 'Real world - road vs all season vs light A/T tyres on the ROAD'

13 Feb 2023

I have a T6.1 full Campervan conversion currently fitted with 20" wheels and Haida ditchfinders. I live where HS2 meets EWR and the roads are utterly destroyed all around the area, so am looking for something more robust and comfortable in the form of 17's and some bigger tyres. The van isnt used daily but we like to use it year round all over the UK and certainly plenty of poorer roads in the all the usual destinations. Driving is probably 90% road and then 10% rough lanes, campsites, off road parking spots etc.

I am trying to understand the real world difference of swapping to...

• Bigpikle
• Replies: 30
• Forum: Wheels & Tyres

• 

 

[Sasquatch]

True to some degree, but that's a bit of a generalisation. Some have quite a road bias with a more continuous tread pattern, and others are so aggressive they're verging on being mud tyres.

Performance between different makes and model of tyre is very variable, to the point where it is simply untrue to say that every road/summer tyre will out perform every AT tyre on the tarmac. In many specific cases that will be true, but far from universal. Such matters can only be decided in a specific model-to-mofel comparison.

Cooper, for example, do three different types of AT and I chose the most road biased. Likely a lesser mud and snow capacitofever the most aggressive type, but on tarmac they're far better than the OE Contineal commercial road boots made from finest bakelite, and that's beyond any shadow of a doubt (BITD I held a Home Office service test ticket so do actually have formal training in how-to assess such things. Mind you, half an hour ago I thought it was 2024 so decrepitude may well be creeping in.)

 

[T6.1Mark]

I’m considering the switch from low on 20s (255/35) to slightly low on 17s.

I have similar concerns re: the actual performance of tyres like the Falken Wildpeak AT3WA. It has the look but my head says Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV (235/65 17). These seems to grip better for most conditions and are more efficient. They don’t look as rugged though. It’s a pity that Michelin Agilis CrossClimate are only available in 235/60 17 and seem to be pricier. There’s a CrossClimate 3 due to be released in July (2025) too.

I’ve yet to make the decision.

This thread is useful if you’ve not run through it yet. It doesn’t have the above considerations in the thread though.

https://www.t6forum.com/threads/show-us-your-17s

Thanks for your input & I appreciate you adding a link. I’ll get a look at that shortly.

Would the 65 not be suitable due to your plan in lowering the van?

I haven’t started reading into suspension & lowering/raising etc. I guess my plan is to do the wheels & windows first, then the camper camper conversion and return to the suspension then and see what’s needing done.

Although A/T tyres are durable and of course, great off road, they are always going to be sub optimal on tarmac so braking distances on tarmac will invariably be worse than a normal road biased tyre - that's not something I could tolerate.
You might be interested in this thread;

Thread 'Real world - road vs all season vs light A/T tyres on the ROAD'

13 Feb 2023

I have a T6.1 full Campervan conversion currently fitted with 20" wheels and Haida ditchfinders. I live where HS2 meets EWR and the roads are utterly destroyed all around the area, so am looking for something more robust and comfortable in the form of 17's and some bigger tyres. The van isnt used daily but we like to use it year round all over the UK and certainly plenty of poorer roads in the all the usual destinations. Driving is probably 90% road and then 10% rough lanes, campsites, off road parking spots etc.

I am trying to understand the real world difference of swapping to...

• Bigpikle
• Replies: 30
• Forum: Wheels & Tyres

• 

thanks for sharing that link, interesting read indeed.

I agree with you, I’m not whiling to compromise on safety for style. Feels like all season tyres are the way to go.

 

[Fivetones]

The 65 profile should be fine for 20-30mm lowering that I plan. I’m 110mm lower at the moment so it’ll feel like a massive lift to me.

You have some entertaining reading in the thread I’ve linked to if you need suspension info too

As you might be able to tell I’ve more or less decided on CrossClimates. Just found this very recent review of CrossClimate 3 (from 4 days ago): Michelin CrossClimate 3 And CrossClimate 3 Sport - Tyre Reviews And Ratings

 

[Richard T6.1]

Not aiming to kick any cans but this might be of interest to some.

The ADAC in Germany recently test 8 AT tires together with a well known German YouTuber on campers, Fan4van. The ADAC is quite respected in Germany and something like the RAC/AA in the UK (I think). The tires were tested on a Transporter in a 'swamper size' and on a 4x4 pickup. The AT tires were also compared to one of the better All Season tires currently available, the Pirelli Cinturato SF3.

All-Terrain-Reifen für Camper und Pick-ups im ADAC Test: Blender oder Alleskönner?

All-Terrain-Reifen sollen mit ihrem groben Profil für alle Lebenslagen passen. Sind sie wirklich für Camper, Pick-ups und SUVs zu empfehlen?

www.adac.de

(Google/Safari translate and subtitles work fine for the text and video)

The tyres tested:

• Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015
• Falken Wildpeak A/T AT3WA
• General Tire Grabber AT3
• Matador MP72 Izzarda A/T2
• Pirelli Scorpion A/T+
• Toyo Open Country A/T III
• Bridgestone Dueler A/T002
• BF Goodrich Trail Terrain T/A

I think the footage and text speak for themselves.

I know there probably will be responses along the lines of 'tests like this' are nonsense, biased, payed for, not representing 'real' roads (or real mud) etc. etc. but still worth a look and read imo!

 

[Fivetones]

It was these series of tests that put me off the Falken.

 

[Salty Spuds]

Not aiming to kick any cans but this might be of interest to some.

The ADAC in Germany recently test 8 AT tires together with a well known German YouTuber on campers, Fan4van. The ADAC is quite respected in Germany and something like the RAC/AA in the UK (I think). The tires were tested on a Transporter in a 'swamper size' and on a 4x4 pickup. The AT tires were also compared to one of the better All Season tires currently available, the Pirelli Cinturato SF3.

All-Terrain-Reifen für Camper und Pick-ups im ADAC Test: Blender oder Alleskönner?

All-Terrain-Reifen sollen mit ihrem groben Profil für alle Lebenslagen passen. Sind sie wirklich für Camper, Pick-ups und SUVs zu empfehlen?

www.adac.de

(Google/Safari translate and subtitles work fine for the text and video)

The tyres tested:

• Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015
• Falken Wildpeak A/T AT3WA
• General Tire Grabber AT3
• Matador MP72 Izzarda A/T2
• Pirelli Scorpion A/T+
• Toyo Open Country A/T III
• Bridgestone Dueler A/T002
• BF Goodrich Trail Terrain T/A

I think the footage and text speak for themselves.

I know there probably will be responses along the lines of 'tests like this' are nonsense, biased, payed for, not representing 'real' roads (or real mud) etc. etc. but still worth a look and read imo!

Currently abroad on dodgy wifi. What’s the overall gist of the test?

 

[Kind of Blue]

I hope that Richard T6.1: is not offended but for those lacking in language skills it might be better to follow from this link and use the speech translator.