Towng with different-sized spare on van

[Gafferbill]

Back to tyres
.........my memory of 1990 caravans of up to 1200kgs is that their tyres were on 13 inch rims.
I would be suspicious of a previous owner changing the specification.
Maybe worth a bit of research and checking the caravan is good to tow.

 

[Kiwimike]

Back to tyres
.........my memory of 1990 caravans of up to 1200kgs is that their tyres were on 13 inch rims.
I would be suspicious of a previous owner changing the specification.
Maybe worth a bit of research and checking the caravan is good to tow.

I drove it 100 miles home on A/B roads and all was good. He added movers and an ALKO hitch, all done properly. Have sorted a same size spare now so all good

 

[trevormonty]

The spare rating is 96, the fitted tyres are 88 - or 560kg. The van was originally plated for 1000kg, then uprated to 1200kg by the last owner.

It has a MiRO of 820kg - it's had movers added (+32kg) so still has 268kg to match the tyre maximum. I think that's plenty for a 2-berth

The existing tires loading rating is to low you should be looking to upgrade them. Factory tires normally have 10-20% over and above MPTLM. In your case 96 is probably about right. Time will only reduce tires carrying capability. Run right tire pressure for load, see tire datasheet. The recommended pressure in caravan manual will only be valid for factory tires.
I ended up replacing 195 96 rating with 185 104 as that is all I could source, MPTLM is 1100kg. 184 had slightly larger diameter ie 20mm. Had to adjust motor mover clearance.

Check torque on nuts after wheels have been changed, in my case steel spare has lower torque setting than alloys.
NB I'm still carrying original 195 spare which is >7yrs but has been kept in caravan out of sun and has factory sticker still stapled to thread. Hopefully I'll never need to put it to test.