Ouch!! (Tyres)

[mark61]

Being safe would be starting with Conti's figures and then making minor adjustment to suite. Really safe would include fitting a TPMS with a temperature reading, then you know pretty much exactly where you are. TyrePal seems to be the preferred one.

 

[colinm]

So maybe go with 65 on the front and 69 on the back then just to be safe?

If I was a bit concerned by different advice that is the pressures I'd run at, it will give plenty of margin for error.

 

[barryd]

If I was a bit concerned by different advice that is the pressures I'd run at, it will give plenty of margin for error.

As long as I can't risk damaging them early Ill try that. Suck it and see as they say. The friendly garage up the road will probably do it FOC. My pump is shite and I dont trust any of my gauges. Our first trip is just a short one up to Arran for a month so it will be a good testing ground. I want to get it right for the Alps and Pyrenees though.

 

[Geek]

If I have read that chart right assuming about 1800 kg on the front and about 2100 on the back fully loaded thats 50 PSI in the front and 65 PSI on the back. That seems ridiculously low. 5.5 bar or 80psi was supposedly what they are supposed to be but none of the weights within the axle limits on that chart are that unless its over the max 2400kg on the rear.

Still as clear as mud.

65 isn't always ridiculously low
Can't read that little chart on my phone, but the correct pressures for my motorhome are 52psi front, 48psi rear. I generally run them a little higher (54/50) unless checking them in cold weather.

On the road, the pressures increase by 4 to 6psi in any case.

They stay stable if inflated with nitrogen, but I don't have a nitrogen cylinder.

 

[Geek]

So maybe go with 65 on the front and 69 on the back then just to be safe?

Safe from what? Too high a pressure and the grip on the road is reduced. Too low a pressure and there is a danger of overheating and blowout.
That's why you calculate the correct pressure.
More is less safe, less is less safe.

 

[barryd]

Safe from what? Too high a pressure and the grip on the road is reduced. Too low a pressure and there is a danger of overheating and blowout.
That's why you calculate the correct pressure.
More is less safe, less is less safe.

Well they are all at 80 psi at the moment and the road holding and handling is fine but the ride is too harsh. The figures suggested by Conti were based on my weighbridge weights. I added a bit more for maybe extra stuff we might load in but then there are other forces at play as Conti say about temporary overloads so I thought it better to play it safe by decreasing a fair bit what they are now but then upping it from whats on that chart. I'm more concerned about compromising the tyres by going too low. So I figured 65 on the front and 69 on the back might be a good place to start.

 

[Nabsim]

Jeez Barry don't ever buy a trike, I m running the car tyres on the reliant back axle of mine at 10psi

 

[mark61]

Jeez Barry don't ever buy a trike, I m running the car tyres on the reliant back axle of mine at 10psi

Perfect considering the amount of potholes around. Like a comfy sofa.

 

[trevskoda]

Safe from what? Too high a pressure and the grip on the road is reduced. Too low a pressure and there is a danger of overheating and blowout.
That's why you calculate the correct pressure.
More is less safe, less is less safe.

Seems more or less correct, should i or shoudent i but cannot make my mind up.

 

[barryd]

Got my local garage to adjust the pressures as I don't trust my gauge. 65psi on the front 69psi on the rear as discussed. The chap there though warned me that he was pretty sure they should be 80PSI though and on some 72PSI on the front. It even says so on the door post which he showed me but its max pressure. Same written on the side of the tyre. It says they can be pressurised "up to" 80 PSI. So I informed him that you lot on the Wildies know best so if it all goes tits up now its your fault. I also mentioned the email from Conti of course.

Anyway it is better I think. Not quite as light or crashy and just felt better. Still a bit rattly and firm but I was on my own with no bike on the back and not all our stuff in the van. It might be about right once trip ready. Off up to Arran on 1st of May for a month so that will be a good test as their roads in places are dire.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

No idea what the pressure is in mine, but it does feel harsh.

 

[guerdeval]

I had a puncture in my os rear yesterday and tyre shop wouldn't repair as it was Made in 2013, been on the van from new and still looked brand new so I bought 2 economy van tyes at 1/3rd the cost of premium MH tyres , running at 60psi so I'll report back when I go out next week, good load rating so hopefully a more comfy ride that the Conti that came off.

 

[barryd]

No idea what the pressure is in mine, but it does feel harsh.

Get them checked then. I think the suspension on this van is a lot stiffer than the old one. Everything about it just feels bigger and firmer but thats not surprising really because it is . The old one was from the last century and ran around right up to its max weight and this one is a fair bit off its max weight. Half a ton under with the bike on and two passengers when we got weighed but we can probably add a bit to that once fully loaded for a few months away.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Unlikely to be too high, and you can tell if they're really too low by looking at them after 30 years experience driving vans and daily checks you get an eye for things.

 

[mark61]

Any vehicle running around 3/4 to max loaded is going to have suspension showing signs of wear after a number of years.
Just look at the number of saggy arsed vehicles about, not just MH's, but MH's are generally worse.
It's a slow process so people don't notice it.

 

[barryd]

Any vehicle running around 3/4 to max loaded is going to have suspension showing signs of wear after a number of years.
Just look at the number of saggy arsed vehicles about, not just MH's, but MH's are generally worse.
It's a slow process so people don't notice it.

The old Kontiki was 28 years old but I never noticed it deteriorating in ride really but it probably did and it was always maxed out. Maybe the Alko chassis helps. This one is loads better but so it should be really. Its not quieter though with the rattles. If anything its worse. Well maybe it wont be now.

 

[trevskoda]

I had a puncture in my os rear yesterday and tyre shop wouldn't repair as it was Made in 2013, been on the van from new and still looked brand new so I bought 2 economy van tyes at 1/3rd the cost of premium MH tyres , running at 60psi so I'll report back when I go out next week, good load rating so hopefully a more comfy ride that the Conti that came off.

65 psi seems to be about right, i had mine at 80 to test but a tad harch to be honest.

 

[gabby82]

All of that weight on a very small contact area with the road at 60 mph or so! No choice I think it is recommended to change tyres a few years earlier than 10. It’s not only your life is at risk but those of others and not just road users ,it could be an innocent pedestrian or cyclist.