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Falken all weather and winter tyres

Quality Winter Tyres -Autocar Says that Winter Tyres Really Work for your safety in winter- Etyres

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Autocar extols virtues of Quality Winter Tyres

“I was running a long term BMW 1M at the time, and at BMW’s insistence the car was fitted with a set of

The Bridgestone Blizzak Quality Winter Tyres are a great choice.

Michelin Alpin winter tyres.

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Winter tyres

Of course, there has never been any doubt about Quality Winter Tyres . Significantly, including the fantastic job that they do when winter arrives. Including, most in the Northern hemisphere, no matter what country you live in.

It is always an advantage when great car magazines !

The likes of Autocar reinforce what us tyre experts have been saying for years. So. the reason that we tend to harp on about Quality Winter Tyres. Importantly, is the safety aspect of the product. These days the cars are getting much faster and powerful and we also have had the recent influx of SUV’s and crossover cars. These vehicles are next to useless when it comes to coping with the winter conditions of snow and ice. They are large and powerful and are absolutely useless in the snow without Quality Winter Tyres fitted.

Quality Winter Tyres are now an essential safety commodity

Significantly, to be used on our modern day vehicles. Winter tyres will even give you  significantly safety advantage when driving on the motorway on a stinking wet day. So must be considered before the winter sets in. We at Pellon Tyres in Halifax recommend a couple of makes that have been proven to us over the years. They are Nokian and Jinyu ! Although Jinyu are an economy brand. Importantly, we have tested these on our own vehicles over the past few years.

 

Of course winter is on its way yet again! So, I wonder what the 2020 winter will bring us. However it is important to keep you and your family safe and consider winter tyre if new tyres are required.

Falken all weather and winter tyres

Winter Tyres Work- Less Accidents when Cold Weather Tyres are fitted before winter arrives.

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Winter Tyres Work


Winter Tyres Work but this car struggled? Last winter saw snow like this at Sowerby near Halifax

Accident data strengthens Winter Tyres Work argument,

 

Snow and ice were the cause of more than 6,000 road accidents in Great Britain last year, according to statistics issued by the Department for Transport 

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Snowing scenes like this call for “Winters to be fitted ” 

Winter tyres have in the past three years helped millions of motorists to

make safer journeys and arrive home safely, remember Winter Tyres Work . We are now approaching the time, usually November time when you should fit your winter tyres, or if you do not have any then you should consider buying yourself a set.

Even if you can’t afford a set of four then it is it is still a better and safer proposition to fit a pair on your drive wheels. Out of all the thousands of customers that have had winter tyres fitted, I have never had a single complaint about the  performance, in fact most drivers will give them a raving revue.

This is one of the reasons why the fleet companies are fitting winters to their fleets? Winter Tyres Work . They know that it makes sense to fit them for the safety aspect and also they know that it will benefit the drivers, when they are out in snow and also wet weather, and when the fleets buy them you know they must be good as they will not waste a penny unless it is necessary.

Winter Tyres Work its a fact

We at Pellon Tyres here in Halifax West Yorkshire recommend that you should go for an economy winter tyre such as Jinhu winters if you are on a low budget, or an excellent mid-range tyre is the Nokian winters  and for the SUV or larger sedan type of cars you could look no further that choosing a leading make such as Michelin or Pirelli winters , they are all excellent products.As the article says there was 6000 road accidents here in the UK,due to snow and ice, according to the Department of Transport (DFT)

See on www.fleetnews.co.uk

types of tyres-Michelin nokian apollo general and bridgestone runflat tyres

Big Five Tyre Makers+Back in Front where they belong+Big tyremakers are regaining their grip

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Big Five Tyre Makers

Big Five Tyre Makers

There is no doubt that in my long presence in the tyre industry. Then the top five tyre companies have always been in contention. Hence, for the top spot.

Whether it be on numbers sold or quality then the top five manufacturers have kept in front. Therefore the likes of Michelin, Goodyear, Continental, Bridgestone and Pirelli.

