Advice on buying all-season tyres for motorhome

[Vanman]

Hi - first time needing to change tyres on PVC. On my car I'd go to Blackcircles or similar find a good deal and have them delivered to a National fitting service in the NW England. I'm guessing it's not quite so simple with the Van as not everywhere will have the roof / ramp height. I'll be looking for M+S all season tyres. All advice welcome - thanks!

 

[poppycamper]

Personally i would get another year out of them..
Sure others will be quick to agree/disagree.!!
At the end of the day it is your decision regardless of what others recommend..

 

[Lenny HB]

On the main chassis rail, just in front of the axle tube, but NOT on the axle tube.

No that is not correct see my post #11.

 

[Lenny HB]

A slightly different tyre query, sort of related, the answers to which may also be of interest.

We were intended to change all four tyres for this coming season (still not sure what to put on at present but that's another matter!), currently running with Conti Vanco campers. I would be interested to learn others opinions whether to change this year or possibly, get another season out of them, probably about 7000 miles this coming year. All 4 tyres have equal wear (I have swapped front with rear two years ago to achieve this, front wheel drive) and each tyre is evenly worn across it's width, about 3.8mm remaining. The tyres were fitted 2017, so this will be the 7th (or possibly 8th) season of use. According to MOT records (we have owned only for 3 yrs), about 33k since tyres were fitted, on inspection, no signs of splitting or crazing across tread or sidewalls.

So, I suppose I'm wondering is it best to change now or wait another year.

Any thoughts/suggestions much appreciated.

At that age I would definitely change them at 3.8mm they pretty worn.
I changed mine at 3 years old 4mm on the front 4.5mm on the rear. I'll admit main reason was to get rid of the crap camper tyres.

 

[DDJC]

A slightly different tyre query, sort of related, the answers to which may also be of interest.

We were intended to change all four tyres for this coming season (still not sure what to put on at present but that's another matter!), currently running with Conti Vanco campers. I would be interested to learn others opinions whether to change this year or possibly, get another season out of them, probably about 7000 miles this coming year. All 4 tyres have equal wear (I have swapped front with rear two years ago to achieve this, front wheel drive) and each tyre is evenly worn across it's width, about 3.8mm remaining. The tyres were fitted 2017, so this will be the 7th (or possibly 8th) season of use. According to MOT records (we have owned only for 3 yrs), about 33k since tyres were fitted, on inspection, no signs of splitting or crazing across tread or sidewalls.

So, I suppose I'm wondering is it best to change now or wait another year.

Any thoughts/suggestions much appreciated.

I scrapped my Conti Vancos when I went up a size last week. They were on from new, had done 18,000 miles, no cracks or splitting (that I could see) and were dated 2017. Never swapped them round and had 5mm on the back and 4mm on the front. One of the fronts had lost a pea-sized chunk out of them

I would certainly jack it up and check each tyre all round carefully. Any missing bits, wear or cracks of any kind, anywhere, I would replace. But. 3.8mm is not enough for me. Gone are the days when I replaced the bald budget tyres on an old Ford Escort with remoulds! If it was my bus, with my family in it, I would replace. Like as not, next year they will cost at least £10 more per tyre, anyway. If you have the money, I would replace, but If you are happy with what you have, you should be OK to get another season out of them.

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[EEyin]

Hi - first time needing to change tyres on PVC. On my car I'd go to Blackcircles or similar find a good deal and have them delivered to a National fitting service in the NW England. I'm guessing it's not quite so simple with the Van as not everywhere will have the roof / ramp height. I'll be looking for M+S all season tyres. All advice welcome - thanks!

last November my new car tyres from Black circle were fitted by a mobile fitter in the drive. Id get the same if my van needed tyres.

 

[prenteye]

Lesson for me is to check the tyres regularly for wear, cracking and bulging - all of which can happen in seemingly new tyres.

Had some nice Pirellis on a Volvo estate and couldn’t work out the drumming sound when on dual carriageway. Most driving was local so tended to forget to check. Finally found a flat spot in the middle of the tread. New tyres sorted the drumming noise and demonstrated how casual I’d been about tyres.

More careful now and esp on moho.

Kwik Fit have been fine for us as very local and within a few £ of having to travel further.

Halfords mobile service was also very good but don’t seem to do it in our area for mohos any more.

