tyres
- Thread starter joner818
- Start date
Kwikfit do the same tyre cost plus £20 for home fitting only £20 regardless of how many tyres - had two on the car at the same time.
I have also used e-tyres for both the caravan and the car. Their website is pretty good for looking for tyres suitable for caravans as they show reinforced tyres and load ratings. So even if you don't buy from them you can at least get an idea of what is available.
David
David
Thanks for the recommendation of etyres.
We plan to replace our caravan tyres before we start again in March and this website is handy to know.
We plan to replace our caravan tyres before we start again in March and this website is handy to know.
Same. Local tyre fitter, our nearby local village fitter who really does specialise in regular car and high performance tyres and all kinds of regular tractor and commercial vehicle and trailer tyres at prices that Kwikfit and others never beat.
Plus he balances caravan wheels without being asked.
Plus he balances caravan wheels without being asked.
For years I used a local tyre supplier but I found they had no continuity. Also most don't have much in the way of tyres suitable for caravans. That is the beauty of the likes of etyres, there is lots of info online and you get an excellent range from budget to premium and they come out to you. Etyres are sort of local anyway because it is a franchise business with dealers all over the place.
David
David
I always use a local independent, maybe I'm lucky but although he keeps little stock, he can get almost any tyre in inside a couple of hours, also knocks the likes of etyres into a cocked hat on price, ie, my Michelin Sport3 car tyres 245x18/40, etyres £220, Ben £145!, no contest then and I don't tell him what price he needs to better either, first prices he gives always beats any other I've found.
I had my caravan tyres fitted at costco. I went mid afternoon during the week, so they weren't too busy, and parked towcar and caravan in the carpark. I jacked the caravan up (my choice, they were happy to do it) one side at a time without even unhitching.
Get the new tyres balanced - if makes a big difference.
Get the new tyres balanced - if makes a big difference.
You don't give your location, but I used North East Auto (used to be North East Tyre and Auto) who have branches all over the NE and N Yorks. There places are impressive - you could eat your lunch off the floor of the bays - and you get free Interweb and coffee whilst you wait. They are also very competitive and if you have a local quote they will match or beat it.
Only thing, whoever you use ring first to make sure they are in stock as caravan tyres (also used by some vans and trailers) are a relative rarity. Also make sure you get re-inforced but do be prepared to have to accept a slightly different size or rating. For instance mine takes 185/70-14 which are like rocking horse muck, but 185/75-14's are much more common and will make no difference whatsoever to how the 'van handles.
Only thing, whoever you use ring first to make sure they are in stock as caravan tyres (also used by some vans and trailers) are a relative rarity. Also make sure you get re-inforced but do be prepared to have to accept a slightly different size or rating. For instance mine takes 185/70-14 which are like rocking horse muck, but 185/75-14's are much more common and will make no difference whatsoever to how the 'van handles.
If you go for commercial van tyres such as 185/75/14 they will have most probably a higher load rating than some caravan tyres (ie trailermaxx, or KargomaxST4000) and be no more expensive as the sales of van tyres are much more competitive than for trailer/caravan tyres. You will also find it easier to source premuim tyres from the mainline manufacturers such as Goodyear, Hankook, Continental, Avon etc. for about the same price as tyres such as Trailermaxx and Kargomax ST4000 which are in the 'budget' bracket.
Glad I found this thread, as I have to replace tyres this year. Just had a quote from a 'caravan tyre supplier', and he said that having just done a check, the only two brands that he could get were Barham Vanis and Chenzin?. Sorry about possible incorrect spelling of tyre names.
These sound like budget tyres, not something I would be happy to tow with.
I will ask the service man for advice on local fitters. If he is unable to help, I may well give Etyers a call.
Norman.
These sound like budget tyres, not something I would be happy to tow with.
I will ask the service man for advice on local fitters. If he is unable to help, I may well give Etyers a call.
Norman.
