Guest ruth owens Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 We have a Benimar Eurotop St that is fitted with Michelin 215/75R 16C XC Camping tyres. We are in urgent need of a tyre and are having extreme difficulty in purchasing one in the UK - apparently tyre dealers are awaiting delivery from Michelin. Does anyone know where we can get hold of one asap? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Norma Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 I know this is of no help but they are like hen's teeth. There are many postings about these tyres in the archive. Michelin have been 'awaiting delivery' for the two years we tried. Coped with a (probably inadequate/illegal) tyre for a summer then had to change all 5 to another type! Every so often one pops up but that seems to be it. Unless someone has found the stone under which they are all hiding. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Don Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 I am not a tyre engineer but I was told by Michelin that Michelin Agilis 81 can be used instead of Camping tyre. It will take the same weight load but it will not handle overloading. Seeing as we all stay legal that should not be a problem! And they are more readily available. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Norma Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Yes Don, that's the route we went (couldn't remember the tyre spec) but don't you have to change all the tyres rather than just one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Derek Uzzell Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Ruth: you might try contacting telephoning Michelin (I believe the number is 01782 402000) as they may have a record of which main distributor had the last batch of these tyres. You never know your luck... In the May 2005 issue of "Le Monde du Camping-Car" there was a reader's letter headed "XC Camping - scarcity or disinterest?" This was from a French motorcaravanner who had found it impossible to obtain these tyres and, after a 2 months fruitless wait, was forced to have an alternative make of tyre fitted to his vehicle. He reckoned that Michelin just could not be bothered maintaining an adequate supply of what is essentially a small volume, specialised tyre-pattern. The magazine reported that Michelin had confirmed that production of the 215/75 R16C size of XC Camping was about to restart (!?!) and that, in recent months, demand had outstripped availability. Replacing XC Camping tyres with something else is complicated by the tyre's uniqueness - essentially it's a 10-ply-rated tyre marked as 8-ply-rated. If you can do as Norma did and replace all your tyres simultaneously there's little problem - for example, you could use Michelin Agilis 81 (8-ply) or Continental Vanco-10 (10-ply) depending on what sort of motorhome you own and/or whether or not you stay well within its permitted weight maxima. But replacing just one XC Camping tyre is trickier, particularly regarding what tyre pressures to employ. Searching the forum on "Michelin camping tyre alternatives" will retrieve my posting of 05/02/2005 and some valuable responses. I've come to loathe this tyre-pattern. My next 'van will almost certainly be fitted with the 215/75 R16C version (unless I'm extremely fortunate and Michelin has run out) and I'd dearly love to have something else. Funny thing is that Hobby makes a virtue of choosing XC Camping for their motorhomes. One man's meat I guess... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paul Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 If you try www.etyres.co.uk they are listing them as available now. When you get on home page click the Michelin logo under the picture, enter your details for sizes (I entered your size as shown in your first post) and it will give you a list for your requirements including the ones you are seeking. This is a good company, they come to your own house or other premises and fit to your requirements. One advantage is that once you have purchased from them all your puncture repairs after are free!!! I find them quite good and reasonable VFM considering not having to drive anywhere and at my convinience without being rushed in between other customers. Good luck Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Brian Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Ruth We had exactly the same problem although some dealears are able to locate one or two but at £150.00 or so each. We have gone for Toyo tyres of the same size, speed rating and most important, same load rating at £86.00 fitted and balanced. For your nearest dealer look at www.toyo.co.uk Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Don Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Further to Norma's comments, Michelin's inference was that you could put these tyres alongside Camping tyres, but I suggest you check with Michelin Technical first! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mike C Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 If you are going to use a different tyre type/tread it is safer to buy a pair and replace both tyres on the same axle. Remember also that the spare will then be the same as only two tyres and not all four. Your tyre retailer can advise on which tyres are the same size/rating/tread if you wish to mix tyres. The least worn tyres should always be put on the rear axle even for a Front Wheel Drive vehicle. Regards, Mike C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest David Powell Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Brian...Sounds like you are doing the sensible thing. I don't see how one tyre is worth £150, I only pay £20 more for a full set of tyres, valves, fitted, balance, the lot. Kumho. If they are good enough for buses, VW & F3 racing, they are good enough for my motor home too at that price, and always readily available. Not that I'm suggesting that Michelin are not well worth waiting for, but it's so much hassle and time wasting just for that little bit extra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rowan Lee Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 We needed to replace four Michelins on our van when we purchased it - it had been standing about for a while and the sidewalls looked a bit iffy. No chance of getting Michelins, ATS couldn't get Agila either and they are owned by Michelin I believe, but they offered us Pirelli Camping, same spec, and said there were only five in the country. So we grabbed four. Total cost £425. This is a very worrying situation. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mike Culver Posted June 4, 2005 Share Posted June 4, 2005 Luckily no need to think about new tyres just yet, but,our nearest 'Costco's'an Amercian style sell everything type of store, just off the A.41 near Watford , amongst other things, sell only Michelin tyres, 01 923 229248, might be worth trying, but you have to join the club, not expensive, hope it helps. #Be lucky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest les Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 I purchased a new tyre 3 weeks ago the same size as you need from my local ATS supplier in Bolton LANCS. The cost was £130 and they got it me in 24hrs.Hope this will be of help.Les Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PeteC Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 Just returned from the continent so only just reading the post We have used commercila tyres to the max load of our van for the last 15 - 20 years at the max speed limit on miles of motorway, with no problems As far as the camper tyres being able to be ovrloaded. It is illegal both in the UK and on the continent to overload the vehicle In the UK you will get points on your licence and eventually a fine. Both at home and abroad you can be made to unload to the maximum weight for the vehicle, before you are allowe dto travel on. Abroad you will have to pay the fine on the spot, failure to pay the fine can result in being placed in custody And dont think you can dodge it by being a visitor the EEC countries now have a central collecting agency which will chase you up at home, and up the costs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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