Think Halfords guy was tea but will check again next time.

PS we put Michelin cross climate on front of little Exsis. All fine so far but not tested on mud and snow ️

 

[aaa001]

Had the van MOT'd today at my local independant garage who does my servicing, all good but advisory on the age of tyres, now 8 years old but still plenty of tread, vans only done 13500 miles from new, ordered continental vanco campers from him and getting fitted tomorrow, £3 cheaper than all the bigger online outlets like halfords,black circles and Asda. As the garage chap ( who is a motorhome owner himself ) says, if the tyre blows out it could cost thousand of pounds of damage to the van or injury if it causes an accident.

 

[jennywren]

I scrapped my Conti Vancos when I went up a size last week. They were on from new, had done 18,000 miles, no cracks or splitting (that I could see) and were dated 2017. Never swapped them round and had 5mm on the back and 4mm on the front. One of the fronts had lost a pea-sized chunk out of them

I would certainly jack it up and check each tyre all round carefully. Any missing bits, wear or cracks of any kind, anywhere, I would replace. But. 3.8mm is not enough for me. Gone are the days when I replaced the bald budget tyres on an old Ford Escort with remoulds! If it was my bus, with my family in it, I would replace. Like as not, next year they will cost at least £10 more per tyre, anyway. If you have the money, I would replace, but If you are happy with what you have, you should be OK to get another season out of them.

Many thanks, very informative. Your sentiments pretty much th

I scrapped my Conti Vancos when I went up a size last week. They were on from new, had done 18,000 miles, no cracks or splitting (that I could see) and were dated 2017. Never swapped them round and had 5mm on the back and 4mm on the front. One of the fronts had lost a pea-sized chunk out of them

I would certainly jack it up and check each tyre all round carefully. Any missing bits, wear or cracks of any kind, anywhere, I would replace. But. 3.8mm is not enough for me. Gone are the days when I replaced the bald budget tyres on an old Ford Escort with remoulds! If it was my bus, with my family in it, I would replace. Like as not, next year they will cost at least £10 more per tyre, anyway. If you have the money, I would replace, but If you are happy with what you have, you should be OK to get another season out of them.

Many thanks. (sorry for impulsive fingers above). Your sentiments pretty much align with mine, but I suppose always hoping to delay a larger expense for one more season. I always intended replacing for this season so I guess I will go with gut feel and have them replaced. Your admission of replacing 'bald budget tyres on a ford escort' made me laugh and brought back memories. I remember doing that on my first car (a for escort), often with re-moulds if I remember correctly. Even remember doing it myself with tyre levers. Ah, those were the days...! (or perhaps not!). Cheers.

 

[jennywren]

At that age I would definitely change them at 3.8mm they pretty worn.
I changed mine at 3 years old 4mm on the front 4.5mm on the rear. I'll admit main reason was to get rid of the crap camper tyres.

Hi Lenny
Thanks for advice, I think you are right and we will go with new tyres for this coming season. Just wondered why you don't think the 'camper' tyres (do you mean Continental Vanco Camper?) are not much good. It's the only ones we have ever had, they seemed fine but I have nothing to compare against. We are considering going across to BF Goodrich, but this is for the 'all season' reasons rather than anything else.
Cheers.

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[jennywren]

Had the van MOT'd today at my local independant garage who does my servicing, all good but advisory on the age of tyres, now 8 years old but still plenty of tread, vans only done 13500 miles from new, ordered continental vanco campers from him and getting fitted tomorrow, £3 cheaper than all the bigger online outlets like halfords,black circles and Asda. As the garage chap ( who is a motorhome owner himself ) says, if the tyre blows out it could cost thousand of pounds of damage to the van or injury if it causes an accident.

Good advice I think.

 

[Lenny HB]

Hi Lenny
Thanks for advice, I think you are right and we will go with new tyres for this coming season. Just wondered why you don't think the 'camper' tyres (do you mean Continental Vanco Camper?) are not much good. It's the only ones we have ever had, they seemed fine but I have nothing to compare against. We are considering going across to BF Goodrich, but this is for the 'all season' reasons rather than anything else.
Cheers.

I had Michelins on mine, terrible grip level and awful ride, Contis are a bit better but I still prefer van tryes much nicer ride.

