MH TYRES

[GPW]

Always best to read reviews on the actual tyres before purchase.

Cheap tyres are not always bad if you know how they behave, Ditchfinders, Deathsliders, Hedgeseekers etc. all have their uses, but probably not on a motorhome in case your expectations exceed when they deliver.

I had a set of Toyo tyres the R series I think, super grippy and brilliant all round so for another car I bought some more Toyo tyres but by then they'd moved up to T series IIRC. These tyres were all over the place and never really bedded in so I merely adjusted my driving style accordingly with the odd hilarious fishtail here and there.

So don't just go by brand, see if you can find info and reviews of the actual tyre you are looking at.
And buy a tyre pressure warning system if it's not built in, not much more than the cost of a single tyre last time I looked.

 

[Dorwyn]

I have heard the classic "go with van tyres" argument many times - CP are specific for MO's that stand idle for a large part of their lives.
'Cheap' is rarely the best choice !!!

In my case, my pvc is in use all the time and all year round, it rarely stands for more than a week, and we rarely stay on site for as much as a week. My fronts are very close to needing renewal, at 24k. I am not keen on Michelin tyres, and have always had Continentals, but it was supplied new with CP.

It is surely not so much the fact that you have a camper so you must use CP, it also is the use to which it is put. I will be replacing with Conti C, which I think is more relevant to my usage. I do not expect you will agree.

 

[gus-lopez]

on my Vauxhall Movano [aka Renault Master] LWB.

How do you find the Movano as I have seen a couple ,along with other makes, for a self bild I've been thinking of doing. Any major probs?

Out of interest do manufacturers of MHs supply new vehicles with 'camper' tyres or 'van' tyres.

Never having bought a new MH I don't know -

- could others who have purchased new comment?

Slightly off topic but I always found that the tyres supplied with new cars never lasted long yet when I replaced them with the identical make/size ,etc; they last twice the time being driven exactly the same way. I always got the impression that the ones fitted originally were like the cartridges in a printer. Just enough to sell it too you.

Would you use a heart surgeon who was cheap but only ok at his job?

& how would you know?

 

[Barclaybasher]

Two of the most common types of problems with tires are tire blowouts and worn tires.

1. Tire Blowouts. Blowouts can happen for a number of reasons, such as a worn-out, under- or over-inflated tire suddenly bursting under pressure, tires being punctured by debris in the road, or even sudden, severe temperature changes. Tire blowouts drastically reduce your ability to control the vehicle all at once, causing crashes.
2. Worn Tires. Over time, tires will start to wear thin, losing their tread. This can be a major problem on the road, as it compromises tire grip—particularly in inclement weather (snow, rain, etc.). Worn tires are more likely to slip, take more distance to brake, and aren’t as responsive because of their weak grip on the road. All of which contribute to accidents.

Replacing tires before they completely lose their tread and maintaining optimal tire pressure are musts for preventing these mechanical failures on the road. Also, regularly check your tire alignment, since bad alignments wear tires out faster.

The above was taken from a US report in 2015

The same report said that the major contributor to vehicle accidents were the driver(s) involved............94% !!

Mechanical failure came in at 2% of which a third were wheel and tyre related

Is condition the real issue with tyres rather than the brand?.......

Even more important still.............the driver

 

[the knobs]

Need to replace fronts on our 2016 Scout 4250KG 29k miles so debating on original Michelin Camper 160 ish the contis at 140 ish or a falken at 120 ish. I have used all sorts of tyres on all sorts of vehicles some good some bad but never buy by make. Surely 116 or 118 load tyres will be suitable no matter what make. Just don't like buying by name alone. Anyone actually used the Falkens? Do a lot of French and Spanish roads but not Italy and usually not between Oct and May so probably no snow.

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[HandyAndy]

Camping tyres are crap

The Michelins are absolutely shit to be honest.

They are noisy and they wear fast and sidewalls crack.

I'd never fit them , commercial tyres with a heavier weight load index will always get my money.

/\ This.
Conti van contact 100's on mine. (116)

 

[DL42846]

Need to replace fronts on our 2016 Scout 4250KG 29k miles so debating on original Michelin Camper 160 ish the contis at 140 ish or a falken at 120 ish. I have used all sorts of tyres on all sorts of vehicles some good some bad but never buy by make. Surely 116 or 118 load tyres will be suitable no matter what make. Just don't like buying by name alone. Anyone actually used the Falkens? Do a lot of French and Spanish roads but not Italy and usually not between Oct and May so probably no snow.