Barum are widely used in Europe and mid range.Not always particularly cheap if in 'uncommon' sizes such as 190/70/14 especially if you want to raise the LI. That's why I fit 185/75/14 you get mainstream makes with a higher LI and prices are more competitive
I have used the vannis tyres before on vans and they give good service with long life and are resistant to drivers kerbing them.
Only downside is they are now not as cheap as they were but they do grip the road much better than a lot of the Chinese makes out there.
Only downside is they are now not as cheap as they were but they do grip the road much better than a lot of the Chinese makes out there.
Picking up on Clives post, while if the original tyres are being used to their limit, it is always a good idea to raise the load index of the new caravans tyres, it must be remembered the required pressure is going to change.
Taking the two tyres clive mentioned, these are totally different in their construction and the pressures for a given load vary widely. The original 195/70x14 96LI is a 'reinforced' tyre and these have a maximum pressure of 42psi
However the 185/75x14 102LI is a 'light commercial tyre', (what used to be called 6 or 8ply') this has a maximum pressure of 69psi, actually this particular tyre has a higher stated max pressure than any other, the rest of this type are either 54 or 65psi, depending on their exact construction.
So, taking the original 195/70's at the max pressure, they can carry 1420kg per pair. On the other hand, the 185/75 carries 1700kg at their highest pressure and would need 55psi at 1420psi, so would be 13psi under pressure if the original tyres pressure was still assumed to be correct.
Finally, while the 185/75 is more available, it is still not a prefered size, for a slight increase in the caravans ride height, (approx 11mm, 3/8"), the 185/80x 14 102 is the more popular size and because of that, a lot cheaper. This tyre using the same example needs 52psi at 1420kg
Taking the two tyres clive mentioned, these are totally different in their construction and the pressures for a given load vary widely. The original 195/70x14 96LI is a 'reinforced' tyre and these have a maximum pressure of 42psi
However the 185/75x14 102LI is a 'light commercial tyre', (what used to be called 6 or 8ply') this has a maximum pressure of 69psi, actually this particular tyre has a higher stated max pressure than any other, the rest of this type are either 54 or 65psi, depending on their exact construction.
So, taking the original 195/70's at the max pressure, they can carry 1420kg per pair. On the other hand, the 185/75 carries 1700kg at their highest pressure and would need 55psi at 1420psi, so would be 13psi under pressure if the original tyres pressure was still assumed to be correct.
Finally, while the 185/75 is more available, it is still not a prefered size, for a slight increase in the caravans ride height, (approx 11mm, 3/8"), the 185/80x 14 102 is the more popular size and because of that, a lot cheaper. This tyre using the same example needs 52psi at 1420kg
Gary,
thanks for the info where do you get the tyre inflation data from. I have always used a formula which relates load index max load, max pressure at max load and working load. Example LI 100 with max load per tyre 800kg and 60 psi max inflation pressure with an actual tyre load 700kg gives 700/800 X 60 = 52.5psi. Are there any table available similar to the LI/load tables or are pressures specific to each make of tyre given its own specific construction details.
My original 195/70/14/LI96 tyres only had a max pressure of 42psi and a load rating of 700kg so I uprated them to GT Radial Kargomax ST6000 with a LI of 104 so they give a much greater increase in load margin compared to the OEM tyres. However 195 /70/14 can be difficult to obtain in LIs of 100 and the Barum Vanis is the only other one from a reptutable manufacturer that I have identified. So I have chosen 185/75/14 as compared to the 185/R14 they do not require me to adjust the clearance between the motor mover and the tyre. This is set at 20mm and a 3/8 inch increase in tyre radius such as with the 185/R14reduces the clearance by 10mm.
Regarding price there is very little difference between commercial van tyres from a well known make and dedicated trailer tyres such as Kargomax ST6000. Looking at prices for 185/R14 LI102 you see Dunlop, Goodyear , Firestone at around £70-73 delivered and 185/75/14 delivered for similar prices. When you have a tonne and a half of alloy behind you a couple of quid either way makes no difference to me. Also the mainline tyres probably have better braking and roadholding which helps when the unexpected happens.