 

[jennywren]

I had Michelins on mine, terrible grip level and awful ride, Contis are a bit better but I still prefer van tryes much nicer ride.

Thanks for clarification, will bear that in mind.

 

[Rapido925M]

I had my Goodyears fitted this morning and so far so good (only 20 miles). They certainly made deeper grooves in my lawn!

However, the fitters were a little agitated because apparently they have a maximum pressure of 69 psi and they spent some time looking at what I was already using. I told them that it was not a problem as I was going with 45/51, so they seemed happy to fit them

Gordon

 

[Just smiffy]

Went and got my wheels rotated today at my usual fitters, I said how much for cash… £2

Gave them a tenner for their tea and biscuit tub…

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[Mleabon]

I set my tyres to what the handbook says. The pressures I got from tyresafe seemed much too low.
I measured the axle weights and asked Pirelli what the pressures should be, as recommend in all the motorhome magazines, but they wouldn't tell me. Probably a liability thing. The handbook was the only option.

 

[Lenny HB]

However, the fitters were a little agitated because apparently they have a maximum pressure of 69 psi

The psi max on the side of the tyre is only for the American market a tyre fitter should know that,.

 

[TheMachMan]

This is an “interesting“ subject. Our van runs very high pressure appx 70 or 80psi from memory.
But this seems to be way higher than the handbook. Currently running the Agilas CP’s.

Appreciate a sanity check on my calcs in red.

 

[Lenny HB]

This is an “interesting“ subject. Our van runs very high pressure appx 70 or 80psi from memory.
But this seems to be way higher than the handbook. Currently running the Agilas CP’s.
View attachment 865379
Appreciate a sanity check on my calcs in red.

Carthago are one of the few if not the only converter that give realistic tyre pressures.

 

[Vanman]

Just in case anyone was wondering ... I ended up buying x4 of these from Blackcircles and fitted by ATS, they inflated them to 70 psi and they feel good.

Blackcircles

Continental

Vancontact 4season

C

A

73​

159.68​

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[Rapido925M]

Carthago are one of the few if not the only converter that give realistic tyre pressures.

Why should a converter give the figures? My van comes with a handbook produced by Mercedes quoting figures for each axle weight listed by tyre dimensions. Surely Fiat/Citroen/Ford/Renault etc should supply this information because the shape/size/contents of the superstructure has no effect IMO.

Gordon

 

[Lenny HB]

Why should a converter give the figures? My van comes with a handbook produced by Mercedes quoting figures for each axle weight listed by tyre dimensions. Surely Fiat/Citroen/Ford/Renault etc should supply this information because the shape/size/contents of the superstructure has no effect IMO.

Gordon

BecauseMitchelin always quote 80 psi for the rear axle regardless of load is one reason. It's the tyre manufacturer that recommend the pressurers not the chassis manufacturer.

 

[Rapido925M]

BecauseMitchelin always quote 80 psi for the rear axle regardless of load is one reason. It's the tyre manufacturer that recommend the pressurers not the chassis manufacturer.

But why do people accept/worship those figures? AFAIK the forces are transmitted between the chassis and ground primarily via the pressure of the air in the tyres. The chassis manufacturers should be the best source of information for the expected size of those and therefore the appropriate air pressure IMO

Ultimately, I shall use Mercedes figures for my tyres and not be overly concerned about what others use.

Gordon

 

[Barryh]

Just in case anyone was wondering ... I ended up buying x4 of these from Blackcircles and fitted by ATS, they inflated them to 70 psi and they feel good.

Blackcircles

Continental

Vancontact 4season

C

A

73​

159.68​

Just had the same tyres fitted at 121 load rating. The local tyre fitter was a bit cheaper than the online sellers. So good to put money into a local firm.

 

[Rapido925M]

FAILURE: off to the garage for an 8:30am appointment this morning to fit a new fuel filter (https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/intermittent-engine-power.298183/)

I drove 2 feet off my hardstanding onto the lawn and STOPPED.
The tyres are rated M&S (also 3 peaks etc) but couldn't cope with my garden. Son lives 5 miles away, left work (thank goodness for WFH) and towed me out then ferried me back from the garage, managing to get to his next on-line meeting only 1 minute late.

