Tyres

[andromeda]

Leo in for service. 3 perished tyres. Gisbournes (haulage company) reccomends Continental camping tyres at £165 each. Advice please for someone with total brain fog at present. Van is plated at 3.4.
Thanks for reading.

 

[TJBi]

Leo in for service. 3 perished tyres. Gisbournes (haulage company) reccomends Continental camping tyres at £165 each. Advice please for someone with total brain fog at present. Van is plated at 3.4.
Thanks for reading.

I (as many on here and on WildCamping) would recommend Michelin Agilis CrossClimate. You can get a camper version if you wish, but the main thing is to check load ratings.

 

[Geek]

Leo in for service. 3 perished tyres. Gisbournes (haulage company) reccomends Continental camping tyres at £165 each. Advice please for someone with total brain fog at present. Van is plated at 3.4.
Thanks for reading.

Continental is a decent brand, but I advise you not to buy camping tyres. Make sure the load rating is high enough. That's all you need.

 

[andromeda]

Continental is a decent brand, but I advise you not to buy camping tyres. Make sure the load rating is high enough. That's all you need.

Could you give me the basis fir not having camping tyres please. I have to put this to knowledgeable garage people and want to sound a bit knowledgeable. What liad do I need for a 3.4 plate?

 

[Geek]

Camping tyres have thicker sidewalls to cope with being kerbed a lot.

This means they can't dissipate heat as fast.

This means you have to run them at far higher pressure to stop heat building up as you drive along.

This high pressure gives a harsh, noisy ride, poor road grip and uneven wear on the tyres. All your pots and pans rattle. Maybe your teeth too!

Oh, and camping tyres cost more, for no benefit to the buyer.

The actual maximum permissible axle weights are on the plate on the vehicle.

Ideally, you load your van up with everything and all the people and drive to a weighbridge and get the axle weights of each axle to find the correct pressure, but the tyres should be chosen to be able to carry (half) the maximum axle weight.

The 'index rating' codes written in the tyres are numbers like 104/101 which means a max load of 900kg normally, 825kg when fitted in a pair. For single use, you look up the higher number.

My guess is that your van will probably have axle weights of about 1800 and 1600kg which means a tyre load of 900 and 800 respectively, for which a lod index of 104 is enough, but higher is fine.

You don't have to convince the garage. You are the customer. You are paying. It is your choice.

One word of warning: be sure you are sold fresh tyres, not ones that have been in storage for many months or years. Every tyre has a date code as well!

 

[TeamRienza]

Two points,
If you are needing three tyres replacing, then I would seriously consider getting all four done at the same time. You need to factor in your available budget, the age of the 'good' tyre, it's condition and potential future lifespan. Perhaps replacing all 4 gives you an assured future without worries other than unexpected damage. The 'good' tyre may become a newer spare tyre than any you currently might have.
The second point is, Why do Michelin, Continental and others go to the bother of making tyres specifically for campers. The production runs must be minute compared to ordinary van tyre production. Of course, they make a profit on them or else they wouldn't bother, but I constantly hear self appointed experts denigrating specific camper tyres and handing out their advice on simply buying van tyres, and geek is one of the most vociferous.
Do a bit more research, look for a recent very long thread on here started by Barry's on his search for new tyres.
Ultimately it is your decision, and one of most important factors is the load rating. If you don't already know it, you would be well advised to have your van weighed with full trip equipment etc as your start point.

Davy

 

[Geek]

FYI I have worked at a garage that sold tyres, I know a number of people on the tyre trade and I do know why they make camper tyres.

Indeed. I said so: they are more able to cope with repeated kerbing.

In my view, the vastly inferior ride and grip of camper tyres vastly outweighs their minimal gain in coping with inept drivers.

The other reason they are made is that they cost more to buy, so are more profitable.

Having said that, I'd also recommend a set of four if you need three. No extra cost. You can buy four good c tyres for the price of three cp tyres from Conti.

I'd be interested to hear why you think CP tyres are a good choice.

As for load rating after getting the van weighed, that's just wrong.

If your actual weight is less than the van's MGW you still need tyres with a load index at least as high as the max legal weight. The next owner may have a heavy dog.