+1 for not fitting budget tires on a motorhome. I have seen what damage a blow out can cause to a MH. I have run on Michelin camper's and Conti Campers. Not much between them. Both very good as summer tires and useless on anything other than tarmac. I am currently running on Vredetsein four-seasons which seem to be doing quiet well so far. Haven't used them in the snow yet , but the grip on wet grass is noticeably better.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

+1 for not fitting budget tires on a motorhome

Fully agree, but what is a ‘budget tyre’ Just because it’s a name not familiar with doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a budget tyre. We use Continental 4Season which I think are great and I tend to stick with brands I know. Personally, I wouldn’t ever consider Michelin Campers due to cracking side walls and Michelin’s insistence that they must always be pumped up like balloons.
Some tyres mentioned I’ve never heard of but it it doesn’t mean they are crap, budget may mean they are cheaper because they are competing with the big names.
In the grocery trade Aldi are good example of getting decent quality without big brand names.

 

[Casper46]

I’ve seen quite a few Hymer’s in showrooms brand new fitted with Continental Four Seasons.

Ditto Carthago’s.

 

[Northernraider]

The Bridgestone winter tyres I fitted in France 4000 miles ago seem to be wearing well. They look like new still

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[DL42846]

Fully agree, but what is a ‘budget tyre’ Just because it’s a name not familiar with doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a budget tyre. We use Continental 4Season which I think are great and I tend to stick with brands I know. Personally, I wouldn’t ever consider Michelin Campers due to cracking side walls and Michelin’s insistence that they must always be pumped up like balloons.
Some tyres mentioned I’ve never heard of but it it doesn’t mean they are crap, budget may mean they are cheaper because they are competing with the big names.
In the grocery trade Aldi are good example of getting decent quality without big brand names.

I don't know the complete answer to your question. Having the right tires on any vehicle especially a motor home is a high priority in my book. Below is a French site called Allopenus who I tend to use a lot for tires for all my vehicles. If you open the site and click on MARK a drop down box should appear which gives you a list of what they consider Premium brand , Quality brands and budget brand. I think it gives a fair indication of what is what. I agree with you about Aldi. I recently changed the tires on my car. I run with Four season type due to the weather conditions we have here. I have run with Michelin cross over and Goodyear Four seasons both of which I was very unhappy with especially the Michelin's. I am now running on Kleber four season's. They are brilliant, smoother, quieter and much better grip. I will be sticking with these.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

I am now running on Kleber four season's.

That, kind of, makes my point, I’d never heard of Kleber until you discussed them on here. Not a common name in the UK but I’ve seen lots of French motorhomes using them, obviously a popular choice.

 

[Northernraider]

That, kind of, makes my point, I’d never heard of Kleber until you discussed them on here. Not a common name in the UK but I seen lots of French motorhomes using them, obviously a popular choice.

They have been going a Long time I remember fitting kleber tyres on a vw back I the late 90's they're part of Michelin

 

[JockandRita]

Below is a French site called Allopenus who I tend to use a lot for tires for all my vehicles. If you open the site and click on MARK a drop down box should appear which gives you a list of what they consider Premium brand , Quality brands and budget brand. I think it gives a fair indication of what is what.

I did Mike. It's "Recherche Par Marque", then "Toutes" and on the translated page, it's "Brand" then "All".

The quality commercial tyres fitted to our 20 x year old Hymer over the years, (including factory fitted), are all listed in the top two categories.

I've enquired about getting winter tyres from my locally family run and trusted tyre fitting depot.
Apparently, there is nothing available for another six weeks at least.
Maybe I need to check online for availability, and have them delivered to be fitted.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[DL42846]

That, kind of, makes my point, I’d never heard of Kleber until you discussed them on here. Not a common name in the UK but I’ve seen lots of French motorhomes using them, obviously a popular choice.

I'm told they are something to do with Michelin.

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[Speve]

Bought our Hymer B678DL new last year came with Michelin’s Agilis CP also previous 2015 Exsis I had them. Never had any problems with them and coincidentally they are the quietest vans we have had.?

