As per the heading, it might be worth checking ones tyres. No, not for condition this time, although that's a good idea as well, but more by the way of do you have the correct tyres for your model of caravan fitted. Maybe sounds simples and obvious but there again, maybe not.

On expressing an interest to purchase, the dealer supplied us with an information sheet listing all aspects of our prospective 2013 Triton 430 purchase. As regards the tyres that were fitted it listed - 185/70 R14 as the van was uprated to 1200kg. However, more recently I have been unable to find the appropriate pressures for these size tyres in the supplied handbook. What entries there were only went up to a van uprated to 1100kg and so I fired off an email to Hymer.

In their reply it stated that the tyres size mentioned are not suitable for a Triton 430 rated at 1200kg and the correct size tyres should be 185 R14C. Um I thought, the only thing missing from the first size mentioned is the 70 but of course with the additional suffix 'C'.

As it turns out, the size advised by Hymer matched what was in the vehicle registration document although having only had a quick glance I obviously didn't spot the discrepancy and this was only confirmed when I took a drive to the storage depot and did a visual check.

Now as mentioned above, the only allowable tyre size for fitting to the Triton 430 as listed in the caravans registration document is 185 R14C and this is checked during the first inspection (MOT) due after 3 years and then bi-annually. I believe caravans in the UK are neither required to be registered or subject to periodic testing (MOT). It struck me, therefore, that there is a risk - maybe small but a risk all the same - of someone selling a caravan on that has had the incorrect tyres fitted either due to negligence or ignorance. The only time that we are allowed to have tyres fitted, whether to car or caravan etc, that are not listed in the registration document, is when a tyre manufacturer (via the dealer/tyre fitter) supplies a certificate of conformity (approved by the DOT/MOT) which in turn has to be handed over to the purchaser and which also in turn has to be presented to the authorities when the caravan is presented for test.

I think from the above that by these document entries/regulations that it's pretty hard to drive around with inappropriate or unsuitable tyres neither of which apply to the UK hence my advice that in the interest of peace of mind, let alone the safety factors, it's worth while double checking that your caravan has the correct and approved tyres fitted especially if you have obtained the van second hand or imported it from abroard.

Although we dont have mot tests for caravans we do have vosa who use the police to make you drive into the vosa compound while they check you out issue warnings and remove the dangerous from the roads.
most people get the caravan serviced which does help sort these issues.

from memory
the 70 is the height from the rim to the tread
185 is the tyre width across
r stands for rim and the c may be a commercial
or the weight rating of the tyre is normally 102 or 104 or a letter at certain speed
a commercial tyre has more reinforcement and can be harder than a car tyre.
to find a new tyres you have to look at the axle rating and then look for tyre. I ended up going to the local tyre firm once worked out the rating number.

Are they replacing your tyres Deeps if they are wrong?


the 185 r14 c has been specially made for commercial applications hence weight carrying ability.
tyres must be the same size on axle

Here are the weight rating and speed rating codes :-

https://files.homepagemodules.de/b614104/f12t311p2015n5.jpg

Quote: Pop540 wrote in post #2

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Are they replacing your tyres Deeps if they are wrong?

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Very useful and pertinent article. We bought a 2001 Puck last October and used it a couple of times before Christmas. Last week I had it serviced ready for the forthcoming season ( it was last serviced in October 2012), and were advised that the tyres needed replacing as they were made in Week 34 of 2001. Yes, 2001. Needless to say, the next time "Erbie" moves from the drive will be to the tyre fitters. I am surprised that the previous service did not alert this issue as there is no reference in the relevant paperwork.

Quote: Randa france wrote in post #6

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Deeps. The 102 on your tyres relates to the load rating and is as you say 850 kg. The L however is the speed rating which is 120 kph or 75 mph.

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You do need to take notice of the original tyre specification,
some commercial vehicle tyres of a suitable size for a caravan
require a very high tyre pressure which will make them unyielding
as part of the calculated suspension give, resulting in poor handling
and contents being thrown out of cuboards

[quote=
from memory
the 70 is the height from the rim to the tread

[/quote]

No, pop,....70,...is the percentage aspect ratio of the tyre.
It refers , as you say to the height, but varies as a percentage of the tyre width .

Some useful info

http://www.kwik-fit.com/writing-on-my-tyres.asp


http://www.kwik-fit.com/assets/jpg/graphics/tyre-sidewall-2008-10-10.jpg

Quote: crow wrote in post #8

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You do need to take notice of the original tyre specification,
some commercial vehicle tyres of a suitable size for a caravan
require a very high tyre pressure which will make them unyielding
as part of the calculated suspension give, resulting in poor handling
and contents being thrown out of cuboards

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From what I have heard both trolls and tritons should be fitted with commercial van tyres of full profile thus 185 r14 c or 185 r15c depending on wheel size. The 70 in the 185 70 r14 refers to a 70% profile tyre which are not recommended for fitting to trailers caravans ect

Commercial van tyres are designed to run within a range of pressures dependant on the weight of the van ect.it is important that you find the correct running pressure for the vans weight from your dealer/hymer and don't just assume its to be maximum stated on the tyre

Apparently some older vans are fitted with195 70 14r trailer tyres on up rated axels?