One of the main reasons is because premium car manufacturers tend to stick to premium car tyres. Hence, for the original equipment tyres they choose.

Consequently,there has begun to be a wider variety of OE tyres chosen in the mass market car sector. Previously, most car manufacturers have stuck to the top five tyre manufacturers.

Big Five Tyre Makers could it change

As this has already started to change. manufacturers that were previously labelled as “mid range” tyres are now appearing on new car models. Especially, if the country of origin is the same. Indeed this is how the big five started out. With Michelin supplying the mass car markets in France. Including Citroen and Renault. Pirelli had a good foothold with supplying Fiat and Alfa Romeo cars.

Of course in Germany then the huge car makes of Mercedes and  BMW, not forgetting VW were supplied by the giant Continental conglomerate. Goodyear had a firm hold of the North American market, before going global. Japan cars were coming out as original equipment on famous car brands such as Toyota and Nissan.

In recent years the mid-range and budget tyre market has increased with world demand as the car industry has flourished. Including, the introduction of the new tyre labelling laws. This manifested itself with the shock that some of the budget brands had just as good a rating as the big 5. Causing some embarrassment to say the least. Going forward this could very well encourage mass market car manufacturers to look closer at the budget brand tyres. Especially, if they have similar good looking results on the new labels.

We at Pellon Tyres have noticed that consumers will take these labels into consideration when choosing tyres. In my opinion this could lead to the likelihood to see a change in the original equipment tyres. of course, that mass market car manufacturers may choose?

Car makers under pressure to bring down costs

Under constant pressure to bring costs down, car manufacturers may feel able to justify to consumers. That the economy brands will deliver the same performance as the more expensive mid-range. Not forgetting the premium brands. In my opinion though the top five companies also lead the way in tyre technology. As a result, they are always looking at innovative ways of improving their tyre products,

A great example of this is the tremendous effort that Pirelli have put in to the F1 racing scene. This involvement has given great confidence to the general public  when buying Pirelli tyres.

Consequently, there is actually much more to a tyre’s performance than just wet braking. Including rolling resistance and external noise, but it is often first impressions that count. Especially when people are trying to save money. Of course, the fact that surveys have so far shown that many drivers don’t even know about the tyre label. Although this is improving in recent times.

To summarize, I think that the tyre buying public will support the better products that the big five can offer. Including the growing mass SUV market. Some of the tyre sizes are over 20 inch and require great skills to manufacture tyres that are quite whilst giving great performances on faster models such as the BMW’s and Jaguars.

Michelin Quality Pays

Michelin Tyres Development-Set their Targets High as far back as the Thirties

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 It is no surprise to the older drivers amongst us that Michelin Tyres Development has always been at the forefront of tyre design 

Ever since I started work as a junior tyre fitter all those years ago. So, I have marveled at the skill and professional work. That Michelin Tyres Development  have put into their products. Even going back before my time ! French tyre makers were at the top of tyre development.Subsequently, all the other tyre companies were playing catch-up.

Enter the first steel belted radial that started it all off for Michelin tyres.

This was to be the tyre that changed their history. Including the great American tyre makers of the time. Of course, this new tyre from Michelin tyres was to be a far cry from the cross ply. Significantly, made by most other European tyre companies . Including, the Bias-belted tyres that were been developed in the USA.

The new Michelin Tyres Development was to be known as the Michelin”X”. Consequently, first appearing in 1949 (a year after I was born). This tyre would revolutionize the tyre industry ! With a product that would last longer and prove better car handling. Especially, for the type of suspension that was used on European cars.

This tyre was to be fitted as original equipment to Lancia and Citroen cars and also to the Mercedes 190 SL models.

It took a good ten years before the other tyre makers started to catch Michelin Tyres Development up, all trying to copy the steel belted “X” tyre.

