Tyre pressures

[JNW]

Hiya

My high-top only has the original factory pre-conversion tyre pressures on a sticker. It says 3 at the front and 3.7 at the back (43/53 PSI).
My guess is that this isn't right for a fully converted camper with a GRP top, a bed, kitchen, watertank, cupboards, extra glass windows etc.
The Holdsworth manual says refer to the VW documentation for pressures.
I've got Michelin Agils tyres, so I'm confident about setting them high if necessary. Factory Carat alloys.

I want to get it right for the 1200 miles I'm hoping to cover in the next few weeks.

What do you reckon guys?

Julian

[nevill3]

Here's a quote from another thread....

OE Carat alloys, with 205/70 R14 95T tyres, and the rating on the sticker inside drivers door states 36PSi fronts, and 40PSi rears.

Just calculated yours from bar to psi

2.5 bar = 36.2PSi
3.0 bar = 43.5PSi

The thread is here

http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.p ... e#p7784169" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[California Dreamin]

43F / 53R sounds correct for 185 R 14C's (this is what is written on my label) 89 Westy California.
The pressures are much lower with the optional 205/70 R14 97's fitted to Carat OEM's....so with respect..ignore the previous postee's advice.

As for you original comment about your label being pre-conversion...remember the 'Transporter' was designed as a work horse builders van so those pressures would have taken into account the considerable loads builders generally carry around.

Martin

[JNW]

Thanks guys.

So 205s with lower pressures (and load rating - 97?) were for the Caravelle-type layout, with a presumed lower loading?

Julian

[California Dreamin]

No mate, not necessarily.
Carat alloys with 205/70 R14's 97's were also fitted to perhaps one of the heaviest T3's...the high top Westfalia Atlantic.
A load rating of 97 equals 730Kg, times this by 4 (your vehicle stands on 4 tyres lol) and you have a total load baring capacity of 2920Kg's. The maximum laden weight for a Westfalia Camper is around 2420Kg, so you see 97 rated tyres easily cope with the heaviest of T3's.
When we recommend ratings they aren't something we just pull out of thin air....VW's lowest rated 'original fitment' tyre was 97 and you can't argue with that.

Martin

[California Dreamin]

I will just add...that maximum axle load ratings are something like 1200kg front and 1300kg for the rears, so in theory , tyres with a load rating of 93 (650kg) would just do but this is not leaving any margins, basically on the tyres limits.
Best practice says go with factory original fitment specifications....as above post^^^^^^

Martin