It's a bit of a misnomer regarding caravan tyres being reinforced as the vast majority of caravans are now running on commercial van tyres which as we know probabaly take more arduous usage in their daily life than caravans ever see. My OEM Trailermaxx caravan specific tyres were stated as Reinforced on the side wall but had less belts than the 185/75/14 commercial van tyres.
thanks for the info where do you get the tyre inflation data from. I have always used a formula which relates load index max load, max pressure at max load and working load. Example LI 100 with max load per tyre 800kg and 60 psi max inflation pressure with an actual tyre load 700kg gives 700/800 X 60 = 52.5psi. Are there any table available similar to the LI/load tables or are pressures specific to each make of tyre given its own specific construction details.
My original 195/70/14/LI96 tyres only had a max pressure of 42psi and a load rating of 700kg so I uprated them to GT Radial Kargomax ST6000 with a LI of 104 so they give a much greater increase in load margin compared to the OEM tyres. However 195 /70/14 can be difficult to obtain in LIs of 100 and the Barum Vanis is the only other one from a reptutable manufacturer that I have identified. So I have chosen 185/75/14 as compared to the 185/R14 they do not require me to adjust the clearance between the motor mover and the tyre. This is set at 20mm and a 3/8 inch increase in tyre radius such as with the 185/R14reduces the clearance by 10mm.
Regarding price there is very little difference between commercial van tyres from a well known make and dedicated trailer tyres such as Kargomax ST6000. Looking at prices for 185/R14 LI102 you see Dunlop, Goodyear , Firestone at around £70-73 delivered and 185/75/14 delivered for similar prices. When you have a tonne and a half of alloy behind you a couple of quid either way makes no difference to me. Also the mainline tyres probably have better braking and roadholding which helps when the unexpected happens.
It's a bit of a misnomer regarding caravan tyres being reinforced as the vast majority of caravans are now running on commercial van tyres which as we know probabaly take more arduous usage in their daily life than caravans ever see. My OEM Trailermaxx caravan specific tyres were stated as Reinforced on the side wall but had less belts than the 185/75/14 commercial van tyres.
untill reading this thread through I did not realise that that other owners had come up with the same conclusion that I had and that is sometimes van manufacturers while fitting adequate tyres to thier vans do not allow a big enough margin in the LI there may be reasons for this but a good look around when the time comes to change them is definitly a good idea.
one thing I did find out though after changing the tyres on the van to a higher rated LI (with the increase in tyre pressures) it made the van ride harsher or stiffer if you like, the addition of a pair of shock absorbers may be required to soften the difference in road tyres.
one thing I did find out though after changing the tyres on the van to a higher rated LI (with the increase in tyre pressures) it made the van ride harsher or stiffer if you like, the addition of a pair of shock absorbers may be required to soften the difference in road tyres.
Where is from Tyresafe's original caravan tyre advice, for some reason the pressure charts are no longer there but I have copies.
The charts show the formula you speak of, while useful, is not accurate, the more you move away from the tyres maximum pressure, the more inaccurate it gets.
The reason is, the stated pressure is a result of the required volume of air needing to fit into the available volume contained within any given tyre. ie 1000kg needs 1cube metre of air to support it and all this has to be crammed into a tyre containing far less than 1cube metre of space. So the first part is not too difficult and resultant pressure will be, relative to the maximum, low but it gets more and more difficult as you reach the tyres maximum and back pressure tries to prevent further air getting in, therefore a graph showing weight against pressure would be a curve, but, for the formula to be accurate it would have to be a straight line.
Good news is and for the same reasons, the formula has to give a higher pressure than actually required so to that degree, safe for the tyres, but a harsher ride for the van than required. Close to maximum it maybe only 1 or 2psi and near enough, but can be 7-8-9psi too much at around half the tyres max pressure and below.
Add that inaccuracy to a lighter than fully loaded van and is it any wonder the van hops about on the road?!
Regards availability, while 185/75x14 are fairly easy to obtain in the UK and at not too much more money, I'm reliably informed this is not always the case on the Continent?, This then may leave you in a mess waiting for a replacement while standard 185x14 are universally available off the shelf.
