Ducato Motorhome 15" or 16" wheels?

[lex131]

Hello,

I have Benimar Mileo 263 that i bought used (2020 model) and it came with 2 complete wheel sets, summer and winter, both with 15" rims.

The summer tires are 215/70/R15C
The winter tires are 225/70/R15C

A few people have told me, switch to 16" if you care about your motorhome, it will absorb more of the shocks of road irregularities and will keep the motorhome's structure in better shape.

I'm not the one to take advice and act on it straight away, i like to investigate all theories until I'm satisfied.

The size they suggest is 225/75/R16C

How big of a difference does it make? Is it worth the investment?

 

[Jackd]

Hi, Welcome to Fun.
I changed from 15” to 16” & the difference was chalk n cheese.
A far smoother ride, slightly longer gears & an accurate speedo. What’s not to like.

 

[Lenny HB]

Also a lot more ground clearance.

 

[Lenny HB]

Jackd with the larger wheels and bigger tyres you gain a quite a lot of height.

 

[Jackd]

I should have got an actual measurement when I changed, but I was too eager
You’re right though Lenny, it’s a noticeable increase, judging by the step up into the van.

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[Jackd]

 

[Two on Tour]

Jackd with the larger wheels and bigger tyres you gain a quite a lot of height.

Going by the tyre sizes the OP quoted, going from their summer tires at 215/70/R15C to the 225/75/R16C, there will be a gain of 2.4" in diameter, therefore a height gain of 1.2".

 

[Lenny HB]

Going by the tyre sizes the OP quoted, going from their summer tires at 215/70/R15C to the 225/75/R16C, there will be a gain of 2.4" in diameter, therefore a height gain of 1.2".

Thats a 25% ground clearance gain on a lot of vans on the low chassis.

 

[Two on Tour]

I changed from 15" steels to 16" alloys on our van but went from 215/70/R15 to 225/65/R16, so the tyre diameter was virtually the same, but the ride comfort was greatly improved partly due to being able to reduce the tyre pressure on the 16" tyres.

 

[Two on Tour]

Thats a 25% ground clearance gain on a lot of vans on the low chassis.

Bear in mind that the OP's 15" tyre profile is 70 not the normal 75 which increased the height difference by 1/2" of the 1.2"

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[Lenny HB]

Bear in mind that the OP's 15" tyre profile is 70 not the normal 75 which increases the height difference by 1/2" of the 1.2"

I my be dumb but I'm not that dumb.

 

[lex131]

Thanks for all the replies guys, really appreciate it.

Now, the decision is pretty clear - I'm going to switch to 16".

Second question: used but original Fiat Ducato Alloy rims (like in the image above) 16" are about 600 Euros where I live.
Steel rims used: 240 Euros
Steel rims new: 320-350 Euros

Any advantage on the alloys besides the cosmetic part? (from what i know the weight difference is small).

 

[Guigsy]

Is the PCD the same? It used to be that 15" wheels had a tighter bolt pattern.

 

[Two on Tour]

Is the PCD the same? It used to be that 15" wheels had a tighter bolt pattern.

Both steels and alloys are available in the smaller diameter 15" 5x118mm PCD, which our van has.

 

[Jackd]

Is the PCD the same? It used to be that 15" wheels had a tighter bolt pattern.

The light chassis uses 118 pcd and the heavier chassis is a 130 pcd from memory

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[lex131]

Yes, I have the 118 PCD, went and measured it an hour ago to make sure. What i'm interested in is if the Alloys are worth the money difference over the steel ones..

 

[Jackd]

Probably not, truth be known.

Can’t remember the last time someone moaned about kerbing a steel wheel

 

[Mikeyv60]

Hi, Welcome to Fun.
I changed from 15” to 16” & the difference was chalk n cheese.
A far smoother ride, slightly longer gears & an accurate speedo. What’s not to like.

The size he already has compared to the new ones recommended gives 65mph compared to 60mph?

 

[Mikeyv60]

Also a lot more ground clearance.

Is 3 cms alot? Some cases yes

 

[Two on Tour]

The size he already has compared to the new ones recommended gives 65mph compared to 60mph?

I rely on the speed readout on my dashcam as it gives an accurate indication of my speed regardless of the tyre size.

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[Jev88]

I read that for the alloy wheels to be correct load rating they end up as heavy as a steel wheel so no weight saving. However, they look better and won't go rusty like the standard steel van wheels?

 

[bigtree]

Just don’t buy diamond cut alloys, I went for dark grey. One to match the van and two to hide the brake dust.
I got a great deal with,
Performance alloys.
Use,
WELCOMEBACK10 at checkout.

 

[Mikeyv60]

I rely on the speed readout on my dashcam as it gives an accurate indication of my speed regardless of the tyre size.

The answer was to the post ref of an accurate speedo with a change of tyres.

 

[Two on Tour]

The answer was to the post ref of an accurate speedo with a change of tyres.

...... and my reply was basically ..... so what, it does not matter, the speedo readout is inaccurate anyway regardless of tyre size.

 

[Jackd]

The answer was to the post ref of an accurate speedo with a change of tyres.

The speedo now duplicates what my gps speedo says. That’s all

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[vzac]

I have gone up from 15 to 16 in with 225/75. Hated the 15 in. Also uprated the front suspension, as the rear had been uprated to 3.8t the front was much lower so as well as the wheels giving more lift, the front upgrade raised it further. The balance is not as good now, but have got used to it.

 

[lex131]

Thanks a lot guys. Second decision made with your help: Steel it is

And probably the final question on this topic since there's a lot of people in here with experience and willingness to help:

I hear a lot of people only using winter tires on their motorhomes, all year round. How about you? Winter tires all the way or separate winter and summer tires?

And since we're on the subject - what brand are you using? Thanks a lot!

 

[Boringfrog]

Plenty of Motorhomes come with 15inch rims as standard, if I had a winter on summer set I'd be sticking with the 15's.

 

[Two on Tour]

Thanks a lot guys. Second decision made with your help: Steel it is

And probably the final question on this topic since there's a lot of people in here with experience and willingness to help:

I hear a lot of people only using winter tires on their motorhomes, all year round. How about you? Winter tires all the way or separate winter and summer tires?

And since we're on the subject - what brand are you using? Thanks a lot!

I run summer tyres all year round and they perform well for me, but we are not travelling to countries or areas where winter tyres would really be of benefit or are a requirement over the winter months.

 

[Mikeyv60]

...... and my reply was basically ..... so what, it does not matter, the speedo readout is inaccurate anyway regardless of tyre size.

But you have a dash cam