Compared to the cross-ply tyre the radial gave many advantages. They  gave a much better mileage and road holding, ( I must admit that when I was in my early tyre fitting days. I can remember drivers complaining about Michelin  being bad in wet weather ?). This also gave added bonus of lower fuel consumption, a great

bonus for some of those old gas guzzling cars.

This is also the same time that imported cars were coming into the UK cars such as the Citroen 2 CV and Renault Dauphins.

More reading…The Dauphine took over from the 4 CV in 1956, but not as a replacement. The name dauphine (heiress) was highly significant. Release was a major event on the motoring scene, and followed up by a successful career on French and export markets.  

Dauphine played its successor’s role to the full, boasting all the latest features of the epoch, such as adjustable seats, heating, and an automatic gearbox. The finish was very smart, with a red and black steering wheel and matching seats. The dashboard layout was uncluttered, and the interior roomy.  

Dauphine was a four-seater, with rear bench and two separate seats at the front. In January 1957, the US motoring weekly The Motor crowned it the “prettiest little four-seater in the world”. Sure, it was beautiful, elegant and shapely, totally in keeping with spirit of the 1960s.”…http://www.renault.com/en/vehicules/hier/pages/renault-dauphine.aspx

The Dauphin did not do too well in the “Cold Damp British climate”

So, soon had a bad reputation for bad rust. But it did come out on Michelin tyres, and I will never forget. Of course, the first time I had to remove one of these products  from the rim. The tyre just fell off the wheel it was so easy to do. A big improvement on the struggle we had when fitting Dunlops . In those days we only had a hand held tyre bead breaker and some tyre levers, balancing was carried out on a small “bubble” wheel  balancer which I still believe never really worked.

To conclude Michelin Tyres Development have never looked back and in the early days. Because of their better cornering they were used in the early motor-sport cars with great success.

Michelin Quality Pays

Michelin Quality Pays

Michelin Quality Pays

There is no doubt in my mind that, over the many years of being in the tyre industry, Michelin has the best reputation for quality and reliability. Michelin is one of the best-known and most respected tyre brands in the world. The company has been in business for over 100 years and has a long history of producing high-quality tyres for a wide range of vehicles.

I can honestly say that in all those years, I have never seen a genuine Michelin faulty tyre. Michelin has played a significant role in the development of the tyre industry and the advancement of tyre technology from the early days of the automobile to today’s modern tyre market.

Michelins History

The history of Michelin began in 1888. Of course, when the company was founded by brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand, France. The company began by producing bicycle tyres. However, they quickly expanded into the automotive market. In 1891, the company developed the first removable pneumatic tyre. Importantly, this revolutionised the tyre industry and made it possible for cars to travel at faster speeds.

throughout the early 20th century. Michelin continued to innovate and develop new tyre technologies. In 1946, the company introduced the radial tyre. which had a stronger and more flexible sidewall and offered improved fuel efficiency and a longer tread life. This innovation quickly became the industry standard and was widely adopted by other tyre manufacturers.

Michelin became well-known for the excellent mileage that their car tyres could achieve. Other tyre companies could just watch and try to follow. The secret was in the steel chords that were part of the radial tyre mix. These were patented by Michelin. making it very difficult for other tyre companies to copy.

The result for some tyre companies was a mess. when the steel chords were broken, say, by a puncture. The steel belts would rust and cause all sorts of problems. Michelin coated their steel belts with a copper coating. So, the steel is protected, and a nail or screw that goes through the steel belt won’t let water in and cause problems.

Moving quickly on

In the decades that followed, Michelin continued to push the boundaries of tyre technology. The company was one of the first to make run-flat tyres, which let a car keep going even if one of its tyres gets a hole. They also made tyres that can fix themselves and have sensors that keep track of the pressure and wear.

Today, Michelin is known for producing high-performance tyres that offer superior grip, handling, and overall driving experience. The quality and performance of Michelin tyres are demonstrated by the fact that Porsche, Ferrari, and BMW all use them on their high-performance vehicles.

