Tyre pressure

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Wesley
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Tyre pressure

Post by Wesley »

Hi all,

Hoping someone,somewhere can point me in the right direction please?

Van just passed mot (relief as some rust needs attention!) - however , needs a set of tyres ( 2 on limit and 1 seems to lose air pressure easy).

Anyway, got a new set of continentals put on it - fronts are 205/55 r 16 and rear are 225/50 r16.

Guy at garage has set them all to 36 psi but he didn't seem over confident. Just wondered if anyone had any better ideas?

Cheers
Wesley

Ralf85
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Re: Tyre pressure

Post by Ralf85 »

The Westfalia recommended tyre pressures are 39psi on the front wheels and 48psi on the rears where most of the weight is. Different models are slightly different but this should help as a guide.

multisi
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Re: Tyre pressure

Post by multisi »

Wesley wrote:Hi all,

Hoping someone,somewhere can point me in the right direction please?

Van just passed mot (relief as some rust needs attention!) - however , needs a set of tyres ( 2 on limit and 1 seems to lose air pressure easy).

Anyway, got a new set of continentals put on it - fronts are 205/55 r 16 and rear are 225/50 r16.

Guy at garage has set them all to 36 psi but he didn't seem over confident. Just wondered if anyone had any better ideas?

Cheers
Wesley
What load rating are the continentals ?
1992 red lle 2.2 subaru 1990 rhd caravelle 2.2 subaru 1986 california import vanagon

Wesley
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Re: Tyre pressure

Post by Wesley »

Many thanks for that Ralp85. Would make sense , cos as you say most weight is at the back.

Not sure what load carry the continentals have. Anyway I could find out?

Cheers again
Wesley

Ralf85
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Re: Tyre pressure

Post by Ralf85 »

It tells you on the side of the tyre.

multisi
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Re: Tyre pressure

Post by multisi »

The low profile figures sound like car tyres.
1992 red lle 2.2 subaru 1990 rhd caravelle 2.2 subaru 1986 california import vanagon

Wesley
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Re: Tyre pressure

Post by Wesley »

Just had a look the front tyres say : max inflation pressure 350kpa (51 psi)
Max load 615kg (1356 lbs)

The back tyres say : max inflation pressure 350kpa (51 psi)
Max load 630kg (1389 lbs)

Would you still recomend the psi pressure you said before? Max is 51 psi so is 48 pushing it or you think ok?

Once again thanks for your help- mainly use the van on moterway and have the kids in it to go camping - just want it to be as safe as possible.

Wesley

multisi
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Re: Tyre pressure

Post by multisi »

You have low load rated tyres - car tyres ! And too much pressure on the rears. If you say you want to be as safe as possible, you are going in the wrong direction.
1992 red lle 2.2 subaru 1990 rhd caravelle 2.2 subaru 1986 california import vanagon

Wesley
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Re: Tyre pressure

Post by Wesley »

Currently all four are set to 36psi so that should be ok no?

With the tyres I specified what would you say is the ideal psi to set them at?

Thanks
Wesley

Wesley
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Re: Tyre pressure

Post by Wesley »

Sorry forgot to add. Garage put these tyres on yesterday. I even questioned what tyres would be ideal due to size/weight of vehicle.

If these ones no good I will take them back- however what tyres wound I need? Would have hoped garage would have know what they are talking about but I guess things are not always as they should be!

Wesley
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Re: Tyre pressure

Post by Wesley »

Right , I have an update and hope someone can give me an answer?

Went back to garage originally they fitted the following:

Continental 205 /55 r16 91v on front

Continental 225 /50 r16 92w on rear

As mentioned it has been suggested that that these may not be enough for weight of van (especially fully loaded)

Garage has offered to change them for:

Hankook 205/55 r16 94 w on front

Hankook 225/50 r16 96w on rear

They are roughly the same price but my question is the continentals are premium and the Hankook are mid range (that can just take a heavier load)- which ones would be best?

Really appreciate some sound advice on this as have the family in the van lots on motorways and don't want to take silly risks with tyres that aren't up to the job.

Cheers
Wesley

Ralf85
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Re: Tyre pressure

Post by Ralf85 »

Your starting point is to ensure that you are buying commercial van tyres not car tyres. Then you can run them at the pressures needed for carrying 2 tons of van.

multisi
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Re: Tyre pressure

Post by multisi »

Hankook Dynapro Hp 225/65/16 104T about £80. Higher profile will make for a better ride.
1992 red lle 2.2 subaru 1990 rhd caravelle 2.2 subaru 1986 california import vanagon

Wesley
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Re: Tyre pressure

Post by Wesley »

Hi,

Thanks for the tips. I have now worked out where I have been going
Wrong. When I bought the van it had Porsche rims on it. This is why the tyres were car tyres. Seems obvious now having had the replies from everyone but at the time it didn't even enter my mind I would need higher load tyres.

I know the person I bought van from and they have run on these rims for the past 10 years they tell me, so maybe they were lucky or I am just being over cautious!

If I want the tyres you mentioned I'm going to have to get new wheels as well it looks like.

Thanks for all your help, always good to learn something new.

Ps anyone know how to fix a stuck boot lid? It locks and unlocks but won't pop open when button pushed in ?! Having a rubbish week with the van this week!

multisi
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Re: Tyre pressure

Post by multisi »

Why do you need to get new wheels ?
1992 red lle 2.2 subaru 1990 rhd caravelle 2.2 subaru 1986 california import vanagon

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