Out of shape Tyres

[otherclive]

They are commercial van tyres with the T being the speed rating. At 99 load index they are suitable for your van which has an MTPLM of 1500 kg but they are close to the max axle load of 1550 kg based on the tyres load index. Why not give yourself a little more margin and go for a higher LI tyre the cost would be marginally more expensive.

 

[Gagakev]

Hi John, recently had Continental Vanco tyres fitted to my van £90.00 each, including the vat, balancing, and fitted to the rims.
Mine are 195/70 R15 and also at 65lb pressure,
Interesting you say it's recommended to change them every 3 years, do you have a link to this info?

Hi Kev i saw it here on the National web site here is the link, Check out "Tyre Aging" down the page.
http://www.national.co.uk/information/caravan-tyres.aspx

Thanks John,
from there site;

The BTMA (British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association) recommend that caravan tyres be replaced every 5 years and should never be used if they are over 7 years old. It’s also recommended that caravan tyres with a high inflation pressure (above 50psi) should be replaced at 3 years and never used beyond 5 years, according to The Caravan Club.

Think it's safe to say five years for us will be OK.
Gee man you had me worried for a minute

Nearly sold the van

 

[otherclive]

Think I will drop my pressure from 53 to 50 psi as they are only loaded to around 80% of max load and no where near max rated speed!!!!! I thought that the CC advise was to inspect closely after 3 years and replace by 5 years for tyres at above 50 psi. This seems more sound than to change after 3 years as advised by BTMA a body with commercial interests in selling more tyres.

what are the German rules on tyres as their vans are pretty weighty?

 

[johnandrew70]

Hi John, recently had Continental Vanco tyres fitted to my van £90.00 each, including the vat, balancing, and fitted to the rims.
Mine are 195/70 R15 and also at 65lb pressure,
Interesting you say it's recommended to change them every 3 years, do you have a link to this info?

Hi Kev i saw it here on the National web site here is the link, Check out "Tyre Aging" down the page.
http://www.national.co.uk/information/caravan-tyres.aspx

Thanks John,
from there site;

The BTMA (British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association) recommend that caravan tyres be replaced every 5 years and should never be used if they are over 7 years old. It’s also recommended that caravan tyres with a high inflation pressure (above 50psi) should be replaced at 3 years and never used beyond 5 years, according to The Caravan Club.

Think it's safe to say five years for us will be OK.
Gee man you had me worried for a minute

Nearly sold the van

The problem is that they could be 12 months old or more before they leave the shelf.
I am so confused when it comes to tyres, i got a quote for caravan tyres and they suggested Kumho and they rate them, i didnt ask for the cheapest or dearest. i am sure they could have quoted me for something in the region of £100 a tyre but because we do a lot of business with them i am sure they have looked after me with the suggested tyre and price.
I know i asked for everyones input but now i am confused after all the negative comments.
The continental vanco i cant seem to find in my size.
ahhh i think the Kumho will be fine, its not as though i am travelling to the south of france every year, in fact the furthest i go is probably 150 miles.

John

 

[otherclive]

John
Kuhmo are a well rated Manufactuerer. The links to problems are media led and two of them present absolutely no evidence that the tyres manufacturing was responsible. The link re re- cycled rubber content is now of an age where it could be history. If you have VW GM Peugot Kia Hyundai etc breathing down your collar your quality will improve immeasurably.
I have just checked the CC site and their advice is for tyres above 50psi check closely after 3 years and change by 5 years. They have a very comprehensive 19 page paper on tyres. Worth a read.

 

[Gagakev]

The problem is that they could be 12 months old or more before they leave the shelf.

John, whatever you decide (the vanco may not go down to your size being commercial use) stipulate that they must be within
3 to 6 months old, I did and they were 4 months old off the shelf so think this is acceptable.

 

[Gagakev]

John
Kuhmo are a well rated Manufactuerer. The links to problems are media led and two of them present absolutely no evidence that the tyres manufacturing was responsible. The link re re- cycled rubber content is now of an age where it could be history. If you have VW GM Peugot Kia Hyundai etc breathing down your collar your quality will improve immeasurably.
I have just checked the CC site and their advice is for tyres above 50psi check closely after 3 years and change by 5 years. They have a very comprehensive 19 page paper on tyres. Worth a read.

