Motorhome Tyres for Year Round Use, including Winter Travel to Spain

[marchie]

I suspect this subject may have arisen before and that there may have been a variety of opinions, but here goes ...

The Van is in for MOT today and I suspect that there will be an advisory for the tyres, on age grounds [2016 Reg on original tyres]. Present tyres are Michelin Agilis with M&S markings, but they do give a quite harsh ride at the recommended 80psi. I'm thinking of changing to Continental 4 Seasons or similar, but I'm not sure if these will have the '3 Peaks' label. I'd rather avoid the faff of a set of Winter Tyres and a separate Summer set, not least because of storage problems.

We have a 5.99m Burstner Ixeo 590 [3500kg GVW] and the [almost empty] loads on the axles and individual wheels when we bought the Van were:

Front 1 660kg Front 2 625kg = Front Axle 1285kg Max Load 1850kg
Rear 3 769kg Rear 4 772kg = Rear Axle 1541kg Max Load 2000kg

Most kit has been weighed individually, and, if we travel with 2 passengers, full water tank, full diesel and full gas, and all the clothes, food and furniture for a long stay, the payload is around 615kg, against an available 706kg, so some 90kg spare capacity, after allowing for 2 standard bikes weighing 38kg on the rear rack. In practice, we'll travel with a maximum of 60 Ltrs of Fresh Water, not least because a full tank does make the driving heavy going [in terms of pedestrian performance, rather than adverse handling], so we should have closer to 150kg spare payload

All/any thoughts and opinions will be welcomed with open arms!

Steve

 

[jagmanx]

Very surprised by the 80 psi.
Bound to get a harsh ride and maybe less grip.
After much research On a 3500 kg vehicle I have settled on 65 psi rear and 58 front.
We do have large tyres which obviously helps
Vehicle is Renault master at 6.5 m long.
We get a comfortable ride !
Ibelieve pressures which are too high also reduce the contact area.
Some deflate their tyres whilst driving slowly in snow and ice !

 

[El radge]

I suspect this subject may have arisen before and that there may have been a variety of opinions, but here goes ...

The Van is in for MOT today and I suspect that there will be an advisory for the tyres, on age grounds [2016 Reg on original tyres]. Present tyres are Michelin Agilis with M&S markings, but they do give a quite harsh ride at the recommended 80psi. I'm thinking of changing to Continental 4 Seasons or similar, but I'm not sure if these will have the '3 Peaks' label. I'd rather avoid the faff of a set of Winter Tyres and a separate Summer set, not least because of storage problems.

We have a 5.99m Burstner Ixeo 590 [3500kg GVW] and the [almost empty] loads on the axles and individual wheels when we bought the Van were:

Front 1 660kg Front 2 625kg = Front Axle 1285kg Max Load 1850kg
Rear 3 769kg Rear 4 772kg = Rear Axle 1541kg Max Load 2000kg

Most kit has been weighed individually, and, if we travel with 2 passengers, full water tank, full diesel and full gas, and all the clothes, food and furniture for a long stay, the payload is around 615kg, against an available 706kg, so some 90kg spare capacity, after allowing for 2 standard bikes weighing 38kg on the rear rack. In practice, we'll travel with a maximum of 60 Ltrs of Fresh Water, not least because a full tank does make the driving heavy going [in terms of pedestrian performance, rather than adverse handling], so we should have closer to 150kg spare payload

All/any thoughts and opinions will be welcomed with open arms!

Steve

What mileage have you done ? Previous van had to change tyres at 30k

 

[marchie]

What mileage have you done ? Previous van had to change tyres at 30k

12032 up to this morning. 8757 when we bought it in April 21, so we've added 3365 miles, but we'll at least double this if we manage to get to Spain this month

Steve

 

[TJBi]

I suspect this subject may have arisen before and that there may have been a variety of opinions, but here goes ...

The Van is in for MOT today and I suspect that there will be an advisory for the tyres, on age grounds [2016 Reg on original tyres]. Present tyres are Michelin Agilis with M&S markings, but they do give a quite harsh ride at the recommended 80psi. I'm thinking of changing to Continental 4 Seasons or similar, but I'm not sure if these will have the '3 Peaks' label. I'd rather avoid the faff of a set of Winter Tyres and a separate Summer set, not least because of storage problems.

