Tyres

[Terry_374349434]

Being a caravan virgin of 8 months and 3 trips, I am mindfull of the safety aspect of towing a caravan and the reliability of tyres. My 2004 Sterling Europa 500L is currently fitted with Dunlop SP Sport 200 195/70 R14 95N showing a 2003 date code, so I am going to change them for the new season and fit Tyron bands. Problem is Dunlop do not make them anymore..! Having scoured the premier brand websites it would seem that the Bridgestone SF226 195/70 R14 95S RFD would be a suitable replacement - does anybody have any thoughts on this one..? Thanks.

Rgds,

Terry.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Terry

I am not a tyre expert, but to my way of thinking the tyres on a caravan or any trailer do not have to cope with the same dynamics as those used on a car. They do not provide steerage, or the traction. They in essence 'trail'

Clearly they need to be sufficiently durable to carry the weight of the caravan, and to have enough water displacement technology to ensure good contact with the road so that braking is effective.

Given those points above, and the usual case that the caravan does relatively little mileage each year, I do not think using premium tyres on a caravan is justified.

 

[JTQ]

The most important thing you need to ensure, other that the obvious correct size, is the load rating of the tyres.

Your existing tyres have the index "95N", this 95 means the tyre is for a maximum load of 690 kg, and so the pair can carry 1380kg.

Make absolutely sure your vans Max permitted weight is no greater than this.

If the vans layout would in your opinion give an asymmetric loading allow for this in your selection. People talk about "ply ratings", these have no real relevance other that a description of the construction, though I feel the higher this is the stiffer the wall ought to be and this is no bad thing in a caravan tyre.

See this link for more ratings; http://www.blackcircles.com/general/sidewall

The N means it's a "van" tyre with a speed rating of 87 mph and thus an ideal tyre rating for use on a caravan. Being specifically a van tyre also implies that it ough to have a rugged construction, possibly featuring a "kerbing" ring on the side wall.

On speed ratings don't go less than 82 mph or you will be illegal on French Autoroutes, irrespective of what speed you are traveling.

The "S" rating one you have found is for 111 mph so speed wise is fine; just make sure that 95 load rating is comfortably adequate.

 

[rayc]

JTQ, Why is it assummed that the N in the rating means it is a van tyre - is this not just the speed rating? When I had a van with this size tyre there was a C after the size i.e 195/R14C which indicated it was a "commercial" tyre.

 

[JTQ]

Ray,

Its not an assumption on my part that "N" refers to a van tyre its the notation along with "P" for high speeds used in the industry;

why I have not a clue.

See the link I gave: http://www.blackcircles.com/general/sidewall

John

 

[Terry_374349434]

Thanks to everyone who responded, much appreciated. John has made a good point about the premium brand tyres but I have always been uncomfortable with 'unknown' brands, the major manufacturers will have conducted exhaustive testing and have stable manufacturing processes, so the chances of getting a 'dud' should be reduced.

Thanks JTQ, I think we are in broad agreement here. Bridgestone and Swift are comfortable with me using the Bridgestones, so I will probably go for those. However, if anyone has any other recommendations, please let me know fairly quickly. Thanks again.

Regards,

Terry.

 

[gary]

Fully in agreement with JohnL regarding fitting overly expensive tyre to a caravan, seems a waste of money when your paying for something the caravan cannot make use of. Still everyone to there own but as you asked, I'd consider 'GT Maxmiler' tyres if they make a suitable size with the correct load/speed rating.

I'm also with Ray regarding the 'N', as with 'P' these are simply fairly low speed rating numbers, certainly it's the first I've heard of them meaning anything else.

You can find a full explanation specifically regarding caravan tyres here: http://www.tyresafe.org/data/files/TyreSafeCaravan.pdf

Also useful for the accurate pressure chart and can I ask you note the bit about load ratings as these people recommend a higher load rated tyre than often originally fitted?

 

[gary]

I think I see where Blackcircle are coming from, there still not specifically 'van' tyres but they've subdivided the table to show typical use.

Tyres with a heavy load ability but at a relatively low speed as typically used on commercial vans. That's as opposed to 'car' tyre, a high speed tyre which still needs a relatively heavy load ability to withstand the forces generated by use on a car at those higher speeds.