Can anyone please tell me how important it is to fit a motorhome with special "campervan" type tyres? I was completely unaware of the existence of such tyres until it was recently pointed out to me that my Hobby 750 was not fitted with them! My van has a tag axle and is now 7 years old and although the old tyres still had plenty of tread, the side walls were looking a bit suspect, so I recently had all 6 tyres replaced with tyres of the correct size, speed and pressure rating, but without the magic word "camper" on them. Have I made a dreadful mistake and if so, what are the likely consequences.
Rob2727
Can anyone please tell me how important it is to fit a motorhome with special "campervan" type tyres? I was completely unaware of the existence of such tyres until it was recently pointed out to me that my Hobby 750 was not fitted with them! My van has a tag axle and is now 7 years old and although the old tyres still had plenty of tread, the side walls were looking a bit suspect, so I recently had all 6 tyres replaced with tyres of the correct size, speed and pressure rating, but without the magic word "camper" on them. Have I made a dreadful mistake and if so, what are the likely consequences.
Hmmm - good question :?
Hi Rob, and welcome to MotorhomeFacts. I hope someone wiser than me will be along soon (probably in the morning now) to give you either crumbs of comfort, or bad news.
Gerald
Hi Rob, and welcome to MotorhomeFacts. I hope someone wiser than me will be along soon (probably in the morning now) to give you either crumbs of comfort, or bad news.
Gerald
Hi Rob
Many motorhomes are not fitted with them. The most commonly fitted tyres are light commercial which are fine for most applications. I would say that as your old tyres would appear to be those originally fitted and the tyre fitters would have replaced like for like then you have nothing to worry about.
JohnW
Many motorhomes are not fitted with them. The most commonly fitted tyres are light commercial which are fine for most applications. I would say that as your old tyres would appear to be those originally fitted and the tyre fitters would have replaced like for like then you have nothing to worry about.
JohnW
Tyres
Hello,
Rest Assured that you do not need "Camper" Tyres. However, I would have advised fitting Decent M+S Tyres to a FWD Tag Axle and if you tour a lot in winter, maybe winter tyres.
The old Michelin Camper tyres, whilst strong gave very poor grip. So these I would have steered you away from. The new Michelin camper tyres seem to have gone a step better with M+S branding.
What make and model of tyres have you had fitted?
Try searching this forum for trev and tyres!
Trev.
Hello,
Rest Assured that you do not need "Camper" Tyres. However, I would have advised fitting Decent M+S Tyres to a FWD Tag Axle and if you tour a lot in winter, maybe winter tyres.
The old Michelin Camper tyres, whilst strong gave very poor grip. So these I would have steered you away from. The new Michelin camper tyres seem to have gone a step better with M+S branding.
What make and model of tyres have you had fitted?
Try searching this forum for trev and tyres!
Trev.
Hi Rob and welcome to MHFs! 
I don't know the detail surrounding "camping" tyres. I'm just SOOO pleased that you had the sense to change those suspect tyres!
How many times do Motorhomers have blow-outs caused by their tyres which "still had plenty of tread... the side walls were looking a bit suspect". :x
You said that your van is 7 years old. Yes, but how old were those suspect tyres? It's possible that, after the chassis was manufactured, it stood awhile before being shipped to Hobby. It's possible that it stood for a while, perhaps several months, before being called upon for conversion. Then it might have been stored some more before being transported to a dealer where it might have been stored some more. So, how old were those tyres? MUCH older than what your registration plate might suggest!
Last August, I put a full set on my 6 year old AutoSleeper Pollensa, replacing the 7 or 8 year old originals, like for like. Nowhere on the new ones could I see the word "camping" so I presume it's of no real importance. I'm happy to be corrected by a higher authority. 8)
Tyres are only for about five years maximum, regardless of apparent condition, and NOT for life! :roll:
I don't know the detail surrounding "camping" tyres. I'm just SOOO pleased that you had the sense to change those suspect tyres!
How many times do Motorhomers have blow-outs caused by their tyres which "still had plenty of tread... the side walls were looking a bit suspect". :x
You said that your van is 7 years old. Yes, but how old were those suspect tyres? It's possible that, after the chassis was manufactured, it stood awhile before being shipped to Hobby. It's possible that it stood for a while, perhaps several months, before being called upon for conversion. Then it might have been stored some more before being transported to a dealer where it might have been stored some more. So, how old were those tyres? MUCH older than what your registration plate might suggest!
