Tyre problem

[Pablo1]

I have had my caravan in for it's second service, and have been advised to replace both tyres, due to cracks in the side walls. Nothing new about tyre cracks, except that the van is a 2009 Coachman, fitted with GT Max Miler tyres manufactured on week 51 of 2008, only 2 years and 6 month old! The van itself was bought new during June 2009.
The cracks are about 1 cm from the wheel rim, going half way round one tyre, and a quarter arround the other on the outside, haven't checked the inside face yet.
I've heard that caravan tyres should be checked after 3 years, and replaced by 5 years, so am I just unlucky? Has anyone else had similar problems with these tyres?
I know that Swift had problems last year (?) with tyres but didn't think they were this brand. Reluctant to spend another £200, but doesn't look like a have a choice; safety first!

Paul

 

[Beachball]

You are unluckly we brought our New Bailey May 2008 and it sailed through the service and tyres are still in good condition but next year we will put new ones for safety sake .

 

[Damian]

Quote"I've heard that caravan tyres should be checked after 3 years, and replaced by 5 years"

Van tyres should be checked every year at the service, and the pressures checked every time you use the van.
Replacement was advised after 5 years, now increased to 7 years ONLY if still in good condition, sooner if damaged.

Van tyres seem to suffer degradation much more readily than car tyres, mainly because they stand in one position for extended periods of time, and sunlight combined with the vagaries of the weather cause much damage.

It is better to shade the tyres from the sun when the van is left unused for periods.

 

[ValA.]

Don't risk a blowout - which is what happens what cracked tyres suddenly 'go'! We had this happen in France. We'd seen the cracking whilst on our last site when OH gave the tyres a last check (after two weeks in very, very hot sun!) but we were on our way home, and thought it would be no problem. The tyre went about 5 kilometres from the site, with a sudden and dramatic blowout which left the tyre in shreds. Fortunately this happened alongside a layby where we were able to change the wheel for our spare. Had it happened on the motorway about 2 kilometres further away, it would have been impossible and we'd have had to call out the breakdown service.
It did some very slight damage to the ply floor of the van, fortunately under the vanity unit, so it was repaired without showing, and to the plastic interior wheel arch, and wheel arch cover. Our insurance covered the repairs, but we had to pay the excess. Replace them now or you could be into an even bigger bill and higher insurance premiums.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Pablo,

Tyre cracking does seem to be a problem as Damian explained.

You might be lucky if you explain to your caravan supplier that you are unhappy with the life of the tyres fitted, and that they seem not to be durable in comparison to most other caravenners experiences. You can also point out the tyres were already a year old when they supplied the van. - they might play ball and change them.

But there is a serious point behind my suggestion. The industry as a whole recognises that tyres will last 5 years and now as Damian has pointed out the advice can be extended to 7 years, so for yours to fail this early in your ownership is both unususal and that suggests the tyres were not fit for purpose or of durabale construction. Both of these critera fall into teh realm of Sale of Goods legislation.

If the dealer refuses point blank, then I suggest you contact 'Consumer Direct' or your 'CAB' and even 'Trading Standards' all of whome offer free consumer advice to obtain authoratitive suggestions.

I do have to sound a note of caution - Tyres along with brake shoes and pads are considered consumables and are expected wear out and need replacing from time to time. Tyres especially are open to abuse, such as over or under pressure inflation, striking kerbs or other debis on the roads, pot holes etc, so if it comes down to proving the tyres were sub standard, then it may become difficult prove none of these other incidents have occured or if they did happen, that they have not been the cause or contributory factor to the tyres untimate condition. In your favour though is the fact that both tyres are demonstrating the same failure, which to some extent reduces the possibility it is kerbing,potholes or debris which tends to occur on the nearside more than the crown of the highways.

 

[Surfer]

You may be able to use the Sale of goods Act against the supplier;

• Wherever goods are bought they must "conform to contract". This means they must be as described, fit for purpose and of satisfactory quality (i.e. not inherently faulty at the time of sale).
• Goods are of satisfactory quality if they reach the standard that a reasonable person would regard as satisfactory, taking into account the price and any description.
• Aspects of quality include fitness for purpose, freedom from minor defects, appearance and finish, durability and safety.

The tyres are an inherent part of the caravan and cracks are not due to fair wera and tear. I would advise they suppleir that they are responsible for the replacement of the tyres. If they refuse, offer to meet them halfway otherwise you will be taking it up with Trading Standards. Also request that they give you the old tyres when they do the exchange.

