Just how much can the dunlops take?

[Casper]

Finally!!!! A place where i could finally use the 4runner for what i wanted. Spent about 2 hours today at Red Rock Canyon here in Vegas and found that there was a 4x4 road that was off the scenic drive (nice drive by the way) and after walking some light trails myself, i thought i would give this 4x4 road a bit of a jaunt with the 4runner. Well things were going well untill it suddenly got a bit rough... uphill (1-2degree slope), washout with 1-2' rocks to climb over on top of loose gravel.

Since it was my first experience i didnt really go to far into the rough stuff, as im not that experienced but also i remembered alot of people talking about the limitations of the Dunlops....at what point would "enough be enough" with them? I want to change them but im not about to rip them off just yet so that i can go more into the rough.

I am certainly going to go back but wanted to know how venturous people had gotten with the dunlops and not had troubles.

 

[chiefiji]

i've taken the stock bridgestones out to death valley and big bear where the conditions are similar to red rock canyon. the stockers have taken a beating since i've gotten the truck and are still fine for my commute (amazingly). they've got about 23k on them and will probably have 7-8k miles left in them.

i've been to red rock canyon once and it seems like with sensible driving and aired down tires, the dunlops should be able to make it. just like your case though, we decided to turn around because my friend was afraid that his stock tires wouldnt make (plus the t4r wasn't his). i wonder if we got stuck at the same place.

i dont remember if the big bear and death valley trip pics are posted here but you can look through them. 04runner (mark) sported the dunlops on both trips and came out fine. i'd definitely would like to give red rock another crack.

 

[JB.]

Finally!!!! A place where i could finally use the 4runner for what i wanted. Spent about 2 hours today at Red Rock Canyon here in Vegas and found that there was a 4x4 road that was off the scenic drive (nice drive by the way) and after walking some light trails myself, i thought i would give this 4x4 road a bit of a jaunt with the 4runner. Well things were going well untill it suddenly got a bit rough... uphill (1-2degree slope), washout with 1-2' rocks to climb over on top of loose gravel.

Since it was my first experience i didnt really go to far into the rough stuff, as im not that experienced but also i remembered alot of people talking about the limitations of the Dunlops....at what point would "enough be enough" with them? I want to change them but im not about to rip them off just yet so that i can go more into the rough.

I am certainly going to go back but wanted to know how venturous people had gotten with the dunlops and not had troubles.

You must be talking about Rocky Gap/Potato Road. In February, when my 4runner was almost brand new I took a few progressively longer runs up it each cut short by lack of daylight (day sleeper). The first three runs were with stock Bridgestones and they handled the rocks well. Stock tires are very tough, it's just that sidewall punctures are more of a risk than with LTs. I finally made the pass, but that was after I had the BFGs. I was new to off-roading at the time and making the pass brought my confidence way up. I then decided to try the pass from the other side. It's rougher and I didn't make it. My recollection is that I would need a lift to make it, however, with my ever improving eye for lines, I need to try it again stock.

This pic look familiar?

 

[Casper]

thats exactly it guys....

Yeah i know that stuff like that is rough for the stock tires, and i cant wait to get something to be able to handle the more aggressive stuff..but just knowing that some people made it with something more aggressive than the dunlop AT's....that doesnt give me a whole lot of confidence in them but none the less, i might as well beat them to death, im not a big fan of them anyway.

 

[Expat]

Your not doing mud work are ya? Mostly rocks/dirt/sand?

The worst that can really happen is your get a blow-out/puncture at very slow speeds.

Just make sure you have a spare and a way to lift the truck to swap the wheel over.

Better security might be two spares if you're really worried.

I think people complain about the Dunlops unfairly.

As mentioned above, I have been beating on them pretty hard for a year now and they have performed admirably. That's not to say I wouldn't mind some Revos but I'm not throwing away tires that have good mileage on them. From my sig you can see I've done some trails and I think I can squeeze another two trips out of the Dunlops before swapping over. I currently have 25,000miles on the tires and the only real obvious damage is to the white lettering

 

[Casper]

Nope...no mud. Its doesnt rain enough out here in Vegas to get mud most of the time.

I think over the next day or two I might head back up to Red Rock and go at it.

 

[chiefiji]

take pics and post em. let us know how it goes!