Caravan tyres
Submitted: Monday, May 06, 2024 at 14:32
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Member - Broodie H3
Hi all you tyre experts, Can any one tell me why I should not replace my all terrian tyres, with a highway tread light truck tyre which are cheaper, and probably do the job just as
well. all correspondence greatly received. the tyres are on a 23ft semi off road caravan.
Reply By: RMD - Monday, May 06, 2024 at 17:16
Monday, May 06, 2024 at 17:16
Broodie.
To me, the issue ISN'T to have the same wheel/tyre combination, that is secondary.
I don't think it is for sidewall protection much either. I regard a 23' van either dual axle or single axle has all terrain or even open tread is; for WHEN OFF ROAD and the conditions are slippery.
For instance, cornering on mountain roads, braking in loose stuff and ESPECIALLY if negotiating DOWNHILL on a clay surface as is found on offroad situations, I want as MUCH GRIP as possible so the 23' van isn't shunting the vehicle, ie, out of control, read no ability to brake, or trying to perform sideways overtaking of the tow vehicle and at least has some ability to grip, sometimes, so a degree of control CAN BE MAINTAINED. Smoother, road tyres will almost instantly be skating and severe loss of braking ability and loss of sideways control and render any stability system in modern vans to be useless. If only ON road then something which acts like SLICKS in the poor conditions may be OK, for some.
I see things differently to many! Think what the open tread can do if required to perform, and it may even self clean the tread mud to some degree when rotating. ON Road tyres won't.
I agree they are cheaper. All depends on usage and safety level you require.
I did have a Tvan for 10 years and it would be alarmingly sideways in slippery stuff but the open tread and design held it from more than 45Degrees sideways. Slicks won't!
AnswerID:
645827
Follow Up By: Member - William B - Tuesday, May 07, 2024 at 08:50
Tuesday, May 07, 2024 at 08:50
I had mud terrain type tyres on my caravan, when I went to replace them the tyre
shop recommend a LT tyre.
I was happy with the ply rating and on the road they performed
well, but as soon as we where on some slippery stuff the tread quickly filled up and the mud stayed there.
Next time I would definitely go with a AT or mud type tyre.
William
FollowupID:
926216
Follow Up By: RMD - Tuesday, May 07, 2024 at 10:06
Tuesday, May 07, 2024 at 10:06
William
Unfortunately you believed the "tyre recommendation expert". Many times those people HAVE NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD or used the tyres they fit to your vehicle in same situations.. Most are sellers of stuff. However, some do know their business
well and WILL ask what your situation is. Just because they suggest it, might be because there is better profit from the sale even though the tyres may also be cheaper. I had a local Goodyear dealer tell me I needed "the wheel alignment" and said what he would be doing, I said NO, he was wrong with his adjustments he intended to perform. He has been in the tyre game for at least 35 years. Time in industry doesn't mean correct knowledge of subject. He obviously knows more about tyres than I do.
If you had an accident attributed the the tyres he fitted, he would never know because you may not exist anymore, but the tyres had good tread on them.
FollowupID:
926219
Follow Up By: Member - LeighW - Tuesday, May 07, 2024 at 13:18
Tuesday, May 07, 2024 at 13:18
Have to agree though others won't, I see many saying you don't need off road tyres on vans as the wheels are not driven and they throw up rocks, they are only there for shows etc.
Having driven plenty of serious off road tracks in wet and dry conditions I find off road tyres give much better grip and bracking in muddy conditions etc.anbd clear the tread better. Different off road tyres can make a difference also, I have driven with another who had the same car and very similar van on a very greasy road, he had AT's on I had semi mud, his van was sliding all over the place while my with semi mud terrians on just sat behind the car.
Really though it is up to how you use the van, if your not going to wander off the black stuff or good gravel roads then fit suitable tyres for those condtions and save some money.
FollowupID:
926221
Reply By: Member - McLaren3030 - Tuesday, May 07, 2024 at 07:56
Tuesday, May 07, 2024 at 07:56
Hi Broddie H3,
Tyre choice come down to a few parameters.
Firstly, the type of roads you will be travelling on. If only highway with the occasional gravel, a highway tread pattern in a Light Truck construction would be a suitable choice. If, on the other hand you intend to do a lot of gravel roads and some sand then an AT in Light Truck construction would be a better choice. If you intend to take your van on some of the more extreme off road tracks (not sure why you would), then a more aggressive Mud Terrain in Light Truck construction would be more suitable. If travelling on any muddy, or sandy roads, tyres with good “side biter” tread blocks will help keep the van going where you want it to go.
Secondly, the weight of the load that the tyres will be supporting, and whether or not you will need to run them at lower pressures. Light Truck construction generally have more belts and stronger side walls. This allows you to run at lower pressures where the sidewall may bulge out making them more vulnerable to potential punctures from sticks and rocks etc. and also the main surface in contact with the road, the stronger side walls will also allow for a little more flexing.
There is no doubt that a Light Truck tyre is a stronger tyre, the tread pattern is really the other main consideration. The more open the tread pattern, the more traction you should have, we’ll that is the theory. Of course the offset to more traction is more noise and greater wear, particularly on hard surfaces such as bitumen. Personally, I do not see a need for me to use Mud Terrain tyres on my van.
There are a couple of manufacturers that produce a tread pattern that is in between an All Terrain and a Mud Terrain. Coopers, Mickey Thompson and Toyo come to mind.
Macca.
AnswerID:
645832
Follow Up By: RMD - Tuesday, May 07, 2024 at 09:56
Tuesday, May 07, 2024 at 09:56
I don't agree the stronger side walls allow for MORE FLEXING at all. Thicker sidewalls REDUCE FLEXING, which is why they ride harder. Running at the same lower pressure, a thicker side wall tyre will not look as flat, simply because the sidewalls are assisting in supporting the weight. Mercedes cars use RUNFLAT tyres and their sidewalls are THICK, in order to hold the rim off the road. No Prince Harry's/No Spares in those stupid vehicles.
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Follow Up By: Member - Broodie H3 - Monday, May 13, 2024 at 15:08
Monday, May 13, 2024 at 15:08
At the moment I run Nitto tyres on the cruiser and Wildpeak at on the van, the Nitto tyres have been on there for 40,oooklm and still look like new. the wild peak have been on the van for 7oooo klm and are coming to the end of there travelling time both types of tyre have performed exceptionally
well. the hand brake has determined that we dont do as many dirt roads[preferably none] anymore. after doing the
Oodnadatta track the
Birdsville track and the
Gibb river roads and outback N>S>W, and QLD roads and a lot of W.A I think I shall stick with What I have . thank you all for your comments
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