I recently bought my first van (nov 15) after n uneventfull trip from Lake Macquarie to Coffs Harbour I decided to have a closer look at my tyres. I found that on my single axle van I had two different brands of tyre with different load ratings and my spare was different again.
My question to all is how many others have found this.????????????
I then turned to Mr Google for advise, only to find that the recommended tyres for my van were, 235/75 15, rated at 1030kg loaded, in my opinion under rated for a 2000kg GMT
After numerous phone calls to more than 10 tyre suppliers. No one had a tyre suitable. I changed to 265/70 15 LT 8 ply, rated at 1150kg and feel a lot safer on the road. It dropped my van by 20mm, which is nothing to worry about.
The other option was to move to 16" rims and tyres.
Why...do they do this!!!!!...surely its not safe.
I bought a van and the two tyres on the van are the same , but the spare even though a 15 is not overall width the same. I mentioned this when I bought the van and the Company came back at me...its a spare....only a standby tyre.
I will be checking with motor registration for clarification...
Our van purchased privately had 2 different tyre brands on the single axle van and 1 on the rack the same. Previous owner had mishape away from a major centre blowing one, tyre dealer obtained him a similar tyre by another manufactor. Specifications the same from a short distants away you could not spot the difference.
Last year I needed 2 tyres yet again I sourced same specs but again a different manufacturer.
All the tyres have had more then needed load carrying capacity with a very good speed rating of which I will never reach on the road.
Our van is a single axle weighing in gross 1960kgs (weighbridged) 190kgs on the tow ball 1770kgs at the axle.
Load carrying specs of tyres 1120kgs each.
Tyre size 225/70x15 with a commercial rating.
And to boot after 20000ks very happy my choice.
Paid just under $200 each. Could of brought cheaper but the specs were a real trade off.
-- Edited by Radar on Wednesday 27th of April 2016 04:35:27 PM
so beside Bettiboo and myself it would appere that everyone else has the correct tyres on their van???????????
Hello new2caravaning
Not necessarily, to many people without tyre knowledge, one tyre may look the same as any other, and they would have no reason to check them, except to see if they are going flat.
If I had purchased a new caravan, then I would indeed expect that all tyres were the same, and suitable for their application
If I had purchased a second hand caravan, I would be aware that the previous owner had put on what was available, or affordable
You will find, while travelling, that not all smaller towns/roadhouses carry enough tyre stock to fit all vehicles
In the event of a tyre failure, you may be faced with the decision of waiting for your type of tyre to arrive from a larger town, or accepting a tyre close enough, but not really good enough for what is required. This odd tyre which is the spare, could become out of sight and out of mind, unless the traveller had tyre knowledge, and changed it at the next large town.
Interesting subject.......
The tyres on the Van are 225 and the spare is 195. The Company that sold me the Van, said many new cars have small spares...to be used as spares only...they are trying to tell me that caravans are the same. I may be female but I am not stupid. I dont want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with a toy tyre on my Van.
Interesting subject....... The tyres on the Van are 225 and the spare is 195. The Company that sold me the Van, said many new cars have small spares...to be used as spares only...they are trying to tell me that caravans are the same. I may be female but I am not stupid. I dont want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with a toy tyre on my Van.
Also quote Why...do they do this!!!!!...surely its not safe. I bought a van and the two tyres on the van are the same , but the spare even though a 15 is not overall width the same. I mentioned this when I bought the van and the Company came back at me...its a spare....only a standby tyre. I will be checking with motor registration for clarification... Unquote
Hello bettiboo
I agree with you, about not wanting a smaller spare wheel, while travelling our vast country.
This is the first time I have heard that a caravan only has what is called a Temporary Use Spare Tyre (TUST) or space saver wheel, as the spare wheel.
I am led to believe, (so I could be wrong), that a motor car TUST wheel is only suitable for speeds of up to 80 kph, should have the original tyre repaired/renewed and replaced ASAP, and after 450 kilometres, some TUST tyres have become un-roadworthy.
I will stick my neck out here, and say that the salesman who said that it is normal for a caravan to have a space saver wheel, as the spare wheel, is perhaps being economical with the truth.
I would suggest that you obtain the same size tyre as you are running, (providing they are suitable for the weight of your caravan), as your spare.
It would be interesting to see, what the motor registration people say, about space saver spare wheels on caravans, when you check with them for clarification
This Company...just dont want to replace my tyre....There are other problems also. Consumer Affairs have given them 7 days to rectify these things. I dont want to be unreasonable...but I expect a roadworthy Caravan when I part with $35000. This Company thought they were dealing with a meek and mild female...guess what??? they were wrong. When I check with Registration Branch I will let all know the outcome.
