Help with Tyres please.

[Brakers]

I thought tyres should be replaced after 5 to 6 years

Hi There yes i'd heard that as well as the 8yr change, it's a bit confusing isn't it.

 

[AXO66]

Don’t have winter tyres.

But the tyres that came on our van as new are
Goodyear Marathon 235/65R 16C. 115/113.

Its the 115/113 numbers I’m drawing your attention to, as they are the load rating index.
First number is the rating on single wheel per axle, secound number 113 is i think loading index for two wheels per axle.

Check yours current numbers on your tyres to ensure you have the right load rating on your new tyres.

You need to look up the load index on the web to know what weight they can take.

 

[Brakers]

I have an headache LOL, my MOT is next week I think i'll wait and see what they say.
They did last year inform me of the age of the tyres but it still passed the MOT then so I'll see what they say.
Best Wishes Tony

 

[Hettie's Crew]

I have an headache LOL, my MOT is next week I think i'll wait and see what they say.
They did last year inform me of the age of the tyres but it still passed the MOT then so I'll see what they say.
Best Wishes Tony

They’ll still pass the MOT so long as there are no obvious signs of severe cracking. The number of years old advice is variable because there is so much that can affect the life of a tyre. Continental told me to pay particular attention to the tyres after 5 or 6 years but don’t go over 10 years old regardless of how they look.

 

[Xabia]

Why not contact @Brian and Jo, he is a tyre dealer and gave me very good advice when I purchased from him a year or so ago. He will give you unbiased advice and not rip you off on price.

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[elamessa]

Would you need winter tyres going south from the UK..

 

[DL42846]

Would you need winter tyres going south from the UK..

Depends on the time of year you intend on travelling. Where I live which is about 500 miles south of the uk , our normal winter is like the worst uk winter

 

[elamessa]

Depends on the time of year you intend on travelling. Where I live which is about 500 miles south of the uk , our normal winter is like the worst uk winter

But would the OP be travelling via the Rhone Alps or via the western route in France or even Portsmouth to Santander/Bilbao.
We get quite hard winters here in the Limousin also.

 

[tonyidle]

Kwik Fit: have them professionally checked from 5 years onwards
Michelin: replace after 10 years
Blackcircles: tyres are considered new and fit for sale at up to 5 years old. When in use they should be replaced at 10 years old
Continental: tyres should be replaced at 10 years old.
Uniroyal: should be replaced at 10 years old

Seem pretty clear to me. Change at 10 years old but keep an eye on them for crazing after 5 years or so.

 

[jumar]

Are these load rated for motorhomes as I thought the load rating was for light commercial van on these tyres ?

Nope...the rating is the same as Agilis Camper....so the manager at Quick fit advised...

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[DL42846]

But would the OP be travelling via the Rhone Alps or via the western route in France or even Portsmouth to Santander/Bilbao.
We get quite hard winters here in the Limousin also.

Even travelling from Portsmouth to Santader I have driven through a blizzard behind the snow plough driving down through Madrid during the winter months in Spain. Which is one of the reasons I went for all season tyres.

 

[funflair]

Using Fourseasons or winter tyres all year you loose out a little bit on the handling during the warmer months due to the design of the tread and the rubber compound BUT we are driving a lounge kitchen and toilet around not a racing car so really it's not an issue, the up side is that you are prepared for whatever road conditions you meet on your travels.

Martin

 

[DL42846]

I have found over the years just how important tires are on a vehicle. They can change the whole feeling and handling of a vehicle either making it a pleasure to drive or an absolute dangerous nightmare. Running at the correct tire pressures are also important.
When I bought my second hand car a few years back it was fitted with cheep made in China winter tires which were worst than useless. They were acceptable in dry conditions but horrendous in damp or in the wet. They were so bad I changed them even though they still had loads of tread on them. They were almost still new. The car would break into a slide without warning when cornering or loose grip when accelerating and the car is not a particularly powerful one. The Good Year all seasons worked very well but the braking distance wasn't so good. The Michelin Cross over's have a better braking distance but loose grip on a wet muddy road surfaces. The first time I actually stopped and got out to check the tires as I thought something must be wrong.
Two things I don't economies on when I need to purchase them, that is batteries and tyres. Generally I have found you get what you pay for. When I take out the family in the Motor Home I don't want to take unnecessary risk for the sake of a couple of hundred pounds. And I don't want to spend my holiday on the side of the road with a puncture.
Time spent doing a bit of research will give you piece of mind for the next 6 to 7 years when its time to change them again.
I used to run a Land Rover Defender and do trips over all types of terrain, sand, snow and tarmac. Tire choice was very important. I once slide off the road in the snow and ended up in the ditch. I was running on M&S tires. It was most embarrassing to be towed out by the Postman in his Renault Kango which had proper winter tires.
If your using your motor home in the UK mainly summer use, then Continental Campers or Michelin Agiles Camper are excellent tires. If you plan or using the MH in wintry conditions then a winter or four seasons tire would be well worth considering. They might be a bit more expensive but you only have to be saved from getting stuck once and pay to be towed out to justify the extra cost.
Plus I have found having the extra grip with winter or all season tires also helps when you end up on wet grass.
Make you holiday an enjoyable one, take the correct precautions.

 

[BILL 875]

Also when fitting 2 new tyres only the new ones should go on to the rear and the used ones to the front.

 

[gus-lopez]

They were acceptable in dry conditions but horrendous in damp or in the wet.

Bit like Bridgestones when they were first available on Jap bikes in the 70's.

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[bobandjanie]

Bit like Bridgestones when they were first available on Jap bikes in the 70's.

It felt like they were made of plastic when wet. . Bob.