Last August, I put a full set on my 6 year old AutoSleeper Pollensa, replacing the 7 or 8 year old originals, like for like. Nowhere on the new ones could I see the word "camping" so I presume it's of no real importance. I'm happy to be corrected by a higher authority. 8)
Tyres are only for about five years maximum, regardless of apparent condition, and NOT for life! :roll:
CamperTyres
So long as you have had tyres fitted to the correct specification for the base vehicle you should have no problem. You certainly do not have to use camper tyres. These by the way should be marked CP which stands for 'Camping Pneu' the Euro standard for camping van tyres. As I understand it, the principle difference between CP tyres and normal van tyres is that CPs have stiffened side walls to withstand the pressure on them caused by motorhomes being left standing for long periods of time. As long as you move the MH fairly frequently, you can overcome this problem anyway.
When I had new tyres fitted in June, I considered CP tyres but found that Continental did not make them in the size required, so I guess not all MHs can have them fitted anyway.
What is more important (apart from correct size) is that you have tyres fitted with the correct load-carrying capacity. This is shown by the Load Index on the side-wall. It will be in the form of something like 112/110. This refers to the maximum load that each tyre can bear. The first number refers to the load for one tyre (1120 Kg) the second if they are fitted in pairs (that's twin wheel on one axle- NOT tag axle). So a single axle with a wheel at each end could in this case carry 1120 + 1120 = 2240 Kg. Please note, it just so happens that a load index of 112 carries weight of 1120 Kg. It is not just a case of adding a 0 to the load index; you must refer to a table.
And speaking of the table - someone posted a link here a few weeks ago pointing to an excellent guide to tyre selection and use. I am sure one of the moderators can find it again. If not, PM me and I'll e-mail you a pdf of it.
Hope this has helped rather than confused, but to return to the original point - YOU DON'T HAVE TO FIT CAMPER TYRES.
So long as you have had tyres fitted to the correct specification for the base vehicle you should have no problem. You certainly do not have to use camper tyres. These by the way should be marked CP which stands for 'Camping Pneu' the Euro standard for camping van tyres. As I understand it, the principle difference between CP tyres and normal van tyres is that CPs have stiffened side walls to withstand the pressure on them caused by motorhomes being left standing for long periods of time. As long as you move the MH fairly frequently, you can overcome this problem anyway.
When I had new tyres fitted in June, I considered CP tyres but found that Continental did not make them in the size required, so I guess not all MHs can have them fitted anyway.
What is more important (apart from correct size) is that you have tyres fitted with the correct load-carrying capacity. This is shown by the Load Index on the side-wall. It will be in the form of something like 112/110. This refers to the maximum load that each tyre can bear. The first number refers to the load for one tyre (1120 Kg) the second if they are fitted in pairs (that's twin wheel on one axle- NOT tag axle). So a single axle with a wheel at each end could in this case carry 1120 + 1120 = 2240 Kg. Please note, it just so happens that a load index of 112 carries weight of 1120 Kg. It is not just a case of adding a 0 to the load index; you must refer to a table.
And speaking of the table - someone posted a link here a few weeks ago pointing to an excellent guide to tyre selection and use. I am sure one of the moderators can find it again. If not, PM me and I'll e-mail you a pdf of it.
Hope this has helped rather than confused, but to return to the original point - YOU DON'T HAVE TO FIT CAMPER TYRES.
As Jean-Luc said, somebody (I think it was Peejay) posted a link to the "Motorhome Tyres and Your Safety" Brochure. It contains some good information regarding tyre markings and a full guide to tyre pressures.
I have managed to track down the website containing the link to download the pdf here:
http://www.tyresafe.org/tyre-safety/
JohnW
I have managed to track down the website containing the link to download the pdf here:
http://www.tyresafe.org/tyre-safety/
JohnW
changing motorhome/campervan tyres
Hi,
Like you, we changed our vehicle tyres after 7 years - and they still had plenty of tread left.
It is seemingly advised that you change them every 5 years whether you think they need it or not, motorhomes do not generally travel as much as cars and stand in the same position a lot. This weakens the walls which can lead to blowouts even though there is plenty of tread.
We were shocked to learn this, also, when you consider how long your vehicle may have been lying in a dealers before purchase, that is another so many months ageing to them.
Better spending a few hundred pounds than have an accident!
Jacobite
Hi,
Like you, we changed our vehicle tyres after 7 years - and they still had plenty of tread left.
It is seemingly advised that you change them every 5 years whether you think they need it or not, motorhomes do not generally travel as much as cars and stand in the same position a lot. This weakens the walls which can lead to blowouts even though there is plenty of tread.
