Auditor Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 My motorhome tyres need replacing, due to their age, although they still appear to be in good condition, with little sign of deteriation. My problem is, that I can't find a supplier, willing to promise that the new set will be brand new, manufactured this year. I would accept ones made last year, but no one, so far, would even guarantee that. With the safety implications, you would think it a reasonable request, but even the manufacturer says that any new tyres supplied, would still be ok, up to 5yrs after their manufactured date. What do others do? Do they take a chance on the age of their "new" tyres? Does anyone know of anyone that WILL supply brand new motorhome tyres? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agaric Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Look for somewhere that has a fast turnover of stock, ie where a motorhome dealer takes their vehicles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Agaric - 2017-05-22 1:05 PM Look for somewhere that has a fast turnover of stock, ie where a motorhome dealer takes their vehicles. That's worth a try - but the tyres may have been in stock in a warehouse somewhere else for some time. :-| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 It depends on what type of tyre the OP requires. CP Camping tyres tend to be low volume and therefore manufactured in batches throughout the year at various times. The first quarter of the year tended to be a popular time. Normal commercial van tyres have a larger market and don't seem to be affected so much by seasonal fluctuations. Camskill (based in Cumbria) seem to have a good reputation for delivering freshish tyres based on general forum feedback. I took a gamble and bought my "white van" tyres from Oponeo and they were 6 months old when delivered. I was led to believe that Oponeo source their tyres from a central distribution centre in the Netherlands and therefore, supposedly, should be fairly fresh. It's all a bit of a minefield. Suggest you email the online tyre sellers before placing an order and ask about the age of tyres from their available stock. Most will probably quote their T&C's with longish ages, up to 3 years, as I don't think most have a record of date of manufacture. You may find one who can deliver to your requirements, say 6 months or less. This assumes they are stored correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auditor Posted May 22, 2017 Author Share Posted May 22, 2017 I have tried all the major UK tyre suppliers, that I can think of, with negative results. No one seems interested, although the man at National Tyres, tried his best. The tyres that I require, are Michelin Agilis Camping tyres, 225/56 16R. My choice is based on the original Michelin XC Camping tyres lasting for 12 years, and I want the new set to last for 10yrs, baring accidents. From comments by other motorhomers, I believe that most other people are having "Old" tyres fitted, when they have them replaced. It's all down to pure chance, unless anyone knows differently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Auditor - 2017-05-22 12:52 PM.......................... but even the manufacturer says that any new tyres supplied, would still be ok, up to 5yrs after their manufactured date............................. I assume that would be Michelin? Try asking them again at what age they would consider a tyre sold as new and unused, to be too old to be fitted. Then ask them at what age the tyres should be replaced, assuming the tread depth remains legal, bearing in mind the frequently quoted advice that tyres should be changed when five years old, which may (subject to inspection) be extended to 7 years. If the difference between the two ages is less than 7 yeas, ask them how they can support both statements. You may then get a more helpful answer, or you may get them to reveal who has fresh stock. Bear in mind that ATS is owned by Michelin, so may be able to get fresh stock direct from Michelin's warehouse. But, bear in mind also that (as I have been advised) because of their lower volume demand, the Agilis Camping tyres are batch produced, so the best you will achieve is tyres dating from the last batch production date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJB Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 I change Michelins every 5 to 6 years and have always been within 6 months of manufacturer. A. From my local garage who deals with a major wholesaler. B. My local tyre specialist who deals with the same major wholesaler PS Michelins general comment is that tyres up to 10 years old are OK assuming condition etc.....they also now suggest that rear pressures should always be 80PSI....I stick to 55PSI as suggested by them some time ago! . