Van Tyres
Van Tyres
Van Tyres Halifax – Van and Commercial Tyres at Pellon Tyres
Van Tyres in Halifax for Yorkshire’s Working Vehicles
Here at Pellon Tyre & Autocentre in Halifax, van tyres have always been an important part of our everyday tyre business.
Halifax and the wider Calderdale area is full of vans. Builders, plumbers, electricians, delivery drivers, gardeners and small businesses all rely on their vans to earn a living.
We also look after several local businesses that operate small fleets of vans, including the ever-popular Ford Transit.
When one of these vans is off the road, it isn’t simply an inconvenience. For a small business owner it can mean lost working time and lost money.
That’s why choosing the correct van tyres and keeping them in good condition is so important.
Van Tyres Are Different From Ordinary Car Tyres
Something that isn’t always appreciated is that a van tyre has a much harder working life than the average car tyre.
A working van might spend its day carrying tools, machinery, building materials or parcels. It may also cover considerable motorway mileage before spending the next day making short journeys around Halifax.
Consequently, tyres fitted to commercial vehicles need to be suitable for the loads that they are expected to carry.
Many van tyre sizes carry a C marking, indicating a tyre intended for commercial vehicles. You will also see load indexes marked on the tyre.
These numbers matter.
The load rating tells us how much weight the tyre is designed to carry. The correct tyre specification should therefore always be used rather than simply fitting something because it happens to be the right physical size.
Van Tyres Have Changed Enormously Over the Years
Having spent most of my working life in the tyre trade, I can remember when van tyres were a much simpler affair.
Back in the day, many vans ran around on relatively small steel wheels with high-profile tyres.
Ford Transits, Bedford vans and the old British Leyland vans were everyday sights on Yorkshire roads.
Modern vans are a completely different animal.
Today’s Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Vito, Volkswagen Transporter and similar commercial vehicles are faster, more comfortable and considerably more sophisticated.
Many are capable of travelling all day at motorway speeds whilst carrying substantial loads.
Naturally, tyre technology has had to keep up.
Modern commercial tyres are designed with stronger constructions and appropriate load capacities to cope with the demands placed upon today’s vans.
Ford Transit Tyres – A Familiar Sight at Pellon
The Ford Transit deserves a special mention because it has been part of British working life for generations.
We’ve probably fitted thousands of Transit tyres during my years in the tyre trade.
Even today, Transit vans regularly come through our doors at Pellon Tyres.
Some belong to individual tradesmen and others belong to local businesses running several vehicles.
Not everybody wants the most expensive premium tyre available either.
For many working van owners, the important thing is finding a sensible tyre that offers the correct specification and good value for money.
That’s why we offer a choice of budget, mid-range and premium van tyres.
We can discuss the options with the customer and help them choose something appropriate for the van, its workload and their budget.
Halifax Roads Can Be Tough on Van Tyres
Anybody who drives around Halifax and Calderdale knows that our roads can give tyres a hard life.
We’ve got steep hills, tight bends, potholes and plenty of wet weather.
Then there are vans constantly stopping and starting while making deliveries or travelling between jobs.
A heavily loaded van travelling regularly around the hills of Halifax can place considerable demands on its tyres.
Tyre pressures are particularly important.
A van carrying tools and equipment may require different pressures from an empty vehicle, so drivers should always follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations for the load being carried.
Incorrect pressures can contribute to poor handling and irregular tyre wear.
Don’t Forget Your Van’s Load Rating
This is one area where professional advice can be particularly useful.
Two tyres may look almost identical and even carry the same size markings, yet have different load capabilities.
The load index shown on the tyre indicates the weight it has been designed to carry.
For commercial vehicles this is especially important.
Vans are designed to work and carry weight, so the tyres have to be up to the job.
At Pellon Tyres we can check the existing tyres and vehicle requirements and help make sure that the replacement tyres are suitable.
Checking Van Tyre Tread Depth
Because commercial vans can cover considerable mileage, their tyres should be checked regularly.
For cars and light vans in Britain, the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre tread and around the entire circumference.
However, we would always recommend keeping an eye on tyres well before they reach the legal minimum.
Yorkshire weather has a habit of changing quickly.
A dry morning in Halifax can turn into heavy rain by afternoon, and adequate tread is important for clearing water from underneath the tyre.
Look Out for Uneven Van Tyre Wear
Uneven tyre wear is another problem that we regularly see.
Sometimes one edge of a tyre can be badly worn whilst the rest of the tread still looks reasonable.
There can be several possible causes, including incorrect pressures, steering geometry problems or worn suspension components.
This is why it’s worth walking around your van regularly and actually looking at all four tyres.
If something doesn’t look right, bring the van in and let us have a look.
Catching a problem early can sometimes save the cost of prematurely ruining another tyre.
Wheel Alignment for Vans
Wheel alignment can be especially worthwhile on working vans.
Potholes and kerbs can affect alignment, and commercial vehicles often spend their lives climbing kerbs, negotiating building sites and squeezing into awkward delivery areas.
If the steering geometry is incorrect, tyres can wear surprisingly quickly.
At Pellon Tyre & Autocentre we can check wheel alignment and advise if adjustments are required.
After all, there isn’t much point fitting a nice new pair of van tyres only to have them wearing incorrectly because the alignment is out.
Van Puncture Repairs
A puncture doesn’t necessarily mean that the tyre has to be thrown away.
If the damage is in a repairable area and the tyre is otherwise safe and suitable, a professional puncture repair may be possible.
We always inspect the tyre properly before deciding whether it can be repaired.
Safety comes first.
If we don’t consider a tyre suitable for repair, we’ll explain why and recommend replacement.
Budget Van Tyres or Premium Van Tyres?
This is something we’re asked about regularly.
There isn’t one answer that suits everybody.
A van travelling tens of thousands of motorway miles every year may benefit from a different tyre choice from a local tradesman’s van covering relatively short distances around Halifax.
That’s why we offer different price levels.
Some customers prefer premium manufacturers, while others want a good-value commercial tyre that keeps the cost of running their business under control.
The important thing is fitting the correct specification of tyre for the vehicle.
We’ll happily talk through the choices without trying to sell you something you don’t need.
Supporting Halifax Businesses
One of the things I enjoy about running an independent garage is seeing the same local businesses returning year after year.
We don’t just see the owner once.
We see their vans come back for tyres, servicing, brakes and MOT tests, and over the years you get to know the people behind the businesses.
That’s very much how Halifax works.
Calderdale grew on industry and hard graft. The old mills may not dominate the town in the way they once did, but Halifax is still full of small businesses and tradespeople getting up every morning and going out to earn a living.
Their vans have simply become the modern-day workhorses.
Keeping those vans safely on the road is something we’re proud to be part of.
Van Tyres from Pellon Tyre & Autocentre Halifax
If your van tyres are wearing low, showing signs of damage or simply don’t look right, bring the vehicle to Pellon Tyre & Autocentre and let us have a look.
We supply and fit tyres for a wide range of light commercial vehicles and can help with:
- Van and commercial tyres
- Budget van tyres
- Premium van tyres
- Tyre pressure and condition checks
- Puncture repairs
- Wheel balancing
- Wheel alignment
- MOT testing
- Van servicing and repairs
We’ve been supplying and fitting tyres here in Halifax since 1989, and our approach remains much the same today.
Give people sensible advice, offer them a choice to suit their budget and never replace something that doesn’t need replacing.
For van tyres in Halifax and the surrounding Calderdale area, contact Pellon Tyre & Autocentre and we’ll be happy to help keep your van where it belongs — out working and earning its keep on the Yorkshire roads.