We have a 5.99m Burstner Ixeo 590 [3500kg GVW] and the [almost empty] loads on the axles and individual wheels when we bought the Van were:

Front 1 660kg Front 2 625kg = Front Axle 1285kg Max Load 1850kg
Rear 3 769kg Rear 4 772kg = Rear Axle 1541kg Max Load 2000kg

Most kit has been weighed individually, and, if we travel with 2 passengers, full water tank, full diesel and full gas, and all the clothes, food and furniture for a long stay, the payload is around 615kg, against an available 706kg, so some 90kg spare capacity, after allowing for 2 standard bikes weighing 38kg on the rear rack. In practice, we'll travel with a maximum of 60 Ltrs of Fresh Water, not least because a full tank does make the driving heavy going [in terms of pedestrian performance, rather than adverse handling], so we should have closer to 150kg spare payload

All/any thoughts and opinions will be welcomed with open arms!

Steve

Michelin appear to assume that motorhomes will systematically exceed MAM and advise a very high inflation pressure, even if one attempts to persuade them to base it on actual weights.
I have replaced Continental Vanco Camper tyres with 3PMSF Michelin Agilis Cross-Climate (215/75/R16 116/114R) on the front (driving) wheels of my Hobby, and will be doing the same with the rears when the latter require replacement. I have based my inflation pressures (3.0 bar front, 4.3 bar rear) on those advised by Continental for their tyres, based on the motorhome having been weighed fully loaded (including driver and passenger), each axle separately and both axles simultaneously, when setting off on a tour, and allowing in my calculation for fresh water moving from front to rear as it turns to grey. I would suggest downloading the Continental technical databook https://blobs.continental-tires.com...c3266193/download-technical-databook-data.pdf and having a look at their recommendations (starting around page 86) for similar tyres. Ideally, configure the pdf to display with even pages on the left and succeeding odd page on the right so that you can read across the tables.

 

[jagmanx]

Michelin appear to assume that motorhomes will systematically exceed MAM and advise a very high inflation pressure, even if one attempts to persuade them to base it on actual weights.
I have replaced Continental Vanco Camper tyres with 3PMSF Michelin Agilis Cross-Climate (215/75/R16 116/114R) on the front (driving) wheels of my Hobby, and will be doing the same with the rears when the latter require replacement. I have based my inflation pressures (3.0 bar front, 4.3 bar rear) on those advised by Continental for their tyres, based on the motorhome having been weighed fully loaded (including driver and passenger), each axle separately and both axles simultaneously, when setting off on a tour, and allowing in my calculation for fresh water moving from front to rear as it turns to grey. I would suggest downloading the Continental technical databook https://blobs.continental-tires.com...c3266193/download-technical-databook-data.pdf and having a look at their recommendations (starting around page 86) for similar tyres. Ideally, configure the pdf to display with even pages on the left and succeeding odd page on the right so that you can read across the tables.

Thankyou It confirms my thought (almost) but I consider the front a bit low.
My tyres are 225/65 r16

 

[Barge1914]

Michelin Agilis Cross climate, Vredestein Comtrac 2 or suchlike 4 season tyres. For winter use and future proofing against the general trend for regs. in Europe be sure to go for ones with the 3 peak marking. They are already mandatory in Germany, and will soon become so in France for winter months. For such tyres the high pressures of CP tyres are not essential. Such tyres are commonly used by commercial vans in European Alpine countries.

 

[marchie]

Michelin Agilis Cross climate, Vredestein Comtrac 2 or suchlike 4 season tyres. For winter use and future proofing against the general trend for regs. in Europe be sure to go for ones with the 3 peak marking. They are already mandatory in Germany, and will soon become so in France for winter months. For such tyres the high pressures of CP tyres are not essential. Such tyres are commonly used by commercial vans in European Alpine countries.

