Recommendations for Fiat Ducato (LWB) tyres

[mark61]

The tyre size is in OP, what is needed now is info if van is Maxi chassis or light chassis, OP seems reluctant to post this despite me asking.

Would a 3.5 tonne model be available in both forms, light and maxi?
I think both run on 16" wheels now, I guess it's very possible some won't know what chassis they have?

 

[Pudsey Bear]

All the info should be on the slam panel data plate.

 

[colinm]

Would a 3.5 tonne model be available in both forms, light and maxi?
I think both run on 16" wheels now, I guess it's very possible some won't know what chassis they have?

A 3.5t Ducato could be either Maxi or light chassis, at one time only the Maxi had 16" wheels, now they are an option on light chassis. As our ursine friend says, a quick look at the data plate will confirm.

 

[exwindsurfer]

I was running 15in steel wheel when I got the van but have been running 16in alloys for several years now .the only thing going up to 16in wheel was in knocked the speed out so now at 30mph you are actually doing 30 but showing 70mph on the speed your actually doing 74mph I just watch the TomTom for speed .

Ps I when from 225 x70x 15in to 225 x 75 x16in

 

[wildebus]

It depends on how you use the van, if you intend to go to Europe in Winter fit Michelin Crossclimate but if you only use it in the UK then fit ordinary van tyres with the correct load rating

I would disagree with this.
"winter" tyres are nothing to do with snow and all to do with temperature. Once you get down to around 6 degrees Celsius, a winter tyre will perform better and be safer on the road. Now yes, it will depend where you are in the UK and when you tend to use your motorhome, so if you live on the south coast and only drive in summer, then sure, standard tyres are fine; but if you drive it all year round, or you live in Scotland where the average temp is below 6C for some of the day for over half the year then a Winter tyre has an advantage for sure.
For the above reason, I run Michelin Cross Climates on both my Car AND my Motorhome. I find they are actually better than both the dedicated Winter Tyres I used to use on the Car in the cold months, and the premium brand standard tyres that the cars come with.

Hi folks. It's time to replace the tyres (Van Smart A/S AL2 or 215/75 R16C) on my Fiat Ducato as the tread is wearing thin. A KwikFit guy told me they should never have been fitted in the first place, so I thought I'd ask you guys - the experts - for your recommendations. Thanks.

I don't know where you are, but I am going to make an assumption you are "op north" based on your user name And if that is the case, I would say going for something like the Michelin Crossclimates (my own preference) or a all-season tyre (lots to choose from) would be a wise investment. Saving money by getting unsuitable tyres for the driving you do is rarely a wise idea.

The very first modification I made when I got my new-to-me Motorhome 4 years ago was to get a brand new set of MIchelin Crossclimates, and they were on within a couple of weeks of having it.

 

[runnach]

To small for me Terry lololol

That’s not what Gordon told me

 

[mark61]

In the UK, you can expect an all season or four season tyre like the Michelin Crossclimate to perform better than a dedicated winter tyre. Temperatures below -20 and below, you can expect a dedicated winter tyre to perform better.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I would assume that any tyres sold in the UK would be suitable for use in any weather. We do get extremes but rarely, except up in Scotland, mainly. But do the tyre dealers up there sell any different than in England?

 

[wildebus]

I would assume that any tyres sold in the UK would be suitable for use in any weather.

That is a massive assumption. I am going to assume you don't mean that literally?

We do get extremes but rarely, except up in Scotland, mainly. But do the tyre dealers up there sell any different than in England?

I would think there would be different proportions of different types of tyres sold. I am sure a tyre dealer in Inverness will sell a greater number of Winter tyres than a dealer in Penzance. And in London of course, there will be a large number of very low profile tyres sold for the Chelsea Tractors that never see a leaf of grass.

 

[trevskoda]

I was running 15in steel wheel when I got the van but have been running 16in alloys for several years now .the only thing going up to 16in wheel was in knocked the speed out so now at 30mph you are actually doing 30 but showing 70mph on the speed your actually doing 74mph I just watch the TomTom for speed .