 

[JockandRita]

I've enquired about getting winter tyres from my locally family run and trusted tyre fitting depot.
Apparently, there is nothing available for another six weeks at least.
Maybe I need to check online for availability, and have them delivered to be fitted.

I've just order 2 x Falken EUROWINTER VAN01 215/75 R16C 113/111R from www.mytyres.co.uk, and as it turns out, my local favoured fitting depot (Apex Tyres) is one of their fitting agents anyway.

After much researching, I originally wanted the Nokian WR D4 for it's excellent "A" Rating in snow and wet weather conditions, but it wasn't available in 215/75 x 16 C, so the Falken was the next best choice with the same "A" rating.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[DL42846]

I've just order 2 x Falken EUROWINTER VAN01 215/75 R16C 113/111R from www.mytyres.co.uk, and as it turns out, my local favoured fitting depot (Apex Tyres) is one of their fitting agents anyway.

After much researching, I originally wanted the Nokian WR D4 for it's excellent "A" Rating in snow and wet weather conditions, but it wasn't available in 215/75 x 16 C, so the Falken was the next best choice with the same "A" rating.

Cheers,

Jock.

Have you looked at 4season tyres? I run them on my car's and MH. That way you don't have to keep switching them over with the seasons

 

[JockandRita]

Have you looked at 4season tyres? I run them on my car's and MH. That way you don't have to keep switching them over with the seasons

No, I didn't Mike, as I specifically wanted tyres with the 3PMSF markings, ensuring good grip, not only in snow and ice conditions, (here and travelling abroad over winter) but also on wet grass and mud. My previous Bridgestone Blizzaks were great for that.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[joka250]

Kleber are I believe a wholly owned subsidiary of Michelin. Many of the better known budget brands are owned by the major brands.

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[DL42846]

No, I didn't Mike, as I specifically wanted tyres with the 3PMSF markings, ensuring good grip, not only in snow and ice conditions, (here and travelling abroad over winter) but also on wet grass and mud. My previous Bridgestone Blizzaks were great for that.

The four season Vredestien tires I am running my MH on do have the 3PMSF rating on then. I live in France in the Rhone Alps and we do use the MH during the winter.

They are good in the wet and dry. I haven't used them in the snow as yet. But I have noticed on wet grass they do grip. The only other tires I have run on were the Conti campers which were good in the summer and in the wet, but at the first sight of anything other than tarmac they were hopeless. I have also run on Michelin Agilis which were supposed to be M&S which means nothing as they did not have the 3PMSF rating on them. and were no better than the Conti's
My brother in-law runs on winter tires all year round, but he hardly does much mileage. He runs on Michelin full winter tires. I would imagine the ride must be on the noisy side. My four
season are no more noisy that my previous tires.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[StephDeLux]

Didn't check the others but the Hymer ML-T does not come with CP tyres.

 

[JockandRita]

The four season Vredestien tires I am running my MH on do have the 3PMSF rating on them. I live in France in the Rhone Alps and we do use the MH during the winter.

I didn't know that Mike,

otherwise I would certainly have looked at those.

My brother in-law runs on winter tires all year round, but he hardly does much mileage. He runs on Michelin full winter tires. I would imagine the ride must be on the noisy side. My four
season are no more noisy that my previous tires.

As have I with the Bridgestone Blizzaks, and TBH, I didn't notice any difference between them and summer tyres.................until I wanted to get out of a wet grass/muddy situation, forced into by someone who didn't know the disadvantages of a FWD vehicle.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[AXO66]

Out of interest do manufacturers of MHs supply new vehicles with 'camper' tyres or 'van' tyres.

Never having bought a new MH I don't know -

- could others who have purchased new comment?

Came new with van tyres.

Goodyear marathons

On a Chausson from Highbridge.

Done 19k in three years.

Anyone know what is the actual difference in the construction between CPs and C category ?

 

[JockandRita]

I've not done a journey of any great length, but the 8 x miles back from the tyre fitting depot this morning, indicated a smoother ride on the two new Falken Eurowinter VAN01 tyres on the front axle. I purposely drove over cats eyes and rough edgings of the road surface, to give me an idea of the ride comfort. These replaced Continental Vanco Camper tyres, which I had fitted over 2 x years ago, instead of my usual winter tyres. They still have 4.5mm tread depth on them.