Thanks for clarification Clive, will stick to the 5 years.

 

[Guest]

I would change to 185R14C 102 tyres, albeit you will need to get the mover adjusted, or, 185/75R14 102 and these are the same diameter as originals. Either way, the extra load rating will give you a better safety margin in line with the 10% recommended.
Both size tyre pressure required for these tyres would be 56psi for 1500kg

 

[johnandrew70]

Just a quick message to let you know that after getting the wheels off the van on saturday i was very surprised at how bad the tyres were. Basically the carcase had started to break up and there were splits between the tread. I called the dealer and told them and they have agreed to replace them.

 

[Sproket]

Looks like you were very lucky that you did not have a blow out....
Glad to here the dealer is sorting them out for you....
Just remember to check the load rating & date of manufacture code .......
Have you checked your spare tyre ????

 

[johnandrew70]

Looks like you were very lucky that you did not have a blow out....
Glad to here the dealer is sorting them out for you....
Just remember to check the load rating & date of manufacture code .......
Have you checked your spare tyre ????

not checked the spare yet sprocket haha saying that i wouldnt be able to get the spare off with the winter wheels on as the chassis is nearly touching the deck. I am glad i took my jacking points off my old van makes life easier

 

[Gagakev]

Good to see the dealer taking it responsibly, are they local to you John.
With the money saved you can have another weekend away

 

[Surfer]

Just a quick message to let you know that after getting the wheels off the van on saturday i was very surprised at how bad the tyres were. Basically the carcase had started to break up and there were splits between the tread. I called the dealer and told them and they have agreed to replace them.

Good result!

 

[johnandrew70]

Good to see the dealer taking it responsibly, are they local to you John.
With the money saved you can have another weekend away

they are near where i store the van about 15 miles from home. Had a message telling me to take wheels to tyre service get some tyres fitted and they will bill the dealer direct.
We might have a weekend in the van or spend the money on the next project on the van hehehe

 

[Dustydog]

Just a quick message to let you know that after getting the wheels off the van on saturday i was very surprised at how bad the tyres were. Basically the carcase had started to break up and there were splits between the tread. I called the dealer and told them and they have agreed to replace them.

That's good news John.

Any joy with the blinds?

 

[johnandrew70]

Right a bit of an update, fitted tyres yesterday the dealer has fitted Kumho which i am happy enough with. on fotting the wheels to the van i fitted drivers side first then went around to do other side took the winter wheel off, fitted wheel and proceeded to do the nuts up, it was then i found the wheel was turning so thought maybe i hadnt put the handbrake back on but when i looked the brake was on?? so basically the brake is not doing hardly anything to that wheel, i feel a little resistance but not enough to hold the van on a hill in fact when i moved the van with the mover when i released the mover the van started to turn slightly.
i spoke to the dealer and he says that this happens sometimes and its to do with the reverse machanism on the drawbar, he says that when i take the van out next it will balance the braking on the caravan.
Is this right?? i thought if the handbrake was on the brakes would be on regardless of the drawbar position?
if this is just a case of adjusting the brakes on that wheel how easy is it to do and should i get the guy who serviced the van 3 months ago to sort it?
John

 

[johnandrew70]

Just a quick message to let you know that after getting the wheels off the van on saturday i was very surprised at how bad the tyres were. Basically the carcase had started to break up and there were splits between the tread. I called the dealer and told them and they have agreed to replace them.

That's good news John.

Any joy with the blinds?

Nothing has been said about the blinds

 

[johnandrew70]

Anyone shed any light on my problems?

 

[Sproket]

Just a quick message to let you know that after getting the wheels off the van on saturday i was very surprised at how bad the tyres were. Basically the carcase had started to break up and there were splits between the tread. I called the dealer and told them and they have agreed to replace them.

That's good news John.

Any joy with the blinds?

Nothing has been said about the blinds

Anyone shed any light on my problems?

