Caravan tyre choices?

Submitted: Thursday, Feb 12, 2009 at 21:56

ThreadID: 65926 Views:3366 Replies:2 FollowUps:0

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Member. Rob M (QLD)

We have just purchased a 12 / 2007 Paramount classic 22.5'
( external ) caravan, and are very happy with the purchase.

I am a little surprised by the tyres fitted, Pirelli Scorpion STR
P235 175 R15 108T M&S.
The van has a factory fitted 4" chassis lift and seems very capable of dirt road travelling. My questions are, is it usual to fit passenger tyres to a van of this weight and size and is the recommended presssure of 50psi reasonable, given that the tyres are not light truck. I know this is not the van for serious off road use, but I am sure the it is quite suitable for a lot of the major development roads aroud QLD.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Rob M

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Reply By: Member - Tony S (WA) - Friday, Feb 13, 2009 at 00:41

Friday, Feb 13, 2009 at 00:41

Hi Rob,

Have never run Pirelli's on a caravan however, I run 245 70 R16 ATRs on my vehicle and even though the mileage is not that good is is reasonable considering I two a two tonne van with a ball weight of 215kg. Even though they don't look rugged they perform well. Caravans seem to be the worst thing for wearing tyres out on vehicles. They have done about 45000 kays at present and should go roughly another 10000. Never had a puncture YET and that is after all terrain.

My van is a 16ft single axle and was originally shod with 31x10.5 R15 with a supposed load rating of 1020kg. I am not going to name the brand. Was told by the manufacturer after I had 3 blow-outs in roughly 15000km that they shouldn't be on caravans of that weight! Why do the manufacturers do it?
Changed to 16" rims and Kumho 245 75 R16 12 plys, same diameter and no more problems.

Any way back to your problem.
Assume you mean a tyre size of 235 75 R15.
I dont know your vans weight, however you have tandem axles and the Scorpion should have a load rating of roughly 900kg.
900 x 4 gives you 3600kg They should perform well as long as tyre pressures are adjusted to the terrain.
Pressures seem a bit high, check the max cold pressure on the side of the tyre and as a starter run about 5 below that then check the heat of the tyres. If they are just warm you are ok. Sorry, don't know the foreign conversion lbs to kpa.

Tony