Caravan tyres

[RayS]

Following annual inspection and service I need to replace two tyres on my 3 year old caravan. The date marks indicate these tyres are in fact 5 years old. They are marked as Trailer Only and have worn far more than I would have expected fro the miles towed.

Tyre markings are 185 R14C 104 and these characters do not fit too well with the sizing boxes on the various tyre suppliers websites i have tried, which ask for a ratio or profile number and have confusing characters for speed rating.

I want to replace them with better quality tyres and understand that for use in France these need to have a speed rating corresponding with the maximum speed allow on French autoroute - which I had understood to be the letter R
I am also having trouble finding a company which will fit at my home - Black Circles have no agents near by. Inspection showed a bulge adjacent to the rim on the inside face of one tyre and cracking deep in the tread of the other.

I would much appreciate any guidance to decoding the numbers to suit the boxes on websites, and also any suggestion for suppliers who will fit at home. I have email enquiries out with Quickfit and National.

 

[RogerL]

Usual advice on caravan tyres is 5 years of use or 7 years from manufacture date - if your tyres are visually in good condition they don't need replacing yet

185 R14C 104 is the same as 185/80 R14C 104 or even 185/80 R14 104/102 - suitable tyres will have higher speed ratings, typically S>112 mph, T>118mph - N is 87 mph, so why you need R at 106 mph I don't know.

 

[otherclive]

Following annual inspection and service I need to replace two tyres on my 3 year old caravan. The date marks indicate these tyres are in fact 5 years old. They are marked as Trailer Only and have worn far more than I would have expected fro the miles towed.

Tyre markings are 185 R14C 104 and these characters do not fit too well with the sizing boxes on the various tyre suppliers websites i have tried, which ask for a ratio or profile number and have confusing characters for speed rating.

I want to replace them with better quality tyres and understand that for use in France these need to have a speed rating corresponding with the maximum speed allow on French autoroute - which I had understood to be the letter R
I am also having trouble finding a company which will fit at my home - Black Circles have no agents near by. Inspection showed a bulge adjacent to the rim on the inside face of one tyre and cracking deep in the tread of the other.

I would much appreciate any guidance to decoding the numbers to suit the boxes on websites, and also any suggestion for suppliers who will fit at home. I have email enquiries out with Quickfit and National.

The C refers to a commercial, light truck rating. The marking for trailer use has been used to my knowledge by GT Radial and Kendo for specific trailer tyres but both had speed ratings adequate for France. However if your plated outfit weight exceeds 3500 kg then you will be limited to a maximum speed well below general autoroute maximum speed limits.
The C rated tyre had a profile of 80%. I’m using Hankook Vantra LT which are C rated and extensively used by WVM. They were the OEM supplied tyres so I just replaced like with like.

PS edit. I also used GT Radial Kargomax ST6000 for five years usage on a 1400 kg van that did extensive trips to souther France. Had no qualms about the tyres as GT Radial are a well established brand.

 

[otherclive]

Usual advice on caravan tyres is 5 years of use or 7 years from manufacture date - if your tyres are visually in good condition they don't need replacing yet

185 R14C 104 is the same as 185/80 R14C 104 or even 185/80 R14 104/102 - suitable tyres will have higher speed ratings, typically S>112 mph, T>118mph - N is 87 mph, so why you need R at 106 mph I don't know.

The OPs tyres exhibited a sidewalk bulge and deep tread cracking. So do require changing.

 

[Dustydog]

I’ve never worn out a set of caravan tyres! Only age has caused replacement. They are the only contact you have with the road. Just change for new once they reach the magic age.

 

[Beachball]

Actually the tyres that are on the Abbey are just three years old (Tyron Bands) these have been to France with the Last owner .

 

[Hutch]

OC, you are correct about the French speed limit but if your tow car has a train weight above 3500 kg then you are limited to 90 kph, with the van on the back.
Kwik-fit mobile do the Hankook Vantra LT. Which I have, but if you have Tyron bands Phone them up as they only have a few people, who can replace them, I had to lend the fitter who done mine the kit to change mine. If I sell my caravan then I will sell the mobile kit as well.

 

[Hutch]

Although I feel comfortable, having the Tyron bands, I have fitted tyre pal pressure monitors, and feel very safe with the van on the back of the car knowing i can monitor the pressure and temps of the tyres as we trundle along.

