Not Tyres Again!

[Rubberman]

Hi, I am a newbie here so please be gentle.

I have read a number of threads here regarding van vs camper tyres. I have Michelin CP tyres and they make the ride harsh IMO.

My question is…..has anyone experienced van tyres actually deforming when left standing for a couple of months as my van does over winter? I know CP tyres are designed to counteract this but is it a real issue?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Norman Jones]

Continental Vanco all seasons for us. 4.2 tons. Leaving a van standing for ages does it no good.

 

[Gillygrim]

I can tell you from bitter experience that a) leaving a van standing for even a short while (6mths...) does the tyres no good and b) having tyres older than 5yrs can be catastrophic ! Long story so won't bore you with it, except to say exploding tyres on a French mway where the tread stripped off and wrapped round the suspension leg was not an enjoyable experience. Tyres in question were 6 1/2 yrs old. Result was that as soon as we got home I refused to drive the van again and part exed for a different one. Covid hit a month later and it's just cost me nearly £4,000 to undo the damage done by having her sit on the drive till now.

 

[Blackadder]

Thanks Trevor. Are you using Michelin CP tyres because Michelin don’t seem to recommend lower pressures based on axle weights like Continental do. I will try lower pressures but many say it makes little difference on the Michelins.

Not strictly true. I e-mailed Michelin Customer Service giving our front and rear axle weights and got a reply next day. They re-affirmed their position on using 80psi due to continuous running with heavy loads but stated that 65psi would be OK for the front if a more comfortable ride was preferred. One thing that rarely seems to get mentioned in these interminable tyre threads is swervability. Lower pressures might be more comfortable and not give any observable problem - until you have to swerve, the tyre wall deforms and the van falls over. Not good. Got this from a tyre engineer so I assume it's kosher.

 

[Lenny HB]

Agree. Toyo much cheaper then exorbitant price of Michelin. Toyo give a good ride and when they need to be changed it will not break the bank. The only snag about them is that they are a bit harder.

Where do you get that from, they are far softer than Michelins.

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[Lenny HB]

leaving a van standing for even a short while (6mths...)

That is an extremely long time to leave van standing, you should never leave a van standing for more than a few weeks.

 

[Gillygrim]

That is an extremely long time to leave van standing, you should never leave a van standing for more than a few weeks.

Circumstances made it impossible to do otherwise, unfortunately. Covid, Lockdown and elderly mother (passed away last year at 104) all conspired to keep the moho from being used. We have every intention of making full use of it now, starting with a trip to France on Tuesday.

 

[Lenny HB]

If I'm not using for a few weeks I take for a drive.

 

[Fishie]

I was looking to try the Maxxis Campro that I’d read about on here. But couldn’t find a local stockist, and my usual guy who could get them in, said the Continental Vancos were cheaper through him. As I’d done 39000 in 7 years and they were about ready to change, I’ve stuck with them. Ride and grip are perfect, and I run 5 bar front 5.5 rear on a 3.5 low profile Chausson 7mt van.

 

[SpeedyDux]

A couple of times I have felt like the tyres had become like thruppeny bits after standing for a while. They smoothed out after a few miles. This was on Conti Vancos and then Avon van tyres.

The michelin campers simply feel made of solid rubber.