I think Dustydog is referring to this post

 

[johnandrew70]

Right a bit of an update, fitted tyres yesterday the dealer has fitted Kumho which i am happy enough with. on fotting the wheels to the van i fitted drivers side first then went around to do other side took the winter wheel off, fitted wheel and proceeded to do the nuts up, it was then i found the wheel was turning so thought maybe i hadnt put the handbrake back on but when i looked the brake was on?? so basically the brake is not doing hardly anything to that wheel, i feel a little resistance but not enough to hold the van on a hill in fact when i moved the van with the mover when i released the mover the van started to turn slightly.
i spoke to the dealer and he says that this happens sometimes and its to do with the reverse machanism on the drawbar, he says that when i take the van out next it will balance the braking on the caravan.
Is this right?? i thought if the handbrake was on the brakes would be on regardless of the drawbar position?
if this is just a case of adjusting the brakes on that wheel how easy is it to do and should i get the guy who serviced the van 3 months ago to sort it?
John

I was hoping someone could help me with the brakes anybody out there got any info they could share with me??

 

[Dustydog]

Funny things these brakes .
At Ardmair Point some years ago I reversed in. Unhitched and the Elddis started to roll towards the sea. Panic!
The handbrake then came up twice as high as usual and she stopped.
My mistake. Always try and come forward a bit to free off the automatic reversing mechanism allowing the handbrake to work correctly.
I'm sure Damian can explain in more detail.

 

[johnandrew70]

Funny things these brakes .
At Ardmair Point some years ago I reversed in. Unhitched and the Elddis started to roll towards the sea. Panic!
The handbrake then came up twice as high as usual and she stopped.
My mistake. Always try and come forward a bit to free off the automatic reversing mechanism allowing the handbrake to work correctly.
I'm sure Damian can explain in more detail.

i dont understand why one wheel would be braked and the other not?? and also i didnt reverse the van back when i last used it. i unhitched it and used the mover to park it up, i do however remember putting the handbrake on then unhitching it, then i tried to use the mover with the handbrake on by mistake

would this of done any damage to the braking mechanism?
i have done this a few times with our old van with no problems

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

hi John,
caravans were much simpler before auto reverse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it is basically to do with the dynamics of the brakes these can be a nightmare like DD,s experience, it has done it to me a few times but there is nothing wrong with the brakes!!!!! if a wheel goes backwards with resistance on the brake drum ie overun or h/brake the cam moves and releases the brake, this can happen on either wheel or both, but will be reset once the van is pulled forwards (as per dealers statement)
this was illustrated to me by the bloke on the next pitch (in St Austell) on a sloping field, he reversed in, put on h/brake unhitched the car, and the van rolled back 2mtrs into the hedge!! with assistance from me and 2 other campers we got the car back on pulled it up the hill, to the pitch applied the handbrake, unhitched the car again and the hand brake held firmly!!.
I did try and explain about reversing and cams

but he just did not understand

it could be there is nowt wrong with your brakes just the fact that one wheel moved back with the hand brake not fully on (while fitting the wheels) causing the cam to move and release it,
and could be explaind by your statment " I do however remember putting the handbrake on then unhitching it, then
i tried to use the mover with the handbrake on by mistake

" .
would it have done any damage I would not have thought so I have done this quite a few times with no ill effects, on the brakes. just a bit of scrubbing on the tyres!!

 

[johnandrew70]

hi John,
caravans were much simpler before auto reverse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it is basically to do with the dynamics of the brakes these can be a nightmare like DD,s experience, it has done it to me a few times but there is nothing wrong with the brakes!!!!! if a wheel goes backwards with resistance on the brake drum ie overun or h/brake the cam moves and releases the brake, this can happen on either wheel or both, but will be reset once the van is pulled forwards (as per dealers statement)
this was illustrated to me by the bloke on the next pitch (in St Austell) on a sloping field, he reversed in, put on h/brake unhitched the car, and the van rolled back 2mtrs into the hedge!! with assistance from me and 2 other campers we got the car back on pulled it up the hill, to the pitch applied the handbrake, unhitched the car again and the hand brake held firmly!!.
I did try and explain about reversing and cams

but he just did not understand

it could be there is nowt wrong with your brakes just the fact that one wheel moved back with the hand brake not fully on (while fitting the wheels) causing the cam to move and release it,
and could be explaind by your statment " I do however remember putting the handbrake on then unhitching it, then
i tried to use the mover with the handbrake on by mistake

" .
would it have done any damage I would not have thought so I have done this quite a few times with no ill effects, on the brakes. just a bit of scrubbing on the tyres!!

Hi colin
Thanks for your reply its put me mind at ease a bit.