This Company...just dont want to replace my tyre....There are other problems also. Consumer Affairs have given them 7 days to rectify these things. I dont want to be unreasonable...but I expect a roadworthy Caravan when I part with $35000. This Company thought they were dealing with a meek and mild female...guess what??? they were wrong. When I check with Registration Branch I will let all know the outcome.
so beside Bettiboo and myself it would appere that everyone else has the correct tyres on their van???????????
Hello new2caravaning
Not necessarily, to many people without tyre knowledge, one tyre may look the same as any other, and they would have no reason to check them, except to see if they are going flat.
If I had purchased a new caravan, then I would indeed expect that all tyres were the same, and suitable for their application
If I had purchased a second hand caravan, I would be aware that the previous owner had put on what was available, or affordable
You will find, while travelling, that not all smaller towns/roadhouses carry enough tyre stock to fit all vehicles
In the event of a tyre failure, you may be faced with the decision of waiting for your type of tyre to arrive from a larger town, or accepting a tyre close enough, but not really good enough for what is required. This odd tyre which is the spare, could become out of sight and out of mind, unless the traveller had tyre knowledge, and changed it at the next large town.
Hi all
Thanks for taking the time to reply. The main reason for posting this topic is to hopefully make people more aware of the dangers associated with poor tyres on a van. The other issue around tyres is the age of them. Some eggsperts say a tyres life on a van is 5 to 6 years due to the way they wear and sit still for long periods and UV damage. I have read a lot about these issue which helped me make my decision about what I feel safer useing, Lets not leave out the spare. You go gett'em Bettiboo I will stick my neck out and say the caravan seller is wrong. You have a tyre on the van rated to carry 1120kg, then the spare should be rated equally and the same brand and tread pattern.
There is absolutely no problems with different tyres on the one axle provided they are physically the same size and construction. They also should have a load rating suitable for the van. I frequently have tyres from different manufacturers on my van, I have never been knocked back during registration checks for this.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
We all have different opinions on this and all I am pointing out to all is we need to be more mindfull of our tyres and their condition in relation to our van, a mate of mine told me recently he had a lot of trouble with the original tyres on his van until he upgraded his tyres. Insurance is another consideration these days when Insurers are always looking for reasons not to pay for a claim.
Obviously the tires must have a sufficient load rating for the weight that they carry. Whether they are the same size or type is not critical after that. As far as the spare goes the same applies really. If it is lower rated then it should not be there. Generally the requirements for vehicles is the same design type of tire should be fitted on each side of the axle. Not the same brand though. So the spare should be the same design type as the ones on the wheels.
Another thing I was surprised to see, is the 'mag' wheels which seem to be the only thing available now for vans, are not suitable for car use. What does that mean. They are substandard imported crap that is only just suitable for low stress applications ? The caravan industry seems to rely on stuff which is only marginally fit for purpose. I would double check every thing before I pay out any money.
jaahn
I agree with you re manufacturers not being concerned with safety as is the case with some dealers too. My van is only 6 years old and the tyres that were on it were older and under rated for the weight of the van. This was the main reason for my original post. Further I was concerned about the number of vans on the road with similar problems. Bettiboo has a classic problem with her spare.
It has been a good exercise for me at least to go through this exercise.
Thanks to all who have contributed to the discussion.
michael
Jaahn wrote:1.. Obviously the tires must have a sufficient load rating for the weight that they carry. Whether they are the same size or type is not critical after that. As far as the spare goes the same applies really. If it is lower rated then it should not be there.
2.. Another thing I was surprised to see, is the 'mag' wheels which seem to be the only thing available now for vans, are not suitable for car use. What does that mean. They are substandard imported crap that is only just suitable for low stress applications ?
1.. "Whether they are the same size or type is not critical after that." You are wrong there. It is critical to have the same size and construction for all tyres in the axle group. If you don't you will fail any inspection. If it is the police who are doing the inspection you are likely to get pinged for it.
2.. "not suitable for car use. What does that mean." This certainly does not mean second grade rims. Many cars and utes have wheels with an machined centre in them. This fits snugly over a machined ring on the side of the brake drum or hub.You will note that when the wheel is in place that arrangement holds the wheels such that the studs are located in the middle of the holes. If you have trailer wheels with the same stud patten as the tug then these wheels will not mate properly with the locating ring of the hubs on the tug. That makes them "not suitable for car use" on your tug. Nothing more or nothing less, that does not make them second grade wheels for use on your van. They should only be used be used to get yourself out of a pickle with no other tyre to get you into a place where you can restore all your tyres.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
I agree with you re manufacturers not being concerned with safety as is the case with some dealers too. My van is only 6 years old and the tyres that were on it were older and under rated for the weight of the van. This was the main reason for my original post. michael
Michael, this is the first indication that you did not purchase an new van. Many of the replies seem to be assuming you had a new van.