 

[Gafferbill]

.......no need to spend £200 with your service engineer.
You should be able to get suitable tyres fitted much cheaper.
Here is one suggested source although you may have to remove your wheels and take them to a local fitment centre.
http://www.blackcircles.com

Incidentally the above company has your current tyres for £55 each as their budget tyre.
Draw you own conclusions.

I would recommend having commercial van tyres fitted as they tend to be well proven and cheaper due to the greater numbers produced.
Typical price around £70 each.

 

[Pablo1]

Thanks, Gafferbill.
Have used http://www.blackcircles.com before and have already looked at their prices. Exact (brand & type) replacements ar £64, but will go for Yokohama or Kumho at £75ish as I think they will give me more peace of mind. Dealer quoted £104 each for Kumhos!

Incidentally, everyone seems to suggest approaching the supplier for "comments". Should this be the dealer, caravan manufacturer or tyre manufacturer?

Thanks everyone for your comments. Makes me more determined to take things further.

Paul

 

[TD42]

although the caravan manufactorer fitted the tyres it is the caravan Supplying dealer that you have to go back to with the complaint

 

[Gabsgrandad]

I had similar problems on a Lunar Quazar at about a year old. Doing routine pressure check etc.
spotted wall cracks all around the tyre, went to the other side and that tyre was the same.
Contacted the dealer to inform them of the situation and what were they going to do about it. Their response was to take the van in and they would have a look. I told them no way am I towing that van now I’m aware of the condition the tyres were in. So I agreed to remove the wheels and take them in, (including the spare some obscure cheapo name, I can’t remember, which had not been used) . 30 mile journey including crossing the Humber Bridge. On inspection dealer agreed to replace tyres, fine. Left the tyres with them whilst we went and had a meal.
On return to pick them up, only the two used ones had been changed, not happy but dealer said it was only because the tyre firm had only two new ones in stock. I would have liked 3, but not unduly unhappy at that.
However what did make me blow my top was when they let slip that there had been a few problems with the make of tyre, and they had had to change several.
I asked why then had customers not been informed of the problem as I suspected that a lot of folks were running about on dangerous tyres, as everyone doesn’t do the tyre checks they should.
I accused them of risking me and family and my outfit in saving a few bob when they should have been informing us there might be a problem with the tyres and to as a minimum inspect them, and for safety to recall them and change them. A lot of silence from them.
Never did get the spare changed as they said they couldn’t say it was defective until it had been run. Wasn’t prepared to run on it only in an emergency so was never used when van sold.
Just shows how manufacturers and dealers are interested in customer safety!! They do nothing unless they are forced/confronted.

 

[SirRogerFFS]

I have just picked up on this thread and also noted that alot of manufacturers are fitting Hankook tyres to their vans, past experience with Hankook I would say they were excellent.
I would throw part of this topic back at Damien as im sure somewhere it is noted only
to use tyres suited to caravans so im not sure about commercial van tyres as suggest ed further back.
Sir Roger

 

[Lutz]

....... it is noted only to use tyres suited to caravans so im not sure about commercial van tyres as suggest ed further back.

Can you explain the difference between caravan tyres and commercial vehicle tyres? I was not aware of any technical difference in their design and construction or, for that matter, why there shouldn't be the same.

 

[Damian]

The most important consideration for tyres is the Load Rating.

Many manufacturers run the tyres at the maximum load for the tyres they fit, leaving very little, if any, room for that little "extra" weight which we all seem to accumulate.

Commercial tyres tend to be stiffer walled than car tyres to allow for the extra loading without distorting the sidewall,( although you can ask for reinforced car tyres).
Increasing the load rating gives a margin of safety which is sensible.

 

[SirRogerFFS]

Thanks Damian I was aware that it had been said not to use a standard car tyre in PCv somewhere but not familiar with the techie side thats why I handed back to you.
Sir Roger

 

[xtrailman]

These are what are fitted to my Valencia.
The top one shown.
http://maxxistyres.com.au/tyredetails.php?id=23&cat=6

 

[otherclive]

My Bailey had tyres with a combined load of 1420kg which for a van 0f 1400kg MTLPM was a bit short of margin for my liking. The OEM were Trailermaxxe so I changed them for specific trailer, caravan tyres made by GT Radial. These are Kargomax ST6000 they are embossed for trailer use only, have an 85mph speed rating, slightly more tread than the OEM tyres and now have a combined load of near to 1800kg. But I will still change at 5 years even though I shade the tyres and use winter wheels. I got them via Pneus Online with a 2 day delivery from Holland. Fitting, balance valves etc was about £15 per tyre.