Tyres

Nigel L

Nigel L

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Hi all, we are due to collect our new Campervan in a couple of weeks time, and it has Continental tyres fitted 215/75 R16 C.
Now, on our previous Camper, we also had continental tyres, but were 225/75 R16 CP.
I wasn’t overly impressed with the ride to be honest, as found the Camper tyres a bit too stiff. The tyres on the new van look like they are Commercial tyres and 215 as opposed to the Camper 225.
Now, not knowing a great deal about tyres, can anyone advise whether the commercial tyres will give a better ride, and will the difference between 225 and 215 make any difference? Will the slightly narrower (215) be better in wet/slippery conditions?
and finally would you still consider swapping to four season type tyres.
Any pointers would be much appreciated.
thanks.
 
Nigel L said:
Hi all, we are due to collect our new Campervan in a couple of weeks time, and it has Continental tyres fitted 215/75 R16 C.
Now, on our previous Camper, we also had continental tyres, but were 225/75 R16 CP.
I wasn’t overly impressed with the ride to be honest, as found the Camper tyres a bit too stiff. The tyres on the new van look like they are Commercial tyres and 215 as opposed to the Camper 225.
Now, not knowing a great deal about tyres, can anyone advise whether the commercial tyres will give a better ride, and will the difference between 225 and 215 make any difference? Will the slightly narrower (215) be better in wet/slippery conditions?
and finally would you still consider swapping to four season type tyres.
Any pointers would be much appreciated.
thanks.
Click to expand...
Tyre type and size won’t make that much difference that you would notice but pressure would. Tyres are probably over inflated.
 
There is a weight load difference between 215 and 225 if you’re interested. Personally I don’t like Conti as they seem to wear quickly. I will swap next time I change to a 4 season tyre as my existing Michelins are now discontinued.
 
I know tyres are a very personal choice, but which 4 season tyres do people recommend?
 
mark61 said:
Last time there was a similar tyre post I think many favoured the Michelin Agilis CrossClimate or the Michelin Camper CrossClimate.

https://www.michelin.co.uk/auto/tyres/michelin-agilis-crossclimate

https://www.michelin.co.uk/auto/browse-tyres/by-category/camper


Earlier thread.

https://wildcamping.co.uk/threads/tyres.86365/#post-1182140
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That’s what I have on my current van, and they are fine.

But if the PO is looking for comfort, we are having air suspension fitted to our new van. I have never heard anything but good reports regarding this.
 
There are lots of different Conti tyres of that size, if it's for the Maxi Chassis then none will be marked CP as it's impossible to make a tyre that size which meets CP specs that is strong enough to take the 2.5t axle loading, it could however be a C tyre built to same specs as the camper tyres, you'll know as it will be marked 'Vanco Camper'.
We have the Conti 'Van Contact 100' in that size, can't say it's any different to the camper.
p.s. if it is on Maxi chassis, in my experience the stiffness of suspension is what gives the hard ride.
 
colinm said:
There are lots of different Conti tyres of that size, if it's for the Maxi Chassis then none will be marked CP as it's impossible to make a tyre that size which meets CP specs that is strong enough to take the 2.5t axle loading, it could however be a C tyre built to same specs as the camper tyres, you'll know as it will be marked 'Vanco Camper'.
We have the Conti 'Van Contact 100' in that size, can't say it's any different to the camper.
p.s. if it is on Maxi chassis, in my experience the stiffness of suspension is what gives the hard ride.
Click to expand...
20221005_162054.jpg



Fitted on my Maxi Chassis OE 4005kg.

Air suspension as fitted to premium cars Range Rover, BMW, Merc etc and Air Assist suspension, to stop you having a saggy bottom on your MH are very different things.
 
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Don’t know why mine should ride and handle so well unless it’s because of the rear wheel drive ans AS air at the rear. With Conti’s you just need to send axle loadings to their tech guys and they will say what pressure to use. Maybe that’s why mine is okay
 
I fit the cheaper cost tyres and dont give a fart, got 4 new tyres on new rims from England for £100 caus the chap wanted alloys, think they cost me £30 postage, these are now my reserves hiding in the workshop, think there mitchies
iveco rim.png
 
colinm said:
Just as I said, the 215/75 16CP cannot be fitted to a Maxi chassis due to axle loads, yours is a 225/75 16CP.
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"...if it's for the Maxi Chassis then none will be marked CP as it's impossible to make a tyre that size which meets CP specs...."

👍 I read it the other way round,
 
yeoblade said:
"...if it's for the Maxi Chassis then none will be marked CP as it's impossible to make a tyre that size which meets CP specs...."

👍 I read it the other way round,
Click to expand...
Yes my bad explanation I should have clarified that this referred to 215/75-16 116 load index.
 
About 2 months ago, I swapped from Continental Vanco to Michelin Crossclimate campers. What a difference. The ride quality, the grip and handling have all improved. Not cheap but I'm impressed with them so far.
In particular I found the grip on the Vancos terrible on anything other than tarmac.
 
sludgesurfer said:
About 2 months ago, I swapped from Continental Vanco to Michelin Crossclimate campers. What a difference. The ride quality, the grip and handling have all improved. Not cheap but I'm impressed with them so far.
In particular I found the grip on the Vancos terrible on anything other than tarmac.
Click to expand...
Different tyres perform best at different pressures and getting the pressures right is the key. On a motorhome your not going to notice much difference between makes of tyre if they are at the correct pressures for the vehicle and it’s load. Manufacturers will state a pressure for their tyres but every vehicle is different hence pressures should be.
 
I agree and spent time researching and experimenting with pressures on both sets of tyres. It's not surprising that the michelins are an improvement for grip given they're an all season tyre whereas the Vancos aren't but the ride and handling improvement was a surprise to me.
 
sludgesurfer said:
About 2 months ago, I swapped from Continental Vanco to Michelin Crossclimate campers. What a difference. The ride quality, the grip and handling have all improved. Not cheap but I'm impressed with them so far.
In particular I found the grip on the Vancos terrible on anything other than tarmac.
Click to expand...
Any difference in cab noise would you say?
Merl
 
Traditionally winter tyres had a softer compound than summer tyres and were thought to have a shorter lifespan with regard to rate of tread wear.
Has anyone had experience of the longevity of Michelin cross climate tyres on their car.
I would also be interested in hearing the experience regarding handling from anyone who has fitted only two. Michelin recommend all four be replaced at once but I have two Aglis dated 2019 with plenty of tread, so am loath to dump them and shoulder the cost of four expensive 225/75 R16 in one go.
My feeling is that since the van rarely travels at more than 50mph and usually much slower, handling issues are likely to be minimal. I reckon Michelin are just covering their ass rather like the 80psi on rear camping tyre advice. I cannot imagine there is any more difference in handling than a vehicle which has 2mm tread on one axle and a newer 5mm tread on the other axle. I should add that I don’t envisage driving in winter snow conditions in my van, simply that cross climate are now the only camping tyre that Michelin supply.

Davy
 
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