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Or more specifically, how much would you spend?
Just discovered our Bongo's aftermarket rims are running tyres nearly an inch less in diameter, and a lower load rating, than specified as OEM, which obviously ain't great.
New front tyres are needed for an MOT next month and one of the rears has a screw embedded in it (but isn't leaking air) so I'm taking the opportunity to replace all four and rectify the size issue.
The Bongo is a 20 year old full-conversion camper van that does less than 30 to the gallon, so I'm also thinking of getting some quick rolling tyres to help it on its way. Conveniently most tyres of that ilk also brake well in wet weather (not a small consideration with 20 year old brakes).
I'm also happy to spend cash on good tyres. However, I am yet to break the news to the better half that I'm contemplating spending the best part of £450 on some Good Year Efficient Grips (or similar). I am aware that there are other tyres out there that do a decent job for less money, but I really am liking the idea of eeking as much mileage out of a tank of fuel as possible. We're also planning a loooong roadtrip next summer - saving fuel and feeling safe while braking is obviously something I'm keen on doing.
So, do I bite the bullet, tap into the savings and spend £450 on four round pieces of rubber? Or should I be looking at spending less on what's essentially a 20 yr old van?
(and in case you want to hunt, the new tyre size is 225/50/17 with a load rating of at least 96)
I will be fitting continental vanco's to mine again after winter (not sure what winter tyres I will have yet) put budgets last time and regretted it. Wear rate on contis was great
I went for Hankook Vantra RA18 215/70 R15 S with a 109 load rating on my T4 last time. I do low miles but want the load rating as often have a very full van with bikes/kayaks etc.
Very happy with them so far and were I guess a 'mid' price which was £350 for 4.
Given the low miles I was less worried about miles per gallon but wanted something that worked well in wet and had good braking.
I would never go for very cheap on tyres not when you think they are the only thing keeping you on the road.
just my 2p
Second the hankooks choice, I used blackcircles.com dead easy and cheap £66 per tyre for a vw t4 van
Vanco or vanco 2 are good they where much quieter than the barums I used to have.
Michelin agilis are also a good all-rounders good wet braking and mpg on the ratings
Looking at winter tyres for my t5 at the moment. Was recommended a set of toyos from tyreleader.co.uk
Just had maxxis vanpro on the vito. £90 per corner. Aggressive tread but not actually winter tyres. Not at all noisy. Brake and grip well. Very impressed
+1000 Hankook Vantra RA18 'cos we got them after doing plenty of research
They get great reviews and in a recent (ADAC?) test scored higher than Pirelli and Michelin camper specific tyres.
Tyre bloke advised me to go up 1 load rating as if like ours it sits there all week doing nowt the stronger side walls will prevent perishing ( something to do with high silica content?)
He also said that UV is the biggest enemy for campervan/motorhome tyres. Not being in direct sunlight will prolong the tyre life.
They cost £420 for 4 (LWB Transit) but when you're on a wet motorway, they're worth every penny for peace of mind
How long a trip and how many miles a year? Wondering how important MPG will be in the grand scale of things (slowing down 5mph on the motorway will probably save you more).
If you use it to go on a lot of wet and muddy ground for camping I would even think about some budget/mid range M&S tyres (ie winter ones) or one of the combined use ones that are M&S rated. They are a lot better on muddy fields and you will normally get them in XL load rating. We've got a set of budget Champiro or something on the freelander, mpg is pretty much by the book and it does a lot better on soggy fields than road tyres.
If you ever go onto campsites I would forget choosing tyres on based on MPG, as above, just back off 5mph will make a bigger different.
If venturing onto grass I recommend Toyo H09 as a mud and snow tyre.
You say your current tyres are an inch less than the specified diameter, do you mean its running 15" tyres when it should be 16"? Obviously if it has 15" wheels it need to stick with 15" tyres even if OEM is 16".
Or do you mean the overall rolling diameter? You could increase the aspect ratio (which is a percentage of the width in mm) to try and match it. Undersized wheels will make it lower geared and therefore rev more when cruising at a set speed (and possibly use more fuel)
You say your current tyres are an inch less than the specified diameter, do you mean its running 15" tyres when it should be 16"? Obviously if it has 15" wheels it need to stick with 15" tyres even if OEM is 16".
Nope, you're correct with this:
Or do you mean the overall rolling diameter? You could increase the aspect ratio (which is a percentage of the width in mm) to try and match it. Undersized wheels will make it lower geared and therefore rev more when cruising at a set speed (and possibly use more fuel)
OEM the Bongo has front tyres with a diameter of 25.7" and rears with a diameter of 26" (which, let's face it, is sooooo last decade). The van came with 17" aftermarket alloys which makes things a little more difficult. However there is light - as you say an increase in the aspect ratio gets me to 25.9", which is as near as dammit. [i]However[/i] this doesn't doesn't hit the load spec (min 96), whereas switching to 225s will do both.
Unfortunately the 17" rims mean I am looking at car tyres and car tyre prices. Note taken about the Toyos though - good point. I should also add we already sit at 60 on motorways for that very reason. 🙂
How long a trip and how many miles a year? Wondering how important MPG will be in the grand scale of things (slowing down 5mph on the motorway will probably save you more).
Next year will be our first trip overseas for a few years (last one was to Croatia) and the first with the nipper. Otherwise the van gets used daily for the better half's short commute and occasionally by me to go to races. Truth be told though, we're on the Isle of Wight - there is only one dual carriageway!
If you use it to go on a lot of wet and muddy ground for camping I would even think about some budget/mid range M&S tyres (ie winter ones) or one of the combined use ones that are M&S rated. They are a lot better on muddy fields and you will normally get them in XL load rating. We've got a set of budget Champiro or something on the freelander, mpg is pretty much by the book and it does a lot better on soggy fields than road tyres.
As above - good point and not one I'd considered. I'll have a look at the options.