Jeep Action Magazine’s Glenn Jackson shows off his Land Rover Defender and tells us about his experiences with Couragia A/T tyres:
“Much to my disbelief, I never thought I’d find a tyre that felt as good as the Michelin’s, those whom have owned Rovers for years would realise that these tyres were made to fit hand in glove with Range Rovers and Defenders.
The new Federal A/T Couragia’s haven’t rolled huge kilometers as yet, but at around 10,000k’s they feel very, very good on both tarmac and gravel roads and a lot more solid to say the least. After fitment, the first trip the next day was from home via Coffs Harbour then west to Scone. The road over is by no means good, very windy, pot holed and uneven. Tyre pressures were checked hot after 500km’s with only a 2lb rise in pressure, impressive, yes but it now had me wondering why as others raise around four and even up to six!
The hardtop Defender was loaded with general camping gear, 74 litre fridge/freezer and 100amp battery, Swags etc, etc. These tyres were found to be quite on tarmac as well as being stable at high speed travelling on loose, deep gravel including patches of bad corrugations, they proved to be trusting and very predictable. Even with rear shock absorbers needing replacement, at no time did the vehicle become twitchy or skitterish it just drove as per normal much to my being ready for the surprising duck and dive here or there!
The Federals traction also surprised me on the damp hard clay packed forestry roads especially considering the rain we have had on the Mid North Coast. For an all-terrain pattern there open centre tread is shining through, I could feel the positive action in grip. Dry off-road and rocky terrain on hills found them to perform exceptional also.
Other brands previously used that had a square styled sidewall pattern similar to the Federal, were found to track badly, following the ridges and long pressure holes on poor roads of which the Dorrigo/Armidale road exceeds in! These tyres do not appear to affect the Defender in anyway badly, which in turn provides me with a feeling of confidence when behind the wheel. Tyre problems are always in the back of ones mind when traveling or when my wife is using it for daily driving to and from work, so far I don’t even think to worry.
Every day used this vehicle travels on gravel roads, rainforest bitumen roads that can vary from wet to dry patches on any corner of any day and hilly windy tarmac. They also feel very stable and sure footed in the wet weather which comes as a real good safety benefit.
On all accounts I am very happy with the handling and positive feel that ensures ones mind to feeling safer on and off the road.”
Glenn Jackson
Jeep Action Magazine
Photographer/Editorial/Advertising