 

[pappajohn]

My MOT tester said "you're tyres are in good order BUT they are 10y old: I suggest you change them".
He passed the vehicle.

Tyre age is not an MOT testable item.
Condition is.

 

[pappajohn]

Would you need winter tyres going south from the UK..

The Massif Centrale in the middle of France (A75 etc) can be closed for hours (or days in severe weather) due to snow.... Then there's the pyrenees mountains into Spain.

 

[mogbl]

I have a set of 6 winter tyres and wheels the size you want. Due to ankle opp I no longer ski. All good but I am in Mazarron, Spain. If you were going that way first you could get a bargain.

 

[Imbiber]

Just managed to source some of the new Michellin Agilis Cross Climate (225 x 75 x R16) £180 each fitted.

Will have to see how they compare to the Agilis Camping they're replacing, which to be honest I was a bit disappointed in regarding general wear.

Fitted early 2015 they have covered just over 22,000 miles and barely scarped through this years MOT.

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[tony dellar]

On the subject of tyres regarding long periods of parking , apart from taking short drives to get the wheels on a different flat spot , would keeping the tyres closer to their max pressure thus keeping the flat part to a minimum help with longevity ?

 

[SandraL]

On the subject of tyres regarding long periods of parking , apart from taking short drives to get the wheels on a different flat spot , would keeping the tyres closer to their max pressure thus keeping the flat part to a minimum help with longevity ?

Yes, michelin do recommend inflating tyres to max, usually 80 psi. when van is parked up.
As michelin always recommend rears are at 80 you only have to pump the front ones up............

 

[OldAgeTravellers]

I am in the process of looking for tyres, I am running on Conti Camping tyres and am very happy with them. But the added choice of the winter tyres causes confusion especially as Conti now classify the campers as summer tyres. Plus I have found that none of the large fitters have the 4season-2 available nor are they interested in getting them. Just one supplier would order them but at £200 each. I am only in the UK for one more week and my existing tyres are only half worn but 6 years old although the walls inside and out show no distress at all so I asked Conti and this is what I received back which may be of interest to some.

Tyre ageing is a chemical and physical process that occurs slowly over time. It can affect tyres very differently depending on tyre design, age, maintenance and application. This is because the tyre is a very complex piece of equipment and has many factors which affect its lifespan which I’m sure you can appreciate.

Continental would recommend any tyre that is more than ten years old to be removed from service due to this aging process. However, there is no UK law stating this and you can have any age tyre fitted to your vehicle/ trailer.

The main reasons for the Camping Industry recommendations are mainly due to the conditions which most vehicles/ trailers in the leisure industry are used. With often high loads, which are usually uneven, prolonged periods of static use (either on or off the vehicle) and the fact most tyres are left outside to face the elements, these factors combined can exacerbate the ageing process. This gives a clearer reason as to why tyres are recommended to be removed 5 years from the manufacturing date but this is only a recommendation. Of course, the coach builder or manufacturer may have already stated a tyre fitment guideline and if so we always advise following this. Also some insurance companies also have a recommended tyre fitment policy so it is always advised to confirm this with them directly.
​

As I have so little time I will have to unfortunately source them in France now.
Has anybody out there switched from the Conti Campers to the Higher load rating 4Season-2's? I like the Campers because of the wall stiffness and am a bit wary of changing, my last van had Michelin Campers and I like the Conti ones better, I do run constantly at maximum weight on the rear; 2,400kg so the 118 or 121 rating would be good. My wheels are 225/75 R 16. on a Hymer Ducato Euro 5.
But it is a very confusing situation, to me at least.

 

[DL42846]

I am in the process of looking for tyres, I am running on Conti Camping tyres and am very happy with them. But the added choice of the winter tyres causes confusion especially as Conti now classify the campers as summer tyres. Plus I have found that none of the large fitters have the 4season-2 available nor are they interested in getting them. Just one supplier would order them but at £200 each. I am only in the UK for one more week and my existing tyres are only half worn but 6 years old although the walls inside and out show no distress at all so I asked Conti and this is what I received back which may be of interest to some.

Tyre ageing is a chemical and physical process that occurs slowly over time. It can affect tyres very differently depending on tyre design, age, maintenance and application. This is because the tyre is a very complex piece of equipment and has many factors which affect its lifespan which I’m sure you can appreciate.

Continental would recommend any tyre that is more than ten years old to be removed from service due to this aging process. However, there is no UK law stating this and you can have any age tyre fitted to your vehicle/ trailer.

The main reasons for the Camping Industry recommendations are mainly due to the conditions which most vehicles/ trailers in the leisure industry are used. With often high loads, which are usually uneven, prolonged periods of static use (either on or off the vehicle) and the fact most tyres are left outside to face the elements, these factors combined can exacerbate the ageing process. This gives a clearer reason as to why tyres are recommended to be removed 5 years from the manufacturing date but this is only a recommendation. Of course, the coach builder or manufacturer may have already stated a tyre fitment guideline and if so we always advise following this. Also some insurance companies also have a recommended tyre fitment policy so it is always advised to confirm this with them directly.
​

As I have so little time I will have to unfortunately source them in France now.
Has anybody out there switched from the Conti Campers to the Higher load rating 4Season-2's? I like the Campers because of the wall stiffness and am a bit wary of changing, my last van had Michelin Campers and I like the Conti ones better, I do run constantly at maximum weight on the rear; 2,400kg so the 118 or 121 rating would be good. My wheels are 225/75 R 16. on a Hymer Ducato Euro 5.
But it is a very confusing situation, to me at least.

I have switched to Vredestine comtrac 2's and I am very happy with them. Haven't tried them out in the snow yet but they are certainly much better on wet grass than both Michein Agiles campers and Conti campers. Not sure they have them in your size though.