Perhaps then, half an hour with two 20mm block of wood and a spanner to adjust the motor mover is time well spent?
The charts show the formula you speak of, while useful, is not accurate, the more you move away from the tyres maximum pressure, the more inaccurate it gets.
The reason is, the stated pressure is a result of the required volume of air needing to fit into the available volume contained within any given tyre. ie 1000kg needs 1cube metre of air to support it and all this has to be crammed into a tyre containing far less than 1cube metre of space. So the first part is not too difficult and resultant pressure will be, relative to the maximum, low but it gets more and more difficult as you reach the tyres maximum and back pressure tries to prevent further air getting in, therefore a graph showing weight against pressure would be a curve, but, for the formula to be accurate it would have to be a straight line.
Good news is and for the same reasons, the formula has to give a higher pressure than actually required so to that degree, safe for the tyres, but a harsher ride for the van than required. Close to maximum it maybe only 1 or 2psi and near enough, but can be 7-8-9psi too much at around half the tyres max pressure and below.
Add that inaccuracy to a lighter than fully loaded van and is it any wonder the van hops about on the road?!
Regards availability, while 185/75x14 are fairly easy to obtain in the UK and at not too much more money, I'm reliably informed this is not always the case on the Continent?, This then may leave you in a mess waiting for a replacement while standard 185x14 are universally available off the shelf.
Perhaps then, half an hour with two 20mm block of wood and a spanner to adjust the motor mover is time well spent?
What do you mean by a 'standard' 185x14? There is always another number between the '185' and the '14', as that defines the aspect ratio.gary said:
In that respect, there is no such thing as a 'standard' 185x14.
Gary thank you for your comprehensive reply on pressures I often find that tyre suppliers do not have the info as they are more used to supplying tyres to 4wheel vehicles which go for original load index and original sizes. In the end I would contact the manufactures tech dept.
Re Lutz's point in Uk many tyres are just advertised as 185/R14 or other widths without aspect ratio being shown. They all tend to be 80%.... Another of our strange national quirks!
Re Lutz's point in Uk many tyres are just advertised as 185/R14 or other widths without aspect ratio being shown. They all tend to be 80%.... Another of our strange national quirks!
Lutz said:
Yes and no Lutz, by 'standard' tyres I mean full height aspect ratio and these are often marked without the percentage.
However and starting in the days of cross ply tyres, the standard aspect, the only aspect, was 100% of the width, with the introduction of radials the original standard was 82% of the width. Most if not all 82% are now 80% but it's not a fixed criteria, if marked 80, it is, if not, it could be either
On normal car type tyres and reinforced tyres, two tyres of otherwise the same size, but one with 80 and the other without, denotes a slightly different tyre, ie the load index of those marked 80 increases by one. The aspect if not marked may be 80 or 82%
In the case of light comercial tyres, there is no pairs of same size tyres, albeit there are 6 or 8ply in the same sizes but marked accordingly, so those of 80% are generally not marked, those lower than 80% of course are
Could you please explain what the load index has to do with the aspect ratio? Surely, both are independent of each other, with the load index being the number that appears on the tyre marking following the rim size.gary said:
Nothing, but the absence or presence of '80' is used to differentiate between two otherwise visually indentical tyres, ie, 165R13-82, 165/80R13-83. It must also be remembered, originally the tyre without was 82%, but that's not always the case now.
Why then there are still two tyres so similar is perhaps a better question?, I've no idea on the answer to that!
This BTW, was just one of the explanation given by a tyre industry technical bod, just as an aside to many questions over several phone calls and emails, not a guess
Ultimately, this is in response to your incorrect statement, 'always has a number in between', they do not and that is often for a reason.
Why then there are still two tyres so similar is perhaps a better question?, I've no idea on the answer to that!
This BTW, was just one of the explanation given by a tyre industry technical bod, just as an aside to many questions over several phone calls and emails, not a guess
Ultimately, this is in response to your incorrect statement, 'always has a number in between', they do not and that is often for a reason.
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