The 3 Peaks Regs also apply in France from this year, but the French have decided not to Fine M/Homers this Winter if they do not have the correct tyres [confirmed by a French M/Homer based in Touloon]. Just collected Brunhilde from the garage, clean MOT, with no advisories. We'll get Brunhilde tested again in October, along with the car [MOT'd on Wednesday] so that we are not limited by MOT dates when planning WinterTrips

Steve

 

[jagmanx]

as below

 

[Exwindsurfer]

I've got BF goodrich all terrain 225 x 75 x16in my van full laiden is just over 3.4 tons and I run my tyres at 55psi front and 60psi rear and it drives superb on them .I would think running 80psi to be one harsh ride .

Jeff

 

[SimonM]

I gave Michelin my gvw etc. and the tyres I was fitting ie Agilis and they always say 80psi rears. Conti said nearer to 60psi for theirs. I don’t get a harsh ride on my Burstner Nexxo @4000kg but I do have air suspension on the rear which is lovely at smoothing out bumpy stuff.

M+S markings are no good for winter over there, they must be the 3 peaks symbols.

my tyres are 225/15

 

[TJBi]

Thankyou It confirms my thought (almost) but I consider the front a bit low.
My tyres are 225/65 r16

The front is based on 1500kg on the front axle and was recommended by Continental's technical department based on that axle loading. Perhaps your front axle has a higher loading or you have greater expertise than Continental's technical department (or both).

 

[TJBi]

as below

View attachment 62086

Source? Loadings?

 

[alwaysared]

I have Michelin Agilis tyres and run 65psi front and rear and have had no problems, 80psi seems a bit high to me.

Regards,
Del

 

[alwaysared]

I have Michelin Agilis tyres and run 65psi front and rear and have had no problems, 80psi seems a bit high to me.

Regards,
Del

Just looked in the Hymer manual and it says 4.1bar (60psi) front and 4.5bar (65psi) rear so two out of four ain't bad

Regards,
Del

 

[wildebus]

The 3 Peaks Regs also apply in France from this year, but the French have decided not to Fine M/Homers this Winter if they do not have the correct tyres [confirmed by a French M/Homer based in Touloon]. Just collected Brunhilde from the garage, clean MOT, with no advisories. We'll get Brunhilde tested again in October, along with the car [MOT'd on Wednesday] so that we are not limited by MOT dates when planning WinterTrips

Steve

100% Michelin Cross-Climates. They meet all the winter tyre regulations.
When I fitted a set to my car a few years ago, I found them better in the Summer than the Summer Tyres, and better in the Winter than the Winter Tyres. For people north of the border like us, the recommended temperatures when Winter Tyres are suggested means half the year on winters, half on summers and who knows when the crossovers end up being - so the Cross-Climates win on that front as well (can you tell I am a fan?)

You are welcome to have a look at mine next week. Just about the first thing I did when I got my Autotrail in Sept 2020 was to change the tyres for the Cross-Climates.


PS. "Agilis" is Michelins name for ALL and ANY Van Tyres. so any Michelin Tyre suitable to be on a van will be an Agilis. The tyres I have on the Autotrail are, to give them their full name, Michelin Aglis Cross-Climate. Their camping tyres are Michelin Agilis Camping; and their standard van tyres are Michelin Agilis 'Van' or something or other, but still 'Agilis'

 

[Greengrass]

 

[alwaysared]

I found a manual for the Ixeo 590 and this is the tyre pressure page:

If you want the manual message me with your email address.

Regards,
Del

 

[marchie]

I found a manual for the Ixeo 590 and this is the tyre pressure page:
View attachment 62088
If you want the manual message me with your email address.

Regards,
Del

Thanks, Del. I had the Manual when I bought the M/Home, and it was the 5.5 Bar front and back, plus other M/Homers singing the praises of Continental and thir Technical Dept's advice to run at lower pressures that made me think about switching brands. I'll have a look at David's tyres when I visit next week to have some work done, and then I can make my choice!

Steve

 

[Mobilvetta]

I emailed Michelin tyres and asked if they intended putting the 3 peaks sign on there camping tyres, so that they complied with the new standards for touring in France and Germany in the winter months, or whether I could fit the Agilis cross climates, this was there reply.