caravan tyres and rims

[darran_374315310]

Hi there, recently purchased a sterling saphire caravan and have noticed that the tyres are not of the correct rating as they have a maximum pressure rating of 36 psi and a load rating of 550kgs ( the caravans maximum laden weight is 1280 kgs and the tyres should be 50 psi.also wheel rims look like they have been replaced and i have been told that you can only fit rims that are manufactured for caravans to take the extra load .. the tyres i require are 175r 13 94n but i would like to purchase new rims and tyres to be on the safe side. can any one tell me which size rims would suit the tyres i need as i am confused by the sizes eg 4.5j & 5.5j ( what does the j stand for )and also the best place to purchase them.

Cheers

 

[rob_jax]

Darran,

Looks like you caught that one before anything happened.

Wheels:

Steel wheels should always be strong enough - you need to get the PCD, offset and rim width (J) right - but if you have an AL-KO chassis, then these are delivered as rolling units with wheels fitted.

So a visit to Towsure (www.towsure.com) or a local trailer centre (NTTA approved) should provide you with the correct steel wheels for an AL-KO chassis.

Alloy wheels are a different story - these should have their maximum load stamped into the inside surface of the wheel - and these definitely are different for car and caravan use

J:

This is the rim width - and you should check that the tyre size is a good match for the J size - this should be specified by both the wheel manufacturer (and give a range of tyre sizes) and by the tyre manufacturer (and give a minimum J size)

If the tyre is too "fat", it needs a wider (larger J size) wheel - this allows the tyre bead to seat correctly and not enter the rim at an inappropriate angle. Likewise a too narrow tyre needs a smaller J size.

Robert

 

[gary]

4.5" or 5.5" is the width of the rim between the two ledges the tyre fits up to, 'J' is the shape of the ledge in section.

When picking suitable tyres, the tyre manufactures and caravanning clubs recommend a tyre used on a caravan is loaded to no more than 10% less than the stated maximum on the tyre. The tyre you have picked fall 'just' outside this lower limit so you might want to consider the 8ply version of the otherwise same size tyre.

www.tyreline.co.uk supply lots more information as well as suitable tyres and rims ready to fit.

 

[darran_374315310]

4.5" or 5.5" is the width of the rim between the two ledges the tyre fits up to, 'J' is the shape of the ledge in section.

When picking suitable tyres, the tyre manufactures and caravanning clubs recommend a tyre used on a caravan is loaded to no more than 10% less than the stated maximum on the tyre. The tyre you have picked fall 'just' outside this lower limit so you might want to consider the 8ply version of the otherwise same size tyre.

www.tyreline.co.uk supply lots more information as well as suitable tyres and rims ready to fit.

Thanks for your help guys i now understand what i am looking for.good job i have not towed it very far yet.