Michelin ruled supreme when it came to innovation, recently developing the Michelin CrossClimate, a summer tyre with winter capability.

Michelin is also a major manufacturer of commercial vehicle tyres such as trucks and buses. The company has developed tyres that are specifically designed to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, which is important in today’s world where there is a growing concern about environmental impact.

Michelin and the environment

In addition to producing high-quality tyres, Michelin is also committed to sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of its operations. The company is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and has put money into projects to use renewable energy and recycle.

Finally, Michelin is a tyre brand that has made significant contributions to the growth of the tyre industry and the advancement of tyre technology. From the invention of the automobile to the modern tyre market. As I have said earlier in this post, Michelin has been at the forefront of innovation and has consistently produced high-quality tyres that offer superior performance, durability, and safety. Michelin Quality Pays

aquaplaning car

Bald Tyres-and Rain Soaked Roads = AQUAPLANING

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Bald Tyres

Bald Tyres-Change your tyres at 3 mm to avoid aquaplaning

As we all know, then this has been one of the wettest days of the year here in the UK. I say this because when I was driving along the M62 motorway I noticed that many parts of the motorway were flooded and had large areas of standing water. On all the carriageways. This meant one thing to me “AQUAPLANING”.

Unfortunately, we know in the tyre industry. That many motorists are putting off buying new replacement tyres. All our sales figures are down. So the mixture of bald tyres on these very wet roads is a disaster waiting to happen. As I am writing this blog some motorists will be experiencing aquaplaning when driving along the motorway at speed with no tread left on their tyres, as I say this is a disaster waithttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/tyre-wear/ing to happen and it will happen, “mark my word”

What is aquaplaning on Bald Tyres ?

Of course, aquaplaning is a word that became synonymous with a Goodyear Tyres advert in the 1970s. Now becoming a very important word. Because of our changing climate and faster roads with increasing traffic numbers. Aquaplaning, means that your wheel loses contact with road surface. In affect, due to a thin layer of water between the tyre and the road surface.

The driver loses control of his car very often causing an accident. Certainly, a good tyre with more than 3 mm of remaining tread. Of course, will push the water away as the car drives through the water at speed.  Giving good grip and safer driving  conditions. All the leading  manufacturers design their tyres with aquaplaning (Driving in Wet Weather) as one of the main aspects of design.

Michelin  have even developed a system called “the anti-surf system” to enable their products to give maximum grip when going through areas of static water on the roads, this system is built into the Michelin Pilot sports 3. This tyre has also got added shoulder design to help push the water away and help delay the onset of aquaplaning.

Conti Eco Contact 5

Continental Tyres Winners- A Popular Choice for many motorists

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Continental Tyres Winners

6 Reasons to buy Continental tyres

  1. Quality: Continental tyres are known for their high quality and durability. They are engineered to provide excellent traction, handling, and performance in a variety of driving conditions.
  2. Safety: Continental tyres are designed with safety in mind. They have been tested extensively and have received top ratings from independent organizations such as Consumer Reports and the Tyre Rack.
  3. Comfort: Continental tyres are designed to provide a smooth, comfortable ride. They are engineered to minimize road noise and vibrations, which can make driving more enjoyable.
  4. Fuel efficiency: Continental tyres are designed to be fuel efficient, which can help save you money on gas.
  5. Selection: Continental offers a wide range of tyre types and sizes to choose from, so you can find the perfect tyres for your vehicle.
  6. Warranty: Continental offers a variety of tyre warranties, including a 30-day test drive and a mileage warranty, to ensure that you get the best value for your money. Importantly these warranties do not apply to the United Kingdom tyre market. Individual tyre retailers offer their own warranty systems.

Continental Tyres Winners; Many motorists decide that they would like to fit Continental tyres on to their vehicles.

Many motorists decide that they would like to fit Continental tyres on to their vehicles. These tyres are a popular choice for those who live in the wetter areas of the UK. This is because this is just one of the many good points that we bestow on the brand of tyre made by Continental that is fitted to their vehicles, as it has been proven to perform well in these weather conditions.

