Tyres and ride quality/pliancy

Crazyj

Crazyj

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Apologies - I’m sure there are hundreds of threads relating to this…

I have a Ducato 540 based PVC and its ride quality in abysmal. Before I look into air or semi-air suspension I thought maybe changing the tyres might be a quicker/ more cost efficient way forward, initially.

Michelin Agilis 225/R16 camper tyres are currently on the van and I know that people often ditch these in favour of other tyres. Has anyone on here done that, and to which tyres, with what sorts of results?

Thanks in advance

Jason
 
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poppycamper said:
Confused!! So can I please enquire why you feel the need to ask why the need to keep this thread on track if you got nothing to add.
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Crazyj said:
I started this thread to get advice, so at the moment, and until I have changed my tyres
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And advice you got... This topic has been done a hundred times and you would have got the same advice if you had done a simple search. Instead you started a new thread and then complain when it goes "off track"
Coked up chimpanzee now blootered and gone to bed.
 
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Crazyj said:
Apologies - I’m sure there are hundreds of threads relating to this…

I have a Ducato 540 based PVC and its ride quality in abysmal. Before I look into air or semi-air suspension I thought maybe changing the tyres might be a quicker/ more cost efficient way forward, initially.

Michelin Agilis 225/R16 camper tyres are currently on the van and I know that people often ditch these in favour of other tyres. Has anyone on here done that, and to which tyres, with what sorts of results?

Thanks in advance

Jason
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You could try a basic 225 75 r16c tyre?

£260 /4 on eBay so £300 fitted?

Your van isn't so heavy that you need to run 121...

116 would be fine even 111 on the front.
 
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poppycamper said:
,

And advice you got... This topic has been done a hundred times and you would have got the same advice if you had done a simple search. Instead you started a new thread and then complain when it goes "off track"
Coked up chimpanzee now blootered and gone to bed.
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Yawn
 
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Having read this thread and the trashing of the Michelin Agilis Camper tyres I popped onto Black Circles and their feedback on this tyre from a large sample of MH owners is quite the opposite of the comment on here with very positive reviews and pretty much all giving 5* reviews which surprised me!

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dash300 said:
Having read this thread and the trashing of the Michelin Agilis Camper tyres I popped onto Black Circles and their feedback on this tyre from a large sample of MH owners is quite the opposite of the comment on here with very positive reviews and pretty much all giving 5* reviews which surprised me!
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Why would that surprise you, sellers normally only post the good reviews and the camping tyres are more expensive so more profitable for them.

If you want a rock hard ride and lousy grip fit camping tyres, the Continentals are nowhere near as bad as the Michelins but still not good compared to standard van tyres.
 
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Lenny HB said:
Why would that surprise you, sellers normally only post the good reviews and the camping tyres are more expensive so more profitable for them.

If you want a rock hard ride and lousy grip fit camping tyres, the Continentals are nowhere near as bad as the Michelins but still not good compared to standard van tyres.
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The point being I'm surprised there are any good reviews for them to post. I won't get a choice it's what Ducato fit.
 
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Crazyj said:
As mentioned earlier, I have tried inflating my tyres at all sorts of pressures between 3 and 5.5 bar to no avail. The consensus is that the stiff sidewalls on a camper tyre remain just that - stiff - regardless of pressure. As I use my van fairly frequently I do not need camper tyres so should hopefully be able to find tyres which will run at lower pressures AND give a more pliant ride. And of course, my axle weights will be checked so that the correct tyresafe pressures are used.
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My experience was that lower pressures improved the ride on my Continental Camping tyres, of course others may have a different experience but I can only report mine.
 
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Jamesh said:
Getty Ng back to tyres

In my understanding CP tyres and caravan equivalents are designed for infrequent users who use thier MH for a Easter, summer, autumn trip and lay it up in between..

However if it's your daily driver, FLT, regularly do longer tours,vuse it every weekend then CP tyres aren't needed???

The stiff side walls are nearer to run flats...

I bet they are rebranded 121 rated tyres?!

Cheers James
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I don't think so, we had a pair of 116 load rated Agilis camper tyres and then changed to 121 rated Continentals, the sidewalls on the Conti were much sturdier than the Michelin Agilis camper's.
 
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dash300 said:
Having read this thread and the trashing of the Michelin Agilis Camper tyres I popped onto Black Circles and their feedback on this tyre from a large sample of MH owners is quite the opposite of the comment on here with very positive reviews and pretty much all giving 5* reviews which surprised me!
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I wonder how many of those 5star reviewers do not venture out in winter when the roads are wet/snowy/icy or indeed only use site with hard standings and do not tippy toe onto the damp/wet/muddy green stuff.
As stated many times Agilis Camper tyres do not grip.

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poppycamper said:
I wonder how many of those 5star reviewers do not venture out in winter when the roads are wet/snowy/icy or indeed only use site with hard standings and do not tippy toe onto the damp/wet/muddy green stuff.
As stated many times Agilis Camper tyres do not grip.
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I'll find out in April!:wondering:
 
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Ivory55 said:
If people want to drive on wet muddy green stuff, why not buy a land rover ?
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Your point is well made. A 4 ton Front wheel drive van sat on wet soft grass overnight is going to struggle even if on General Grabber mud pluggers let alone any Winter rated soft road tyres!
 
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Spoke to a local supplier today of Toyo Observe van tyres. He told me that they are winter tyres (not all season tyres) and will degrade in the summer months, with the tread not lasting very long. Is this at all correct? I’m more inclined to take my chances given that some of you guys use and recommend them!

