13" light truck tyres

Ask your local Tyrepower Peter, they have a lot of experience with tyres. In fact try any tyre retailer.

Hi Peter
These tyres are available, they are used in the Mazda vans with the smaller 13 back wheels. You will not have alot of choice in tyres. May pay to see if the van would take 14 inch rims, much more selection
Regards Raywanderin' in retirement. victor 2010

Peter
Having done what you are doing about 20 years ago I would go with 14" rather than 13", very hard to get 13" tyres outback let alone decent ones. Lot's of holdens, falcons and valiants run 14" so tyres are plentiful.
I've always run 14" LT radials on my camper, 8 ply, just as tough as a 7.50 x 16 and readily available anywhere as most light commercials use them from the old 1 tonners through to hiaces, hilux utes etc.
They are very durable and will absorb a great deal of punishment as any trailer that is towed on dirt roads and tracks must do.
If you have to get the van raised to get the required clearance do so it will be worth it in the long run.

Peter you can usually raise the rubber block type suspension by inserting the required lift between the suspension assembly and where it is mounted to the chassis.
A word of warning, I know of a few people (father was one) who had this type of suspension on caravans, I won't mention the brands, but well known ones.
The manufacturer fitted a suspension that was very close to the GVM of the van, fill the water tank, fill the cupboards for a long trip and the van was heavier than the capacity of the suspension. what happens then is the inner steel tube that is connected to the axle goes right around pushing the wheels up into the mudguards, not pretty.

Peter,
Previous comments relate to availability of 13 inch LT tyres - they are available.
14 inch LT ( 8 ply or equiv) tyres in cross or radial ply are very common.

What rims/hubs are you running as the Holden HT pattern 14 inch will accept an old 13 inch holden rim (and the VB commodore 4 cyl rims) .

However, the stud pattern is different to that for the 14 inch HQ Holden and following rims. If your rims are Ford 13 inch they are probably a 4 stud ( unless of some other obscure and uncommon make).

It is a rule of thumb that most trailers and vans generally run a "Holden" stud hub pattern with either Holden or Ford Bearings - the Ford ones having a larger inner for increased load capacity.

Regards

Pete G

Hi Peter
We have just returned from our trip around oz, I had the same van as you aerolite made by viscount, it was fitted with 13inch Nandang l/t tyres which peformed great. Pleased to say we never had one bit of trouble with the tyres or van in 27000 kms,this van suffers from a bad reputation I dont know why ours was 18 years old got us around no worrys.
regards Wal