A large number of accidents have resulted in personal injury. That is what happens when the roads are extremely wet and slick. You’ll also find that road accidents are twice as likely to happen. Of course, on wet roads as well. including another important factor ! Not to mention that the majority of these vehicles will be running on bald tyres.

because of these accidents. Drivers tend to go for tyres that will keep them as safe as possible. especially during the bad weather. So, helping them to minimise the risk of being involved in an accident It’s so important to make sure that you’re taking extra care. especially when driving in bad conditions. finding that many people on the roads are driving. Consequently, without the correct tyres fitted to their vehicle.

Most people tend to think that the reason why driving in wet conditions

So, this causes accidents. because of the spray and the loss of visibility. The main danger, of course, is the risk of aquaplaning (Continental tyres are excellent wet weather tyres). The cause of aquaplaning is a layer of water that forms between the tyre and the road, which then reduces your tyre’s grip and means that contact is lost with the road. The car could then go out of control, causing an accident.

The way that Continental Tyres  have been designed Of course, she makes sure that they perform to their best ability. Most importantly, when the weather outside is very wet, The purpose of tyres is to disperse as much water away from the road as possible . So,  by using centre drainage channels and having many water dispersing “sipes,” they will successfully increase the grip on the wet road. Aquaplaning is minimal and significantly reduced when using this brand.

It’s still worth remembering, though, that your Continental tyres must be in good condition with a good tread area, a bald tyre, whatever the make, will be dangerous on all road conditions.

Do not forget that the UK is traditionally a very wet country and also treats road safety as very important, and although Continentals  are an excellent brand, any new tyre will be a thousand times better in all driving conditions than a “bald” tyre. It is most important at all times of the year to have your tyres checked at regular intervals and always invest in a good make of tyres such as Continental tyres.

 

Michelin Quality Pays

Michelin Sports Tyres-Pilot Sports 3 Tyres another great tyre from Michelin

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Michelin Sports Tyres

6 Reasons to fit the Michelin Pilot Sports 3 tyres to your car

  1. Improved handling and grip: The Michelin Pilot Sport 3 is a high-performance tire that has been designed to offer excellent handling and grip, even in wet and dry conditions.
  2. Enhanced stability: The tyre has a stiffer sidewall and a more rigid tread pattern, which helps to improve stability and reduce the risk of hydroplaning.
  3. Longer tyre life: The tire has been engineered with a durable tread compound that helps to extend its lifespan, making it a cost-effective choice for drivers.
  4. Quiet and comfortable ride: The tyre has a specially designed tread pattern and an advanced tread compound that helps to reduce road noise and vibration, providing a more comfortable ride.
  5. Excellent wet and dry performance: The tyre has been designed with large water evacuation channels and tread blocks that help to improve traction in wet conditions, while the asymmetrical tread pattern helps to provide excellent grip in dry conditions.
  6. Wide range of sizes available: The Michelin Pilot Sport 3 is available in a wide range of sizes, making it suitable for a variety of vehicles and driving needs.

Michelin Sports Tyres; New pilot sports three tyres will become another winner from Michelin tyres

as a Michelin Sports Tyres retailer. As a result, for the last 40 years. Therefore, I have always admired the tyre products that Michelin tyres have produced. Michelin Sports Tyres have, in my opinion, been at the forefront. As a result, car tyre technology and tyre innovation.

as the general public will be aware. Michelin tyres have never been famous for selling cheap car tyres. In fact, they are often the most expensive. however, in my opinion. For this reason, you have to pay for a top quality product. Michelin tyres are a top product.

If its cheap tyres that you are after. Thus, you won’t get Michelin tyres. So, when it comes to cheap car tyres. Then you will be looking at other brands. Hence, not Michelin.