Why did you not declare you had a second hand van? What are you up to?
"I agree with you re manufacturers not being concerned with safety" I strongly disagree with you. The manufacturers are concerned with safety even if it is only so that their products are likely to get rejected. You seem to be blaming the manufacturer where it would most likely be the previous owner who caused the problem. Did you purchase the van from the owner or a caravan reseller? If it was the latter then they should shoulder some of the blame. The ultimate blame for towing a defective van lies with the driver in all cases.
If you cotinue to post messages like that again I suggest there are many other members who are likely to jump on you.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
thanks peter for pointing out my mistake re old or new. The compliance plate on the van was fitted by the manufacturer and it stated an under rated tyre should be used. (275/75 R15) now this is where it is wrong. The plate also put the ATM at 1800kg and GMT at 2000. I had the van weighed empty including 2x9kg gas bottlles on the draw bar and no water in the 2x 90LTR water tanks. She came in at 1950kg. Not much leeway for clothes,food,water,annex, etc, not to mention water or a spare battery. trying to find a tyre as recommended by the manufacturer was almost impossible. Hence my post. The highest rated tyre in the range recommended was 5ply RT 1050kg . NOT GOOD ENOUGH for a van that will be over the GMT after just a few things are put in the van as above.
Bettieboo has this tyre delema with her new van. Sorry but it makes no difference as to whether it is new or second/third hand. The manufacturers are negligent in their duty of care as are dealers who use inferior tyres just to make it look good at a glance by an unsuspecting buyer.
My sole purpose is to highlight the issue of the correct tyres on our vans for the safety of all road users.
michael
Went to Reg checking station yesterday, for their thoughts on tyres for caravans. As long as the rating is right for the weight of the Van, the overall size of the tyre is the same all is good. He suggested to me not to believe the weight on the caravan plate...have it checked, packed on a weigh bridge.
Its been 3 days and the Company that sold me the Van has not replied to my email....they have 4 days to go before I get back to Consumer Affairs
The reason I am obsessed with tyres is, the trip back from Cairns 2 years ago, I was on my own, 20 k out of Dubbo and had a blowout ....frightened the life out of me. I am not young enough or strong enough to change a tyre myself. A young roadworker stopped and changed my tyre for me, and followed me into Dubbo to a tyre centre.
The young man wouldnt accept money from me, so I rang his Boss to let him know what a great bloke he had on his staff. From that day onward, I have spent a lot of time checking my tyres each time I stop.
Sorry to hear of adventury, now a blow out can and will happen with new or old tyres, that said from many years of driving transport semi trailers (43years) when a tyre starts to loose air pressure carrying the weight we are on our vans a tyre heats up very quickly at first slowly and then rapidly next thing a blow out. Even for a fit oldr guy it can be a handfull.
The other thing to remember the enermie takes no prisoners, yes a blow out, puncture will happen where you can no get off the road, mud, farmers friends and no shade.
Betty it could be a good idea to go to a tyre dealer and ask would one of the more mature gentleman to show you the best ways of jacking and changing tyres. I am at present trying very patiently showing my very clever wife how to do more around the van in case, very hard to stand back and let her be more involved.
Some good replys here and my thoughts are That I like two tyres of the same breed on a caravan. Of course in an emergency who cares.
The reason I say this is, that invariably there is a difference in carcasses of any two tyres and so even things like air pressure might have to be watched closely. These things can also make a given tyre appear flatter or smaller than its mate. I prefer to have the manufacturing dates not to far apart as well.
I guess that the more consistency in the make, the time of manufacture etc the less worries I would have.
I reckon in the end the weight and intended speed will sort out anyones tyres and if in doubt I always go a bit higher in pressure.
But most answers will fit into some ones usage parameters, so just keep a close eye on them and stick a finger into the drums and a hand on the tyres at every stop. Any way that's what I do and I am just an average traveler.
So after all that I can honestly say that most blokes here can remember their first FE Holden with 5 different tyres and all was well after around 15 years of driving the thing. Probably more to do with weight of the car though.....
-- Edited by dieseltojo on Saturday 30th of April 2016 08:12:09 PM
YEP
