Tyre recommendations

[Sam Vimes]

I need to get two new tyres for my Elddis Xplore 304 in the next couple of months. Don't do a lot of mileage and the max weight is about 1200kg.

Don't want to spend a lot of money so any recommendations that don't require a mortgage, please?

 

[otherclive]

GT Radial do trailer specific tyres. ST4000 or 6000.

 

[birdman101]

You can pick up a pair on Ebay for £75 the two,and then pay to get them fitted. Or you could order some from companies like Black circles and them get them fitted at your house. But as caravan tyres never wear out they are more likely to crack through standing and cheaper tyres may not last as long as premium ones,so in the long run if they have a shorter life work out dearer, I have always sworn by Hankook which I have only ever changed after 7 years due to age,but still fine.

 

[Kev P]

I got Maxxis on mine last September - 185R14C £150 pair fitted. Tows well in all conditions.

MAXXIS Vansmart AS AL2

MAXXIS Vansmart AS AL2 – all-season durability and superior grip for vans and motorhomes. Reinforced for heavy-duty use. Discover now.

maxxis-europe.com

 

[RogerL]

My local tyre dealer promotes Nexen tyres, at a cheaper price than buy cheap on the internet and fitting locally.

I avoid Chinese brands but accept that most big name brands are made in China now!

 

[Woodentop]

We bought a used Passat Estate in 2011 and I noticed that it had three different makes of tyre. The supplier said they would fit four new and they turned out to be Nexen - I think Nexen2. I have to say I was surprised how well they gripped and responded to general and towing driving. I changed them when they had done a bit over 30K and they were still well legal.
If you get XL version I don't see why they should not be totally confortable on a caravan.

 

[Mr Grumpy]

Changed our caravan tyres 18 months ago.
Had another set of Riken tyres fitted. Previous set of Riken's lasted over 8 years, covered many thousands of miles and the tyre fitter was confused as to why I wanted them swapped as they were still like new.

 

[RogerL]

Whatever you choose, make sure the tyre fitter understands that caravan wheels/tyres do need balancing - a surprising number of fitters still think that they don't !

 

[Gafferbill]

......just checked my 7 year old caravan tyres prior to a long tow trip.
A very thorough check as the wheels and tyres are off the ground on axle stands.
At first glance the tyres looked OK but on spinning very slowly, discovered a slight bulge in one.
Not good with a pressure of 64psi.
Just ordered 2 Hankook Ra58 195/70R15C 104/102R .....not cheap but willing to pay to try and minimise any problems.
Caravan is single axle carrying 1600kgs.
Don't buy cheap tyres for a caravan would be my advice to the OP

PS: tyre fitter advised that if my 7 year old tyres were implicated in an insurance claim it would likely be refused.

 

[Mr Plodd]

I would opt for "White van man" tyres! I ran motorhomes for many years on them without any issue whatsoever. And yes I did go to hot climes, and travel long distances at speed with them.
Others will, of course, disagree.
If the tyre manufacturer gives them a weight and speed rating that matches, or exceeds the original fitment then they are clearly well up to the job.
Your money, your choice.
If you haven't already got them invest in a Tyre Pressure Monitoring system. I bought a cheap set off Amazon to try them out for about £18. It has worked perfectly on my MH. The whole system is about half the cost of a single Tyrepal sensor, the sensors look to be identical!

 

[Sam Vimes]

Thanks for all the feedback. Something to mull over on these wet days.

 

[birdman101]

......just checked my 7 year old caravan tyres prior to a long tow trip.
A very thorough check as the wheels and tyres are off the ground on axle stands.
At first glance the tyres looked OK but on spinning very slowly, discovered a slight bulge in one.
Not good with a pressure of 64psi.
Just ordered 2 Hankook Ra58 195/70R15C 104/102R .....not cheap but willing to pay to try and minimise any problems.
Caravan is single axle carrying 1600kgs.
Don't buy cheap tyres for a caravan would be my advice to the OP

PS: tyre fitter advised that if my 7 year old tyres were implicated in an insurance claim it would likely be refused.

Good choice used them for years, still good after 7 years, and then changed only to age reccomendations. Also stick to Hankook on cars

 

[toad a caravan]

Try ilink tyres from black circle,they are commercial tyres,13" upwards,91/92 ,you may get change from £100 for two

 

[otherclive]

I would opt for "White van man" tyres! I ran motorhomes for many years on them without any issue whatsoever. And yes I did go to hot climes, and travel long distances at speed with them.
Others will, of course, disagree.
If the tyre manufacturer gives them a weight and speed rating that matches, or exceeds the original fitment then they are clearly well up to the job.
Your money, your choice.
If you haven't already got them invest in a Tyre Pressure Monitoring system. I bought a cheap set off Amazon to try them out for about £18. It has worked perfectly on my MH. The whole system is about half the cost of a single Tyrepal sensor, the sensors look to be identical!

When I had.new caravan in 2005 I had the MTPLM upgrade and it put its weight to within 20 kgs if the combined tyre Load Index. Also about that time there was a spate of tyre failures on OEM tyres. So I decided to fit Firestone Vanhawk, then five years on I fitted GT Radial Kargomax ST6000, a specific trailer tyre, embossed FRT Trailer Use Only. Then when I swopped vans the Sprite came Hankoook Vantra LT which I stayed with until I sold the caravan.