Michelin Sports Tyres, therefore, have devoted hours of time and money to their commitment to motorsport. As a result, they have applied all of their knowledge to developing better and better car tyres. Michelin tyres have always been the company to beat by their competitors, which is why they have kept their prices higher than the other top tyre manufacturers.

 New pilot 3 

This latest tyre from Michelin is no exception. The all-new Pilot 3 comes with a new “anti-surf system,” which gives optimum tyre grip in all wet conditions, including deep standing water, the type of conditions that you may get when heavy rain has flooded the road due to a blocked drain. The Pilot 3 just cuts straight through without any deviation in the driving; as you know, when this happens, the car tends to pull towards the kerb, but not the new Michelin Sport 3.

This new tyre also comes with a new rubber compound, which gives fuel savings and higher mileage while maintaining its excellent wet grip capabilities, as stated above. Michelin Sports Tyres is committed to lowering the CO2 emissions as low as possible on all its tyre products, and this will be shown by putting the “GREEN X” marking on the sports 3 tyres. This emblem will demonstrate that Michelin Sports Tyres’ newest tyre products, including the new Sports 3 tyre, are designed to reduce fuel consumption.

Michelin Quality Pays

Airless Tweel Wheel Tyre-Michelin Tyres Invent Airless “Tweel Tyre”,Now used on Plant vehicles.

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Airless Tweel Wheel Tyre

Airless Tweel Wheel Tyre

For as long as we can remember tyres of all shapes and sizes have always to filled with air-filled rubber tubing. This is to put it to its simplest terms. As a result, the latest tyre designs are a far cry from the old cycle tyres.  Mr. Michelin first made these in France well over 100 years ago.

Michelin looks for models for the future

as a result, almost all the leading tyre companies are looking for the concept tyre designs for future urban cars and Michelin tyres are no exception. The first idea started to come out of the Michelin Laboratories in about 2005. The new concept was to become the “Tweel” a simple cross between the tyre and the wheel, this is where the name comes from, the “T” from the tyre and the Airless Tweel Wheel Tyre.

The Airless Tweel Wheel Tyre looks like a giant bicycle wheel, probably a futuristic version of the original solid bicycle wheel that Michelin worked on over 100 years ago. The tweel has a solid hub, with spokes and an outer rim. Materials that are used, will be manufactured, using a polyurethane type substance, which is a hard material and light in weight. The tyre tread is stretch fitted onto the spokes in a rubber band similar to the tyres mounted on fork trucks. This construction looks very solid yet flexible. These have the spokes absorbing all the shocks, just like air would do in a tyre, but having the advantage of “not having punctures”.

Airless Tweel Wheel Tyre

In addition, Michelin, has been testing different cars with the tweel fitted. Furthermore, this  includes the Audi with good handling results. They admit though that they are still in the early stages of development. I think it is good to try other materials to try out to replace rubber products. A large amount of oil, is used for making tyres? and we are running out of oil ?.

Please click on the link bellow to read more about the TWEEL from MICHELIN TYRES

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/tweel-airless-tire.htm

caravan and motorhome batteries

Check Your caravan Tyres-This includes Motorhome tyres- before your journey

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Check Your caravan Tyres

Check Your CARAVAN TYRES

Tyre experts recommend that owners of any trailed vehicles should remove the complete wheel or wheels .Then take them to their favorite garage or auto centre. Then have them checked by a professional member of the team. It is important that the wheels  are given a thorough inspection, this will ensure the safest possible outcome. So Check Your CARAVAN and MOTORHOME TYRES . The most common thing found on caravan tyres is sidewall cracking. This usually only comes to light when the tyre is removed. We can flex the sidewall with the tyre removed from the wheel, and this will show the extent of the cracking. This problem is due to the affect of ultra-violet light acting on the carbon black. This is in the make up of the tyre when the caravan is parked, and is more common on Old Michelin tyres.     

This information also applies to motor-homes.