We were shocked to learn this, also, when you consider how long your vehicle may have been lying in a dealers before purchase, that is another so many months ageing to them.
Better spending a few hundred pounds than have an accident!
Jacobite
Motorhome tyres
I have been told that my front tyres on the Fiat Ducato are Commercial tyres and maximum pressure is 69 lbs whilst on the rear, they are camping tyres at 80 lbs. I have been putting 5.5 bar into the front tyres unknowingly. Can I drive safely with reduced pressure in the front tyres? or should I change the rear tyres to commercial as well.
I have been told that my front tyres on the Fiat Ducato are Commercial tyres and maximum pressure is 69 lbs whilst on the rear, they are camping tyres at 80 lbs. I have been putting 5.5 bar into the front tyres unknowingly. Can I drive safely with reduced pressure in the front tyres? or should I change the rear tyres to commercial as well.
5.5 bar could be way too high, particularly for the front axle. The only way to be sure is to take your vehicle to a weighbridge in its normal travelling trim and see what your axle weights are. Then either using the booklet referred to earlier or by contacting the tyre manufacturer you will find the correct pressures.
JohnW
JohnW
Strangely enough, Swift state 79psi (5.4 bar) for all three axles on our Kontiki tag with 225/75-16 CP tyres. Not that we take any notice of this pressure and choose to run at 70 psi on all six tyres.
Re: Motorhome tyres
Well firstly I would check your tyres, its not a good idea to have mixed tyre types, that is to say comercials on one axle and campers on the other. There`s nothing wrong at all with employing standard commercial tyres over camper tyres, providing that the tyre is rated for the MGVL load. Most, indeed if not all commercial vehicles use this type of tyre for everyday use under varying weights and conditions with no problems. And you will save yourself quite a few pounds in selecting a commercial tyre over a camper type. The camper tyre is supposed to have a reinforced wall so as help for long periods with out revolvement (standing in the same position for long periods) Tyre pressures for the camping tyre can be as much as 75-80psi but this would give quite a hard ride, comercials will be a max of around 65psi. Of course you can vary these pressures to your own preference and handling feel but the only accurate way of knowing is to put your m/h on a weighbridge loaded for a normal journey and then contacting the tyre manufacture for their recommendations :wink:Beni2003 said:
In December 2013 I had 6 Avon Avanza tyres fitted to my tag axle Frankia. The tyres were all manufactured during the 2nd quarter of 2013. I have just been told that all 6 tyres have excessive cracking to the side walls and must be replaced.
I contacted Avon who replied very quickly and politely but pointed out that the Avanza range are made for commercial vehicles and are not for motorhomes of any description. They did say they were aware of some motorhomes using them without any problems.
The only course of action available to me "is to return all 6 tyres to your tyre supplier who will forward them to Avon for inspection. If there are any manufacturing faults detected a refund may be appropriate".
I know that Avon are following a perfectly reasonable line but in my case it is not at all convenient to go back to where the tyres where originally fitted. The practicalities of sending 6 large tyres by courier or whatever in the faint hope of some recompense does not seem worthwhile, especially as I have already been told they are not suitable for motorhomes.
Conclusion: stick with motorhome specific tyres if you want a reasonable chance of some redress if you encounter problems.
I contacted Avon who replied very quickly and politely but pointed out that the Avanza range are made for commercial vehicles and are not for motorhomes of any description. They did say they were aware of some motorhomes using them without any problems.
The only course of action available to me "is to return all 6 tyres to your tyre supplier who will forward them to Avon for inspection. If there are any manufacturing faults detected a refund may be appropriate".
I know that Avon are following a perfectly reasonable line but in my case it is not at all convenient to go back to where the tyres where originally fitted. The practicalities of sending 6 large tyres by courier or whatever in the faint hope of some recompense does not seem worthwhile, especially as I have already been told they are not suitable for motorhomes.
Conclusion: stick with motorhome specific tyres if you want a reasonable chance of some redress if you encounter problems.
If the tyres have the correct load rating for the vehicle they should have been fine.
Sounds like a poor tyre, I have always fitted commercial vehicle tyres as do most other people with no issues.
Good way of Avon getting out of it.
Paul.
Sounds like a poor tyre, I have always fitted commercial vehicle tyres as do most other people with no issues.
Good way of Avon getting out of it.
Paul.
So, in the meantime, you have to buy 6 more tyres whilst Avon have the "faulty" ones?alphadee said:
Haven't read all the posts but I always use Michelin Agilis Campers and change them about every 5 years. (last set 6 years)
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