 

[Beachball]

Well if i get a puncture with my caravan i will ring Kwik- Fit mobile technicians for either a replacement or the removal of Tyron Bands

 

[Raywood]

The french speed limits is that these apply to the gross train weight of the car even if the MTPLM is not high enough to exceed 3,500 kg. This was a point I picked up when our cars GTW was just over but the caravans MTPLM meant we were actually short of it.

 

[RayS]

Thanks everyone, all sorted out now

 

[otherclive]

Thanks everyone, all sorted out now

What tyres did you buy in the end?

 

[ProfJohnL]

The french speed limits is that these apply to the gross train weight of the car even if the MTPLM is not high enough to exceed 3,500 kg. This was a point I picked up when our cars GTW was just over but the caravans MTPLM meant we were actually short of it.

I haven't researched the driving reg's of other nations, and I am quite surprised by your revelation. There are many mid-sized and large cars whose GTW limit is greater than 3500kg. It is purely an academic interest for me as I have no intention of visiting France, but do you know if the limit applies to solo vehicles, or only vehicles that are towing?

 

[otherclive]

I haven't researched the driving reg's of other nations, and I am quite surprised by your revelation. There are many mid-sized and large cars whose GTW limit is greater than 3500kg. It is purely an academic interest for me as I have no intention of visiting France, but do you know if the limit applies to solo vehicles, or only vehicles that are towing?

This covers motorhomes. https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/overseas-holidays/planning-your-route/european-speed-limits/

 

[Hutch]

I haven't researched the driving reg's of other nations, and I am quite surprised by your revelation. There are many mid-sized and large cars whose GTW limit is greater than 3500kg. It is purely an academic interest for me as I have no intention of visiting France, but do you know if the limit applies to solo vehicles, or only vehicles that are towing?

They are only for towing, My Santa Fe GTW 4500 kg I can transverse along at 130 kph unless it raining. With my Coachman on the back train weight of 4145kg, limited to 90 kph. A Peugeot 306 ( or something) with an Ariba FL(Fully Laden) goes past at 120 kph. I will drag along at 90 kph if I feel happy.

 

[ProfJohnL]

This covers motorhomes. https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/overseas-holidays/planning-your-route/european-speed-limits/

Thanks for this, but it seems to only cover towing, I was interested in how it affected solo vehicles.

Whilst I'm sure the CC will have tried to be accurate, I was looking for a source closer to the French regulatory document.

 

[ProfJohnL]

They are only for towing, My Santa Fe GTW 4500 kg I can transverse along at 130 kph unless it raining. With my Coachman on the back train weight of 4145kg, limited to 90 kph. A Peugeot 306 ( or something) with an Ariba FL(Fully Laden) goes past at 120 kph. I will drag along at 90 kph if I feel happy.

But based on the description Raywood has posted its based on the stated GTW, and that does not change whether the vehicle is towing or not. I have to admit it seems counter intuitive , but who knows with the way some countries set their various limits. It might be worth checking in case your assertion its for towing only is not true.

 

[otherclive]

But based on the description Raywood has posted its based on the stated GTW, and that does not change whether the vehicle is towing or not. I have to admit it seems counter intuitive , but who knows with the way some countries set their various limits. It might be worth checking in case your assertion its for towing only is not true.

The speed limits for solo cars are generally displayed on the roadside signs. When it’s raining autoroute signs will display a lower limit. The RAC website gives details of the vehicle speed limits as do several others too. But like most things French it’s not easy to drill down to find the french statute. Remember the debate about whether UK vans required 80/90 kph stickers?



https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/driving-abroad/top-10-tips-for-driving-through-france/

 

[Beachball]

What tyres did you buy in the end

 

[RayS]

What tyres did you buy in the end?

Tyres are General which I believe is the commercial brand of Continental. They had 850kg weight rating rather than 800kg of the originals, bi-directional and with acceptable speed rating. The mobile fitting company said it used them on all their vehicles and indeed they were the basis of all the decals on the van. Fitted including balancing very efficiently and carefully. Would not have taken order if Tyron bands had been fitted.