The wheels will be checked for corrosion. Then the tyres will be removed from the wheels and checked for internal cuts and damage. This is most important as unseen damage can become a nightmare scenario. Especially, when going down a motorway at sixty mile per hour and losing complete control due to tyre failure.

The tyre dealer will then Check Your vehicles tyres regularly, the outside of the for damage to the tread area and the sidewalls for cuts and cracks. Also important is to check the age of the tyre, this can be easily done by an expert fitter. Tyres do become out of date after six years and are affected by aging in the sidewalls.

Check Your CARAVAN TYRES As stated above cracks start to form around the rim area due to the caravan wheels been stood in the Sun for long hours. Especially, during the Summer months. And eventually the carbon black, that is used in the manufacture of the caravan  tyres, starts to break down. Small but deep cracks start to form around the rim area. This will eventually join up to create a very dangerous hazard. Indeed this is one of the most common cause for tyre blowouts on caravans and trailers. Any caravan tyres with cracks and cuts should be scrapped and replaced with a new tyre. Finally if everything is OK the pressures and tyre valves should be checked to the correct loading for your vehicle and trailer.

Another important point is to have the vehicle loading checked on your caravan tyres,

to make sure that the wheel set up conforms to your caravan or trailers recommended weight carrying capacity. Some of the larger heavier vehicle require more heavy duty tyres to carry the extra loading, your tyre dealer will advise you on the correct fitments by advising you fit either re-enforced or larger ply rated ones.
Check Your CARAVAN TYRES pressures, which should always be checked and adjusted when the pressures are cold before every journey. If in doubt replace with new and correct  caravan tyres.

2020 Update

At the present time then the caravan/motorhome market has hit the roof. Henceforth, so has the tyre market for these types of vehicle. So, it is even more important to fit the correct tyres on these vehicles. of course the main consideration is the weight that these vehicles will carry! Especially when loaded up ready for the holidays.

Most drivers of these vehicles are responsible and do buy the correct tyres. Indeed tyre companies now make special tyres for these vehicles. Michelin tyres are a good example. Hence offering the Michelin Agilis Camping tyre range.

Heres a great Email that a kind customer about this subject-

Dear Mr. Roberts

I recently came across a blog which appears to be headed by you.  The content was of great interest to me. So, for a large number of years, have had a 1988 Ford Transit Mk III AutoSleeper motorhome. Which, I had bought it to try and improve on the lack of guts of an earlier Mk II Transit and to avoid the types of construction which led to continual water leaks! I therefore pulled this Mk III Transit to pieces, using hands far more competent than myself, and fitted a 2.9 EFi V6 Ford engine with all ancillaries plus heavy duty clutch and gearbox. Importantly, I then fitted a sub-frame with front axle, rear axle, running gear and anti roll bars etc.  derived from a later heavy duty Transit and added adjustable dampers.

I needed to do quite a lot of other modifications to get the vehicle the way I wanted it. I thus have a wonderful high performance motorhome which, due to the massive increase in weight low down, it has a centre of gravity which should be below floor level or very near.  Thus, a very stable motorhome to drive at high speed to and from Ireland and on winding roads between times. In particular, I had researched tyres for the vehicle which has the 15” 6 stud wheels off the later Transit,  I remind with a single wheel rear axle, not double.  I looked at bullion vans and similar on the same set up and found that Michelin Agilis was the choice. I therefore fitted a set of Michelin Agilis 81’s, as they were at that time.

They were made in France.

I enquired of Technical Dept. at Michelin of the pressures I should run at and gave the weighbridge weights for my vehicle fully laden.  Particularly emphasizing that it was single rear wheel axle set up.  They assured me, particularly the rear tyres, should run at 42psi. So,  I questioned this but assurance was given again. Needless to say, with that pressure in the rear tyres, they looked as thought they had a puncture and would be unsafe to drive on!  The bullion vans were running 62psi minimum on the rear and I therefore put similar pressure in my rear tyres to put the matter right.  This achieved transformation. I therefore enjoyed my family trips to the West of Ireland and back many times and found the journeys comparatively relaxing compared with the trips in the previous Transit.