As for the tyres, I shall park in my rear yard during the rest of the "winter" season . It does mean a big white box blocking a view of the trellis and border garden, having a problem closing the gates and less space for the car so more chance of the grandkids rubbing it as they pass (hopefully not on bikes).
Obviously, I shall not have much confidence for rally fields or many CL/CS sites with grass pitches.

Gordon

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[DDJC]

FAILURE: off to the garage for an 8:30am appointment this morning to fit a new fuel filter (https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/intermittent-engine-power.298183/)

I drove 2 feet off my hardstanding onto the lawn and STOPPED.
The tyres are rated M&S (also 3 peaks etc) but couldn't cope with my garden. Son lives 5 miles away, left work (thank goodness for WFH) and towed me out then ferried me back from the garage, managing to get to his next on-line meeting only 1 minute late.

As for the tyres, I shall park in my rear yard during the rest of the "winter" season . It does mean a big white box blocking a view of the trellis and border garden, having a problem closing the gates and less space for the car so more chance of the grandkids rubbing it as they pass (hopefully not on bikes).
Obviously, I shall not have much confidence for rally fields or many CL/CS sites with grass pitches.

Gordon

So your new Goodyear Vector 4 seasons are not great for grass?
That's kind of worrying.

Is that a tyre thing, or the weight of your bus, do you think?

 

[Simonnsj]

This is an “interesting“ subject. Our van runs very high pressure appx 70 or 80psi from memory.
But this seems to be way higher than the handbook. Currently running the Agilas CP’s.
View attachment 865379
Appreciate a sanity check on my calcs in red.

Very interesting - we've got Michelin CC's and have been running at 5 bar rear and 4.5 bar front (2400kg rear and 1850kg front axle weights) which makes for an awful ride unless you are on a very smooth road surface. Looking at your chart I am going to try lowering them to the recommended pressures mentioned before our MH disintegrates!

 

[Rapido925M]

So your new Goodyear Vector 4 seasons are not great for grass?
That's kind of worrying.

Is that a tyre thing, or the weight of your bus, do you think?

TBH that part of the lawn is the worst for soft soil .

I've been stuck there a few times, once grateful for a heavy frost which solidified the ground enough to escape. To make matters worse, I washed the van just in front of that spot a couple of weeks ago and as I reversed back onto the hard standing it scrubbed up the grass, leaving tracks. I didn't have any problems getting across it on Monday, reversing with the newly fitted Goodyears but Friday was a disaster, not helped by heavy rain on Thursday night.
My know-it-all son said I should have been going faster (I'd only travelled 8 metres) BUT I will admit that I noticed the step was still out and I was "pulling" it back in so my attention was diverted AND I probably eased up on the throttle.

To rub salt into the wound, the new fuel filter hasn't affected the lack-of-power problem.

Gordon

[Plus son wanted me to replace his shower (£400 from Screwfix and "I'll give you the money next month"), the old one wouldn't come off the push-fit connector and we knicked the copper pipe while sawing it off, so I ended up doing "gas" soldering for the first time in 20y. We discovered that the shower had a small plastic hole-cover missing so I complained to Screwfix. However, I was then told that they have 10% off for February IF you order on the app, so I ordered a new on for next day delivery (£360), took out the piece I wanted and returned it as if it was the £400 version ]

 

[Simon G]

TBH I've never thought about the age of tyres on my cars, probably because they've worn out before age became an issue. Bought our 2012 van in 2017, never changed a tyre, no MOT advisories. Thoughts?

Slightly off-topic, I know, but save a new thread appearing...

 

[Lenny HB]

TBH I've never thought about the age of tyres on my cars, probably because they've worn out before age became an issue. Bought our 2012 van in 2017, never changed a tyre, no MOT advisories. Thoughts?

Slightly off-topic, I know, but save a new thread appearing...

I changed the tyres on my car at 10 years old they looked fine and plenty of tread changed them because of age but it's only used for local runs and it's not carrying 4½ ton at 70 mph.

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

TBH I've never thought about the age of tyres on my cars, probably because they've worn out before age became an issue. Bought our 2012 van in 2017, never changed a tyre, no MOT advisories. Thoughts?

Slightly off-topic, I know, but save a new thread appearing...

The tyre wall will have the Year&week the tyres were manufactured embossed on the wall. The tyres may have been replaced prior to your ownership, so worth a check. If they are original, yes they've passed a visual examination, but
Mike