On dry roads in the summer, they were fine, but they didn't inspire confidence on wet painted surfaces (road markings and zebra crossings) and gave too harsh a ride for my liking, despite adjustment of tyre pressures. Even Rita who doesn't drive the MH, could sense the difference in grip and ride, between the previous Bridgestone Blizzaks, and the Conti Vanco CPs..................so back to winter tyres it is.

I asked for 4.0 bars pressure to be applied, and when I got home, I emailed Falken's technical department for clarification of front tyre pressures based on an plated axle weight of 2000Kgs, (although currently running at 1740Kgs).
A very swift reply assured me of a pressure of 4.2 bars per tyre, based on 2000Kgs.

Next time round, I may do a bit more research, and consider "All Season" tyres, providing they carry the all important 3PMSF markings, as mentioned above by Mikescuba.

Cheers,

Jock.

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[busby]

I have E&P jacks so parking relieves the weight on my tyres.
Having a blow out in France without camping tyres may prove a problem with The plod.

I have yet to see a brand new conversion that is not fitted with camping tyres whether Michelin or Continental.

If van is used regularly cannot see any advantage of Motorhome tyres over commercial ones.No doubt many will disagree.BUSBY.

 

[JockandRita]

No doubt many will disagree.BUSBY.

Certainly not me busby, so long as they are of the same spec, and not budget range.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[DL42846]

I contacted Michelin legal department regarding whether it was a legal requirement to have Camping car tires in France. I was told only in Italy they were required

 

[JockandRita]

I contacted Michelin legal department regarding whether it was a legal requirement to have Camping car tires in France. I was told only in Italy they were required

Camping tyres, or Winter tyres Mike?
I've never heard of Camping tyres to be a legal requirement before.

If so, that's twice I have broken Italian traffic regs, ie, my rear cycle marker board was plastic, rather than the required metal board.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[DL42846]

Camping tyres, or Winter tyres Mike?
I've never heard of Camping tyres to be a legal requirement before.

If so, that's twice I have broken Italian traffic regs, ie, my rear cycle marker board was plastic, rather than the required metal board.

Cheers,

Jock.

This was the reply I received from Michelin.

Dear Michael,



Just a quick clarification regarding your query short while ago regarding the CP marked tyres.



After looking into your case further regarding the CP marking regulations, we have the information that only in ITALY it is mandatory to have CP marked tyres on a Camping Van. In other parts of EU the regulation is based on load and weight indexes. However my OFFICIAL MICHELIN RECOMMENDATION needs to be the firstly mentioned MICHELIN AGILIS CAMPING, However as stated in the definition of CP tyres: "Caution: RF-/XL tyres and LT tyre are not C tyres, even if they resemble them with regard to size and load index. Therefore you should check the paperwork for your vehicle or ask the manufacturer which tyres you can use. In contrast, the abbreviation “CP” stands for “Camping”. This refers to C tyres which are optimised for the particular requirements of mobile homes, such as long standing times.”



The CP-marked camping tyres being stronger and more robust as a tyre, the most significant difference would be the ability of these tyres to maintain in the same position for longer periods (i.e. over the winter), where as a non-CP tyre would most likely experience some deformation do to being still for a long period.



So to conclude; Officially MICHELIN recommends your vehicle MICHELIN AGILIS CAMPING, but if you do verify the specific tyre requirements with your car manufacturer, or registration paperwork, and have your vehicle weighed and tyres to be inflated with according pressures, theoretically you might be able to safely mount the MICHELIN AGILIS CROSSCLIMATE, but you need to verify the specifics with your manufacturer and local authorities if necessary.



I wish to have satisfied your query, but please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information or advice.

For additional information please contact us by email: contact@tc.michelin.eu, on our website http://www.michelin.co.uk/, our contact form http://www.michelin.co.uk/contact or by phone to 0845 366 1590 or 0845 366 1535.

MICHELIN is happy to accompany you on every journey and would like to thank you for your confidence.



Kind regards,



Panu



MICHELIN Consumer Care

Passenger Car & Light Truck Tyres

Tel: 0845 366 1590; 0845 366 1535

E-mail: contact@tc.michelin.eu

Contact us: www.michelin.co.uk/contact

Web: www.michelin.co.uk

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