If your actual weight is more than the MGW you need to reduce the weight.

 

[alwaysared]

What tyres are fitted now? If they are camper tyres and your happy with them get the same again if you're budget allows. I've had both commercial van and camper tyres and to be honest I never found any difference on the road I expect the garage will insist on Camper ones because if they fit non camper ones and anything happens they don't want any comeback. Same thing goes for the tyre manufacturer

Regards,
Del

 

[Admin]

Hi Ann,

I’d personally recommend looking at Michelin Agilis Camping or Michelin CrossClimate Camping tyres. These are both excellent choices for motorhomes.

Camping-specific tyres, like the ones mentioned (and the Continental VancoCamper you were quoted for), are designed with reinforced sidewalls to handle the extra weight of motorhomes, especially when stationary for long periods or when moving slowly over rough ground like grass or gravel. That extra reinforcement helps reduce the risk of blowouts or damage when cornering, parked up, or crossing uneven ground.

They also use a slightly different rubber compound to help resist UV damage and ozone degradation—ideal for vehicles that might sit unused for a while between trips. That’s why they’re generally rated for up to 10 years of lifespan, even if the tread is still good.

The CrossClimate Camping version is newer and includes all-season performance, giving you more grip in wet and cold conditions—worth considering in the UK climate.

Your van being plated at 3.4 tonnes means you’ll want to ensure the load rating is suitable—camping tyres are usually made with that in mind, but it’s always worth double-checking the load index (something like 109 or 112 usually does the trick).

Phil

 

[andromeda]

Camping tyres have thicker sidewalls to cope with being kerbed a lot.

This means they can't dissipate heat as fast.

This means you have to run them at far higher pressure to stop heat building up as you drive along.

This high pressure gives a harsh, noisy ride, poor road grip and uneven wear on the tyres. All your pots and pans rattle. Maybe your teeth too!

Oh, and camping tyres cost more, for no benefit to the buyer.

The actual maximum permissible axle weights are on the plate on the vehicle.

Ideally, you load your van up with everything and all the people and drive to a weighbridge and get the axle weights of each axle to find the correct pressure, but the tyres should be chosen to be able to carry (half) the maximum axle weight.

The 'index rating' codes written in the tyres are numbers like 104/101 which means a max load of 900kg normally, 825kg when fitted in a pair. For single use, you look up the higher number.

My guess is that your van will probably have axle weights of about 1800 and 1600kg which means a tyre load of 900 and 800 respectively, for which a lod index of 104 is enough, but higher is fine.

You don't have to convince the garage. You are the customer. You are paying. It is your choice.

One word of warning: be sure you are sold fresh tyres, not ones that have been in storage for many months or years. Every tyre has a date code as well!

Thank you.

 

[andromeda]

Thanks all. Did further research and have gone for non camper ones. Yes I know my van does stand perhaps more than some of the intrepid campers on here but given that other than the rare times when I have family on board I don't carry as much weight as people may imagine. There can be a significant difference in price also. The tires being replaced are 09 non campers so I think that helps my decision.
Wish this bloomin brain fog would clear; it makes even simple decision making a marathon!

 

[TJBi]

Thanks all. Did further research and have gone for non camper ones. Yes I know my van does stand perhaps more than some of the intrepid campers on here but given that other than the rare times when I have family on board I don't carry as much weight as people may imagine. There can be a significant difference in price also. The tires being replaced are 09 non campers so I think that helps my decision.
Wish this bloomin brain fog would clear; it makes even simple decision making a marathon!

Assuming that the van sits unused outside, worth considering using something to protect the tyres from UV for that time.

 

[Geek]

Assuming that the van sits unused outside, worth considering using something to protect the tyres from UV for that time.

Yes that's an excellent point. If your tyres get sun shining on them, the UV degrades them.

A bit of shade is a good idea, but don't use a black bin liner: the extra heat might be as bad.

 

[Molly 3]

Leo in for service. 3 perished tyres. Gisbournes (haulage company) reccomends Continental camping tyres at £165 each. Advice please for someone with total brain fog at present. Van is plated at 3.4.
Thanks for reading.

That is good advice