 

[Beachball]

That your choice about Tyron Bands (but they are fitted on my caravan) they are designed to hold the wheel and tyre together in the event of a blowout to allow you to guide the unit to safety

 

[ProfJohnL]

That your choice about Tyron Bands (but they are fitted on my caravan) they are designed to hold the wheel and tyre together in the event of a blowout to allow you to guide the unit to safety

There has been no verifiable evidence brought forward that shows tyre bands offer any benefit or advantage over normal wheels and tyres on domestic vehicles and caravans.

If these devices were as effective as the manufacture claims, then in the interests of safety car manufacturers would be forced into fitting them, in just the same way that ABS braking and seat-belts have become a statutory requirement.

If there was a significant problem with tyre deflation's where the vehicles needed these devices to come to a controlled stop, there would be far more manufacturers offering equivalent devices.

A tyre pressure monitoring system is a far more useful device, which is now a requirement on most new vehicles.

At least with a tyre band its not going to adversely affect the safety of a vehicle, though it may require specialist expertise to change tyres making repairs or replacement that bit more expensive. IT may be a cause of inconvenience if a tyre fitter cannot handle the bands.

Tyre bands are a product looking for a problem rather than solving one at actually exists. It is up to each individual if they wish to spend money on these ineffective products.

 

[Beachball]

There has been no verifiable evidence brought forward that shows tyre bands offer any benefit or advantage over normal wheels and tyres on domestic vehicles and caravans.

If these devices were as effective as the manufacture claims, then in the interests of safety car manufacturers would be forced into fitting them, in just the same way that ABS braking and seat-belts have become a statutory requirement.

If there was a significant problem with tyre deflation's where the vehicles needed these devices to come to a controlled stop, there would be far more manufacturers offering equivalent devices.

A tyre pressure monitoring system is a far more useful device, which is now a requirement on most new vehicles.

At least with a tyre band its not going to adversely affect the safety of a vehicle, though it may require specialist expertise to change tyres making repairs or replacement that bit more expensive. IT may be a cause of inconvenience if a tyre fitter cannot handle the bands.

Tyre bands are a product looking for a problem rather than solving one at actually exists. It is up to each individual if they wish to spend money on these ineffective products.

Actually some years ago if i did not have Tyron bands on my caravan the damage would have been much worse Have you had a Blowout (Prof) because i have and lucky for my van i was able to guide it to safety . Also Kwik Fit are Mobile Technicians are fully trained and come fully equipped to handle all aspects of Tyron Bands on Caravan Tyres and are able to supply new Tyron Bands for retro-fitment to your caravan or replace your existing Tyron Bands

 

[RogerL]

Actually some years ago if i did not have Tyron bands on my caravan the damage would have been much worse Have you had a Blowout (Prof) because i have and lucky for my van i was able to guide it to safety . Also Kwik Fit are Mobile Technicians are fully trained and come fully equipped to handle all aspects of Tyron Bands on Caravan Tyres and are able to supply new Tyron Bands for retro-fitment to your caravan or replace your existing Tyron Bands

The safety ledges fitted inside the rims on all wheels made in the last few decades is designed to achieve the same thing as Tyron bands (to prevent the tyre bead dropping into the centre well) - have ANY tests been done to compare the two?

Surviving a blowout with Tyrons fitted doesn't indicate how well the safety ledges would work on their own.

 

[otherclive]

Actually some years ago if i did not have Tyron bands on my caravan the damage would have been much worse Have you had a Blowout (Prof) because i have and lucky for my van i was able to guide it to safety . Also Kwik Fit are Mobile Technicians are fully trained and come fully equipped to handle all aspects of Tyron Bands on Caravan Tyres and are able to supply new Tyron Bands for retro-fitment to your caravan or replace your existing Tyron Bands

How do you know that the tyron bands were effective. It could have been because you had a well matched and sensibly loaded outfit. I too had a major nearside tyre blowout on a caravan when travelling at 55-60 mph down a dual carriageway between Monmouth and Newport. The first indication that I had was a loud rumble akin to being buzzed by a jumbo jet. Then in my nearside mirror I saw tyre shards being ejected I eased off and drew over but at all times there was no wobble from the car (generation 1 Mondeo estate ) or caravan. To this day I don’t know what caused the tyre to go as it was well in date. So most likely cause would be a puncture then overheating. TPMS would have indicated such a failure.