Spare Tyres/Rim

[Gordon_5112983]

I purchased a secondhand 1990 Coachman VIP 460/2, but it has not got a spare wheel. The tyre size is 165/80 R13, can I just use a standard 13 rim on this caravan?

 

[cooky1]

If you mean can you use a car wheel then the answer is no. The PCD (distance between the studs/holes) is different on a caravan wheel compared to a car wheel. You can pick caravan wheels up at dealers or try the local adds. I think they cost about

 

[Lutz]

It depends what you call a standard rim. Obviously the hole pitch and the wheel offset has got to be right but otherwise, yes.

 

[Gordon_5112983]

I have managed to locate a spare rim 13" 4.5J, which is the correct one for my van. Can anyone please tell me if I can use a normal 165/80 car tyre as a spare? Or does it spedifically have to be a specialised caravan tyre?

 

[Lutz]

The tyre load rating must be no less than that of the other tyres on the caravan. The load rating is the number on the sidewall of the tyre after the size reference. It is a number usually between 85 and 100.

 

[RogerL]

The Load Index can exceed 100, a few current caravans have LI 102 as standard. Manufacturers often specify tyres with a higher LI than the maximum axle load to provide a safety margin of 10-20%. Car manufacturers often provide an even bigger safety margin but there are some notable exceptions.

It's a legal requirement that a tyre matches the other tyre on an axle in terms of size and construction. This would apply to a spare wheel/tyre when fitted as a "running" wheel.

There is an exemption for space saver tyres (which are smaller size but still have an adequate load index) to enable an otherwise broken down motor vehicle to be driven to a place of repair. This isn't a practical idea for a caravan.

 

[Guest]

Gordon, You don't state whether your wheel is 4 or 5 hole. My last van had 4.5J x 13 wheels, but with 5 holes. It was quite difficult to get the same size, and PCD, but eventually i managed to track one down in a dealer's accesory shop. I also had to get a 6 ply C rated tyre, which also took a little bit of doing. At the end of the day, after doing all this I traded in the caravan for one with bigger wheels, so had to do it all over again. As mentioned already, make sure the tyre ratings are the correct ones for your van, or it will blow.