Ps I when from 225 x70x 15in to 225 x 75 x16in

Same happened when i changed my dif ratio from 8/41 to 11/43, so i now use a dash GPS speedo.

 

[mark61]

I would assume that any tyres sold in the UK would be suitable for use in any weather. We do get extremes but rarely, except up in Scotland, mainly. But do the tyre dealers up there sell any different than in England?

May well be half the reason everything comes to a standstill with an inch of snow.

Increasing list of countries that require 3 pmsf rated tyres, if you travel abroad in winter.

 

[wildebus]

Same happened when i changed my dif ratio from 8/41 to 11/43, so i now use a dash GPS speedo.

Other key difference with tyre change .... increased rolling diameter means lower engine revs at the same specific [GPS accurate] speed. I changed my VW T4 tyres for 'oversized' tyres for that reason as the vehicle was undergeared. Dropped a few hundred revs at cruising speed and was much more pleasant to travel in. (getting bigger tyres much easier than messing around with diffs )

 

[mark61]

Don't see how it's correct to suggest Winter tyres are nothing to do with snow.
All the info on all makes of winter tyres will mention how the tread pattern helps to maintain control in snowy conditions. Nokian, probably one the most respected winter tyre in Nordic countries even name one of their winter tyre ranges "Snowproof".

Winter tyres are about snow and ice, as well as temperature.

 

[wildebus]

Don't see how it's correct to suggest Winter tyres are nothing to do with snow.
All the info on all makes of winter tyres will mention how the tread pattern helps to maintain control in snowy conditions. Nokian, probably one the most respected winter tyre in Nordic countries even name one of their winter tyre ranges "Snowproof".

Winter tyres are about snow and ice, as well as temperature.

You are correct, I shouldn't have said NOTHING to do with snow, but the primary benefit is how the compound reacts to colder temperatures. Problem is most people generally think Winter Tyres = Snow and that is just not correct.
as you say, Nokian name ONE of their tyres "Snowproof". what about the rest?

 

[runnach]

Nokian name ONE of their tyres "Snowproof". what about the rest?

Snowflakes?

Anyhoooo, interesting thread, my thoughts are to stick with the Agilis tyres.

 

[wildebus]

One little observation on both winter tyres and rolling size ... I used to have two sets of wheels for my RAV4 - one standard set with Bridgestone tyres (OEM ones); and one set with Continental Winter Contacts for the winter (fitted in Oct, removed around Easter time). The tyres were the identical sizes (can't recall what exactly - something like 235/60R18 at a guess) but the winter tyres worked out to be 3% bigger circumference than the Bridgestones. Just shows you can't take the results of the tyre calculators as gospel. tread wear and manufacuring difference play a part.

I also used to have a set of summer and winter wheels and tyres for the cars. When the CrossClimates were first announced, I had a set of those fitted to avoid having to store a set of tyres all the time and swap over. The summer tyres were the standard OEM fitment (think Continentals) and the Winters were a decent brand as well, but the Michelin Cross-Climates performed better on the road than BOTH the summer Conti's and the Winter Tyres. This is why they are my tyre of choice instead of all-seasons, let alone having multiple wheel+tyre sets. On my current car, the tyres refused to die for years until one got a slight bulge and that was my excuse to change them all for the Cross-Climates
Yes, more expensive than budget or midrange tyres, but cheaper than having two sets of wheels and tyres, and in my own experience, better as well

 

[TJBi]

Snowflakes?

Anyhoooo, interesting thread, my thoughts are to stick with the Agilis tyres.

I can recommend the Agilis CrossClimate tyres.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I have those on the back, the fronts were swapped in April due to cracks for van tyres.

 

[Glass man]

Which countries are you going to in Europe?
Check their requirements for "Winter" tyres. On our way to Portugal we came across several roads in France where winter tyres or chains are required. Germany now has strict requirements for winter tyres, M and S marked ones are nolonger adequate.

 

[GMJ]

I recently changed all 6 of ours for Continental CP tyres as I have had them before and had no issues. They worked out considerably cheaper than the Michelin CP ones as well. I carry a pair of snow socks for use in France in the unlikely event that I will need them (we go down to Spain through France every January) or if I get stopped.