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poppycamper said:
As stated many times Agilis Camper tyres do not grip.
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They certainly don't, I had a problem with my traction control it was cutting in far to soon. Just driving on gravel slowly it would cut in and on sloping wet roads, trying to get out of Aires/car parks with a steep slope in the wet we would be praying we would make it out.
Paid a Fiat Professional loads of money to tell me there was nothing wrong with, "oh yes it does do that sir but we can't find anything wrong with it."

After changing the tyres to the Toyo there was a 75% improvement hardly ever a problem on wet roads.

And if anyone's interested I've sorted the problem, before that I had the ABS cutting in when you wouldn't expect it. Last service I got them to change the brake fluid, it's not put a food wrong since.
 
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Crazyj said:
Spoke to a local supplier today of Toyo Observe van tyres. He told me that they are winter tyres (not all season tyres) and will degrade in the summer months, with the tread not lasting very long. Is this at all correct? I’m more inclined to take my chances given that some of you guys use and recommend them!
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Modern winter tyres don't degrade like they used to, we have not had any problems running them all year. No noticeable difference in handling when it's hot, wear rate appears low more than happy with them.
 
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Crazyj said:
Thanks for all the replies so far….it would seem that changing to a non-camper tyre will improve things. It’s just a question of brand…..🤔
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I removed the Agilis on my tag axle and replaced with Nexen Roadian CT8 commercials... higher ply and load ratings... give a really good ride... driven back and forth to the Algarve twice with them now and delighted with their performance..
 
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clanjones said:
Well after months of cogitating and research (thanks to the Funsters who answer my PMs) bit the bullet and fitted Maxxis VanSmart All Season AL2 - 225/75 R16 C 121/120R TL, supplied and fitted by Border Tyres in Dunbar, who were excellent.

I went for these as Toyo’s seemed to be unavailable at a sensible price, thought of Yokohama but couldn’t find any reviews on them. The Vansmart came fourth in a promobile test so thought I would give them a go.

First impressions are that they are definitely quieter than the Michelin Agilis camper tyres they replace. I have to adjust the tyre pressures to suit the axle loadings but all in very pleased. Total cost for 5 tyres including fitting and new brass/steel values £567.00. You may be able to get it slightly cheaper but I wanted a one stop shop.

Once we have used them in anger for a bit I’ll post an update.

PS This is also worth looking at.

www.tyresafe.org

Motorhome Tyre Pressure Calculator | TyreSafe

Our motorhome tyre pressure calculator gives you the correct pressures for your motorhome. Check your tyres regularly for your safety.
www.tyresafe.org www.tyresafe.org
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Yes, I've got Maxxis on the front, grip is massively better. I've had them on snow & ice & they're much much better than the Mich Camper. I've only had them on during moderately hot weather & they are fine. Noise & ride definitely improved. Can't wait for the rear Campers to wear out!
 
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Mad dog said:
Yes, I've got Maxxis on the front, grip is massively better. I've had them on snow & ice & they're much much better than the Mich Camper. I've only had them on during moderately hot weather & they are fine. Noise & ride definitely improved. Can't wait for the rear Campers to wear out!
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Tyres with the best grIp should always be on the rear.
I didn't mess about when I changed just changed all 5.

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Mad dog that is good to hear. I know Maxxis are very well respected in bike and trials bike tyres. I also get the impression that they are upping their game in tyres generally if you believe any of the tyre comparison reports!

I managed to sell 2 of the Michelin campers which were only 15 months old and had 8mm of tread left, so that was a bonus as well!
 
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clanjones said:
Mad dog that is good to hear. I know Maxxis are very well respected in bike and trials bike tyres. I also get the impression that they are upping their game in tyres generally if you believe any of the tyre comparison reports!

I managed to sell 2 of the Michelin campers which were only 15 months old and had 8mm of tread left, so that was a bonus as well!
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That might be an idea to sell the rears, I've got a warranty claim to sort out on one of my rear alloys. Went down some very steep frosty/icing narrow mountain roads in Italy & they felt so much better. The Michelins were awful even on wet white lines.
 
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Lenny HB said:
Tyres with the best grIp should always be on the rear.
I didn't mess about when I changed just changed all 5.
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No one told me that when I went round a roundabout in a scimitar sideways 20years ago!!!🤔🤣🤔🤣🤔🤣
 
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If changing tyres to a different classification from those originally supplied i.e. camper to something else, is that a modification that insurers would need to know about?
 
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Kannon Fodda said:
If changing tyres to a different classification from those originally supplied i.e. camper to something else, is that a modification that insurers would need to know about?
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Only if you fitted ones that were lower load rating than the OEM ones fitted and recommended by the Van builder....but fitting a lower load rating would be pretty daft anyway..

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Thank you to everyone who helped with my concerns regarding tyres and ride comfort - as was pointed out to me, there are other similar topics I could have referred to - but it’s good to have up to date info.

So thank you 😊

I’ve changed the Michelin Agilis CP tyres for Continental Vanco Four Seasons 2 and following a visit to a weigh bridge and advice from Continental (very helpful indeed) they are inflated to 3 bar. The result is a much, much more comfortable and quiet ride.

I’m also biting the bullet and having VB rear semi-air fitted next month to help with the rolling in corners and to get the rear of the van off it’s bump stops….it will be interesting to see how that goes!
 
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just changed my 6 year old Michelin c tyres for Hankook Vantras and after my first time out last weekend I think they are a vast improvement, seem much better over poor road surfaces.
Will have to see how the grip and wear goes but will report back.
 
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