4x4 Sand Tires
What locally available sand tires are recommended (my 2002 4-door Pajero that I just bought has the original Bridgestone Dueler H/T 265/R70-16 tires on it. On a previous 4x4 (Landrover Defender 110), I have used the old style heavy lug (noisy) Michelin tires (XS), some Yokahama copies and ended up with Sumitoma Shaheen Sand Tires (quiet), which were great in the sand but I was always a little nervous in the rocky wadi's in Saudi). After a few hours driving around Al-Salwa Road today, I am only seeing regular treaded tires, predominately from BF Goodrich, Yokohama and Dunlop. Any opinions, suggestions or comments?
Sand tyres are absolute pants on asphalt and should be banned here. Don't get me wrong, sand tyres are great ... as a second set to use on sand only, but most folk leave them on permanently - big mistake! Their high profile sidewalls offer little resistance under cornering and give the car a 'vague' feel and a tendancy towards understeer.
95% or more of your driving will be on roads, so go for road tyres from the get go. I use Bridgestone Duelers - a good all round M+S tyre - not that you get much S out here!!!