Spare Tyre Advice

[Peter_374355840]

Hi, I recently bought a new Bailey Ranger 540/6, which didn`t come with a spare wheel, So I spoke with the dealer and they said they would through in a spare wheel.

To my suprise, when I picked the caravan up the dealer just supplied the steel rim and not the tyre.

I`m planning on going away for the weekend, to give the caravan a go, before we go for a week away. So I need to get a tyre.

What do I need to look for when buying a tyre? what weight it can take? does it matter what type of tread is on it?

Do places like kwik fit stock caravan tyres? or would a normal car tyre do?

If not does anyone know of a place that does caravan tyres in north wales? Wrexham/Chester area, or Rhyl area?

If I take the steel rim, will the tyre place be able to tell what tyre size fits it, Or should I give them the figures from the alloy wheels tyre (Low profiles)?

Thanks for any advice

Pete

 

[RogerL]

Almost certainly, a car tyre WON'T do.

On the side of your existing tyres will be the size marking, for example 185/65 R14 93N, you'll need to quote that to a tyre supplier for them to source the correct specification. In my example the 93 is the Load Index and it's important that the spare has the same rating as your existing tyres.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Further to Rogers comment, if you do find a supplier and arrange to have the tyre fitted, don't just take their word that they have fitted the correct tyre, actually check the tyre for its full correct rating before you leave the fitters.

Sadly I seem to recall that someone had a tyre that was claimed to be correct, but it turned out to be a car tyre rather than a van tyre. If seems the fitter only checked the size not the rating.

 

[John_Boy]

If I recall off the top of my head the tyre needs to have a C rating as the side walls have been reinforced sufficiently to withstand a greater loading requirement of a standard car tyre, its the loading weight limit that is the important factor not the speed rating which applies more to car tyres. Remember that if you are running at the 85% ratio the weight of the car is spread over 4 tyres as opposed to 2 which only 15% less weight would be expected to be supported.

My first stop would be an Avon Supervan as then you know it has been designed for the purpose for which you intend, beyond that talk to your dealer, or a tyre specialist beyond the named chain outlets, because in all honesty the majority, from personal experience, are out to pull your pants down from the moment you walk through the door, and you have a "special request" which is manna from heaven.

At the end of the day don't cut any corners with Caravan tyres, even the spare, as the little 4-5" patch of rubber constantly in touch with the road is the only thing keeping

 

[mkej100]

What was the dealers excuse for not supplying the tyre as that's what they promised as part of the deal ,they will at least know where to get caravan tyres locally,Kwik fit won't stock them but will probably have a tyre wholesaler that they source from at short notice ,make sure you make it clear they are reinforced tyres for a caravan and check they are exactly the same size and most importantly the same load index as the ones fitted to the van already when you collect it ,185/65R14 if i remember rightly and make sure the steel rim that the dealer gave you is 14" and a 5 stud it will have the size stamped inside it.

Many tyre dealers don't really understand or get involved in tyres for caravans so beware.

Mike.

 

[RogerL]

If Peter asked for a spare wheel and got a wheel, there's no issue - if he'd asked for a spare tyre or spare wheel/tyre that would be different - pedantic I know !!

Tyre dealers are very capable of supplying commercial tyres for white vans, they just need to be told the right thing.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Some years ago I had a new Elddis Hurricane 1000 so called because it came with