An MOT inspector commented that the vehicle was a delight to drive and asserted that it felt more like a high performance car than a motorhome.  He further added that most people merely stuffed a more powerful engine into a vehicle and did little more, but I had created a completely new vehicle by altering the specification so that everything gelled together to create something that  might have come out of the factory. I only had two problems with the tyres:  the first not really with the tyre, was that I suffered a burst tyre valve (fortunately when the vehicle was stationary).  I did write to the motoring press.  They seemed to treat me as a crank and were unwilling to make the public aware of the dangers.

 I fitted steel valves and solved the problem.

I noted in the motoring press, after about 3 years, an increasing number of letters. Advising motorhome owners who had gone down the motorway on their side or roof through a blowout. That they should fit steel valves when running high pressure!

The other problem I had, on a trip via Galloway:  I woke up one morning on campsite. So, to find that one rear tyre appeared very soft.  I went to the local tyre distributor! And estimated that I would receive my pension book before they got to attend to me!  I therefore put some air in the tyre and monitored it.  It held pressure perfectly.  When I got home, however, the mechanic who helps me. Indicated that one rear tyre had been cut deeply in the groove of the tread (almost as though with a Stanley knife).  He agreed with me however that it appeared to be tyre failure rather than sabotage.  I merely fitted a replacement to match the others.

Shortly afterwards, the tread was getting low on two of the tyres. I was advised to fit a later Michelin Agilis (Green X) ! Which I think was the early camping tyre, country of origin unknown.  A pair of these  were fitted to the rear. It was noticeable that the tyres seemed to have more of a balloon effect. Especially, in the side walls ! Also that they had no kerbing blocks in the side walls which possibly made the side walls more flexible.

I lost the precision straight line stability of the steering but worse found that the vehicle suffered from dreadful tramlining on the inside lane of motorways which I put down to the mix of tyres. There was no undue wear in the steering or suspension, the weight had been maintained as normal, as also the tyre pressures.

The vehicle then came out of use for a few years due to various family bereavements etc.

 Firstly, I am now in need of getting the vehicle back in trim and propose to replace all tyres. My inclination is to consider fitting a set of latest Michelin Agilis 3 which appear to be very similar in design to my original tyres and have side walls which will be the nearest match from a behavioral point of view.

Secondly, I am wary of the Michelin Agilis camping tyres referred to above, just in case they perpetuate the problem mentioned above, but also in view of the fact that motorhome owners (when I read their forums) seem to have had many problems with these particular tyres. I have always been a very safety conscious person and I am not prepared to take any risks which, for a vehicle like mine, means that I consider the tyres the most important part of the vehicle. I annex an image of the vehicle from which you will that it has a close coupled chassis design which has a large overhang at the rear.

The revised plating shown on the attached and the weighbridge weights where the vehicle was fully laden are shown on this scribbled note attached.  The actual travelling weights should normally be slightly less. The vehicle is capable of 112mph but is fitted with a governor on the back of the gearbox to limit the speed to approximately 89mph. So, I have previously been told, however, that the first statistic is the one that governs the tyre spec.

I hope you do not find this letter too long.

I could supply a lot more information, if needed, and hope that you will be able to give me some feedback of your views as to the direction in which I should go.  You might be interested to know. That I have regularly seen people with front wheel drive motorhomes. Being towed off grass campsites (weight in the back, drive on the front).  On one occasion in very wet weather, I awoke in the morning to find my wheel rims level with the turf.  I started and warmed the engine thoroughly then, despite leaving some horrific ruts for quite a long distance. I crawled the vehicle out without spinning a wheel!

The only downside to the vehicle is the petrol consumption!

Yours sincerely,

Mark Fitzgerald-Hart

ORNHAMS HOLDINGS

Ornhams Hall – Boroughbridge – York – YO51 9JH