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 My understanding is its only the tyre retailers who say change at 5 years. But then they are in business to sell tyres *-) The manufacturers say 10 - since their tyres are always better than their competitors *-) The law doesn't say any age at all. Just regular inspection. So thats what I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billggski Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 The Agilis camping is a totally different tyre. Mine are looking worn at less than 15,000 miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Auditor - 2017-05-22 3:23 PM I have tried all the major UK tyre suppliers, that I can think of, with negative results. No one seems interested, although the man at National Tyres, tried his best. The tyres that I require, are Michelin Agilis Camping tyres, 225/56 16R. My choice is based on the original Michelin XC Camping tyres lasting for 12 years, and I want the new set to last for 10yrs, baring accidents. From comments by other motorhomers, I believe that most other people are having "Old" tyres fitted, when they have them replaced. It's all down to pure chance, unless anyone knows differently. I assume you mean 225/65 R16 (a size commonly fitted to Mercedes Sprinters). I wanted a Michein “Agilis Camping” tyre for the spare-wheel I was fitting to my Rapido motorhome and, when I ordered the tyre from a local supplier, I specified that it should be no more than 6 months old. I did this in writing within my e-mall order, but when the tyre arrived it was over one year old. I can’t say this greatly concerned me, but (naturally) I complained and the supplier agreed to fit and balance the tyre free of charge. The risk with unused ‘old’ tyres is that they may not have been stored carefully. If you order from a local supplier and demand that the tyres be, say, under a year old, at least you have some hope of rejecting them if they turn out to be older. If you order on-line, this may prove more difficult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandy Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 I bought a set of Tyres for my car from a local supplier, one of which was seven years old. They maintained that the age of the tyre was not a problem, though they did (reluctantly) replace it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auditor Posted May 24, 2017 Author Share Posted May 24, 2017 Derek was quite right, I meant that my tyres were 225/65 R16 (Just a slip of my fingers, and brain) It is, incidentally, a Renault Master based motorhome. Anyway, thanks to all that have responded to my post. I have just delivered my wheels to a local Alloy wheel restorer, to have the wheels refurbished, and new Michelin Agilis Camping tyres fitted. They have given an undertaking that the new tyres will be of this years manufacture. The only problem, so far, is the metal high pressure valves. They haven't, apparently seen any, before. I am well aware that my requirements are unusual, in that I've owned the van for 12 yrs, now, and want my new tyres to last another 10 yrs, because I intend to keep it, if I live long enough. Obviously, I don't keep replacing vans every few years, and have motorhomed since 1980, with only 3 vans, in all that time. We only tend to average around 5000 miles per year, with well over 4 months spent touring, around mainland Europe and the UK. Just out of interest, I will post how things go with the new tyres. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George.. Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 Hi we use Fast-Fit a Norfolk tyre fitting group. They have twice fitted Michelin Agilis on our van, the first two tyres were dated two years old and I rejected them and two days later they got in a one year old pair which I accepted. The next year I had another pair fitted from same place in Great Yarmouth and they were dated eight weeks earlier. Don't accept any tyres more than one year old they can get them, it's obviously in their interest to use the older stock up. George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 Auditor ‘Camping-car’ tyres that are nowadays “CP”-marked (eg.- Michelin Agilis Camping 225/65 R16CP 112Q or Continental VancoCamper 225/65 R16CP 112R) tend to be fitted as original equipment to coachbuilt motorhomes based on Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer or Citroen Relay chassis. In such instances, the tyre-valves used are normally Schrader ‘clamp-in’ (‘metal’) type to handle the up-to-80psi inflation-pressure that is normally advised for ‘camping-car’ tyres. It would be unusual for a Renault Master-based motorhome to have ‘camping-car’ tyres as original equipment (OE) and, consequently, to have clamp-in tyre-valves as OE. I think a ‘commercial’ Renault Master would have had as OE the type of valve shown in the attached photo, which would have been more than adequate for the inflation-pressures advised for that vehicle. So does your motorhome already have clamp-in tyre-valves? Clamp-in tyre-valves come in two varieties, with either an O-ring or a stepped rubber-washer providing the valve-to-rim seal, and each type requires a different tightening torque. If the alloy-wheel restorer that will be fitting the Michelin tyres has never seen clamp-in valves before, this needs to be taken into account if replacement (or new) clamp-in valves are to be installed. Unless you are going to employ the high inflation-pressures that ‘camping-car’ tyres are designed to tolerate, there’s no overpowering reason to opt for clamp-in tyre-valves as suitable high-pressure snap-in valves should be adequate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auditor Posted May 25, 2017 Author Share Posted May 25, 2017 Derek Uzzell - 2017-05-25 8:15 AM Auditor ‘Camping-car’ tyres that are nowadays “CP”-marked (eg.