So I’d echo your view wrt fitting WVM or trailer specific tyres. Probably not so critical on a TA Van, but in my view well worth it on a SA van.

 

[JTQ]

If you haven't already got them invest in a Tyre Pressure Monitoring system. I bought a cheap set off Amazon to try them out for about £18. It has worked perfectly on my MH. The whole system is about half the cost of a single Tyrepal sensor, the sensors look to be identical!

If you go this route first check the system has a pressure range high enough to suit your needs.
Some don't, some don't even say what the maximum pressure is. Also some are suitable, it's a matter of being savvy and checking the specification if given, before, rather than after. If not given I would not entertain purchasing them.

 

[Dustydog]

As all the others .

Don’t forget to make sure whatever you choose has the C or CP marks within the sizing. As you know these are designed specifically for caravans trailers etc . Most times these tyres may be tolerant of standing idle for months on end and may have compounds that slow down ultra violet degradation.
I have no experience of using car tyres on a caravan😉

 

[otherclive]

The C stands for Commercial with an aspect ratio of 80% and designed for vehicles carrying heavier loads. IE Light trucks and vans. Tyres designed specifically for trailers are marked FRT, Free Rolling Tyre designed for non-driving, or non steering axles. C-designated are perfectly suitable for caravan use.

 

[Dustydog]

The C stands for Commercial with an aspect ratio of 80% and designed for vehicles carrying heavier loads. IE Light trucks and vans. Tyres designed specifically for trailers are marked FRT, Free Rolling Tyre designed for non-driving, or non steering axles. C-designated are perfectly suitable for caravan use.

I’ve never used FRTs . Is the rubber compound and durability like the Cs. I accept the Cs are light Commercial but they have always been recommended to me as ideal caravan tyres. 🐈‍⬛😉

 

[RogerL]

I’ve never used FRTs . Is the rubber compound and durability like the Cs. I accept the Cs are light Commercial but they have always been recommended to me as ideal caravan tyres. 🐈‍⬛😉

It's no so much that "C" tyres are "ideal caravan tyres", more that their higher Load Index gets them in the range needed.

There's a recommendation, not sure where from, that the Load Index for caravan tyres should exceed the MTPLM by 10% to allow for side-to-side variation in layout and loading.

I go solely by the Load Index and the size.

 

[otherclive]

I’ve never used FRTs . Is the rubber compound and durability like the Cs. I accept the Cs are light Commercial but they have always been recommended to me as ideal caravan tyres. 🐈‍⬛😉

I’ve used GTRadial trailer tyres and Kendo too. They were fitted to my pop top caravan given its small wheel diameter. The GT Radial Kargomax ST6000 that I used gave me a useful uplift in Li and are designed to be more resistant to periods of non use, and tough given trailers have pretty poor suspension compared to cars or even vans. Here’s their website

Kargomax ST-6000 | Tyres | GT RADIAL

gtradial.eu

 

[otherclive]

My

It's no so much that "C" tyres are "ideal caravan tyres", more that their higher Load Index gets them in the range needed.

There's a recommendation, not sure where from, that the Load Index for caravan tyres should exceed the MTPLM by 10% to allow for side-to-side variation in layout and loading.

I go solely by the Load Index and the size.

My last caravan was 45/55% asymmetrical loading when empty and nose heavy too. Took some careful loading, but never gave any concerns when underway.

 

[otherclive]

A good review if GT Radial ST6000 tyres from a car owner clearly feeling the pinch 🤭


24th Dec 2022

Fitted two months ago to a large single axle caravan, bought because of the high load capacity. Not...​

Fitted two months ago to a large single axle caravan, bought because of the high load capacity. Not very many available with the higher load. Caravan handles brakes very well. Would recommend to other caravan users.

Size:185/80 R14

Car Model:Rolls-Royce Cullinan

 

[Hutch]

I changed from Hankooks to GT radials, about £75 each, My local tyre fitter says he has never had problems with them. Known him for over 30 years

 

[JTQ]

Nineteen years ago Hymer put Goodyear Cargo on our caravan, and these we have replaced almost like for like , the only change reflecting their product development over those years.
These are not "C" nor did Hymer see fit to over spec the load rating by 10%, the latter possibly it being a brand they trust is correctly rated.

I have never penny pinched with tyres, trailer, motor car, motor bike or cycles. I just think of them as a safety item, one unfortunately in their role inevitably exposed to abuse, like pot holes, so never felt buying what could be marginal was a wise option.

In the overall costing of our hobby, even investing in the better tyres does not account for a big percentage.

 

[Hutch]

Nineteen years ago Hymer put Goodyear Cargo on our caravan, and these we have replaced almost like for like , the only change reflecting their product development over those years.
These are not "C" nor did Hymer see fit to over spec the load rating by 10%, the latter possibly it being a brand they trust is correctly rated.

I have never penny pinched with tyres, trailer, motor car, motor bike or cycles. I just think of them as a safety item, one unfortunately in their role inevitably exposed to abuse, like pot holes, so never felt buying what could be marginal was a wise option.

In the overall costing of our hobby, even investing in the better tyres does not account for a big percentage.

You are so correct, when cutting rubber on a lathe, you use water as a lubricant.

I know tyres are now rubber and silicone, but the grip of a tyre to the road is lost by water, ( rain).