- Michelin Agilis Camping 225/65 R16CP 112Q or Continental VancoCamper 225/65 R16CP 112R) tend to be fitted as original equipment to coachbuilt motorhomes based on Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer or Citroen Relay chassis. In such instances, the tyre-valves used are normally Schrader ‘clamp-in’ (‘metal’) type to handle the up-to-80psi inflation-pressure that is normally advised for ‘camping-car’ tyres. It would be unusual for a Renault Master-based motorhome to have ‘camping-car’ tyres as original equipment (OE) and, consequently, to have clamp-in tyre-valves as OE. I think a ‘commercial’ Renault Master would have had as OE the type of valve shown in the attached photo, which would have been more than adequate for the inflation-pressures advised for that vehicle. So does your motorhome already have clamp-in tyre-valves? Clamp-in tyre-valves come in two varieties, with either an O-ring or a stepped rubber-washer providing the valve-to-rim seal, and each type requires a different tightening torque. If the alloy-wheel restorer that will be fitting the Michelin tyres has never seen clamp-in valves before, this needs to be taken into account if replacement (or new) clamp-in valves are to be installed. Unless you are going to employ the high inflation-pressures that ‘camping-car’ tyres are designed to tolerate, there’s no overpowering reason to opt for clamp-in tyre-valves as suitable high-pressure snap-in valves should be adequate. My motorhome does, indeed, have metal clamp-in valves fitted, and the alloy wheels/camping tyres, were original equipment. Regarding tyre peressures, I want to keep my options open, so that If I decide to have it uprated, then I will be able to run with higher pressures, if required. It is 3500, at the moment. I believe that my tyres have lasted this long because I avoid running at the maximum permitted weight, whenever possible. Unlike most people, instead of uprating above 3500, I chose to reduce the weight, even removing the spare wheel and carrier etc. My tyres have all had "Ultraseal" injected, for the last 11 years. All I can claim, during that time, is that I haven't had any puntures. I am well aware of all the possible problems that could ensue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 Interesting - what make, model and year of motorhome have you got, please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auditor Posted May 25, 2017 Author Share Posted May 25, 2017 Derek Uzzell - 2017-05-25 9:28 AM Interesting - what make, model and year of motorhome have you got, please? It is a Knaus SunTi 650MF. I've had it from new, since Sept 2005, and I'm certainly NOT one of those people who think that German built motorhomes are better than those manufacured elsewhere. It's a myth! Can't fault the Renault base, though. Only real problem, that I had to have professional help with, was an intermittent Air Bag warning light. Turned out to be the rotary switch, behind the steering wheeel. Other than that, the base vehicle, hasn't had any work carried out by anyone, other than myself, and that include the original servicing, when it was under warranty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auditor Posted June 9, 2017 Author Share Posted June 9, 2017 Finally had new tyres fitted, after the alloys had been refurbished. I didn't have the tyres from the wheel refurbishers, as I indicated, in an earlier post, because they appologised, and said that the price they had quoted, was plus vat. This would have made them so expensive. Instead, I took a chance, and ordered them online, from Kwickfit. In the event, they bear the date 1417, so I am very pleased. The tyre fitter claimed that, when ordered online, they are usually brand new, and not old stock. Only remains for me to fit them to the motorhome, and have "Punturesafe" installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuartO Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 It's understandable that we motorhomers get a bit anal about tyres because we do operate them at the high end of their load capacity and, because we do relatively low miles, we also want to extract the very maximum number of years out of them. In reality tyres are nothing like a big share of our overall spend on motorhoming, so perhaps we should lighten up and be willing to change tyres at less that ten year frequency when necessary, instead of trying to turn the tyre supply world upside down to get freshly moulded tyres every time, just to squeeze an extra few months? Perhaps we should also be willing to take the trouble to put tyre covers on when our motorhomes are standing unused for weeks on end; I bought a set a couple of years ago with this resolve and they are still in the packets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallii Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Billggski - 2017-05-22 9:27 PM The Agilis camping is a totally different tyre. Mine are looking worn at less than 15,000 miles. I have to agree, my "Agilis" have not worn well, I am about to change my front tyres after about 16K, and will have a look for something else. However, the grip from the "Agilis" is very good, a trade off I suppose between a softer compound for grip and mileage. I think I will try the Continental Vanco Camper this time. H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.