CPeachey Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 We are due for new tyres on our 05 Tribute. Currently they are 205/70 R15 Vanco's original fitment. Can I fit 215 or 225 width tyres? What difference would they make? I am looking at Vanco Camper or Agilis Camper tyres. (full set of 5) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1footinthegrave Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 Why don't you look at Falcons, fitted to our last panel van,same load rating, approx 2/3 rd of the cost, and a much quieter comfortable ride to boot, astonishingly so actually, not sure why you'd want wider tyres though ? more tread on the road equals more rolling resistance equals higher fuel consumption ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 12, 2013 Share Posted December 12, 2013 I don't think the Continental Vanco Camper and Michelin Agilis Camping 'camping-car' tyres you've mentioned are available in 205/70 R15 size, and - although both are available in 215/70 R15 size - I believe only the Michelin tyre can be obtained in 225/70 R15. A 2005 Trigano Tribute 550 is a pretty compact vehicle and, while I could appreciate that you might want to uprate the 205-width tyres to 215-width if (perhaps) you've found that you are operating the motorhome close to its present tyres' maximum load-carrying capacity (950kg per tyre), I'd find it harder to understand why you'd feel any need to go to a 225-width or to opt for specialised 'camping-car' tyres like Vanco Camper or Agilis Camping. You should have no difficulties going to 215/70 R15C as this was a common size for sub-3500kg Ducato-based motorhomes in your Tribute's era, but I'd be wary of going to 225-width as it wasn't a normal fit and might possibly result in clearance problems. If you chose to go to 215/70 R15C, a recent-ish comparative test by the German motorhome magazine Pro Mobil found that the Hankook "Vantra LT" RA18 tyre in that size provided very good performance, superior to both the Continental and Michelin 'camping-car' tyres. Hankook RA18 asking-prices vary and - rather oddly - the 205-width can be found at a much cheaper price than that of the 215-width. http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/hankook/ra18-vantra-lt/205-70-r15c-106r-402221 http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/hankook/ra18-vantra-lt/215-70-r15c-109s-402220 I assume 1foot is referring to the Falken brand and possibly the "R51" pattern. R51 seems to be available in 205/70 R15C or 225/70 R15C, but not in 215/70 R15C. http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-details/falken-r51-205-70-r15-106-104-r#46462693 As far as I'm aware independent comparative tests involving Falken R51 tyres have not been carried out. Based solely on the now-obligatory 'labelling' a R51 tyre in 205/70 R15C size would be inferior (particularly for 'wet grip') to the equivalent Hankook RA18. Whatever you choose, it would certainly pay to shop around price-wise, especially as you plan to buy a set of five. This earlier thread may be of interest. http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/215-70-15-or-225-70-15-/31852/#M381076 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1footinthegrave Posted December 12, 2013 Share Posted December 12, 2013 Yes Derek R51, I tend not to take a great deal of notice of test's or reviews, but I do tend to take notice of my wallet. ;-) But if I did these reviews would be good enough for me. " For vans and light commercial vehicles, the Falken R51 is the perfect choice, its available in 8 ply rating and features a rib pattern making it extremely durable to heavy loads. The Falken R51 is priced well in the market it’s a mid-range tyre that over shadows some of the leading brands when compared to in tests. Falken Tyres are best known for their Ultra High Performance radials, design and affordability. The tyres are made with the latest Japanese technology." (!) Mind you that could all be bulls**t, as I never believed that Omo added any brightness. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPeachey Posted December 12, 2013 Author Share Posted December 12, 2013 The reason for thinking of 215 width was because I noticed that 205 was not offered by Vanco camper & Agilis. With Derek's reply I will not go for 225. It's a big outlay whatever I buy so worth considering if any particular tyre would give better roadholding, fuel consumption or quieter. Current tyres are now nearly 9years old with no signs of age. (12000 miles) so I would expect the next lot to last a good few years. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 12, 2013 Share Posted December 12, 2013 1footinthegrave - 2013-12-12 9:04 AM "...The Falken R51 is priced well in the market it’s a mid-range tyre that over shadows some of the leading brands when compared to in tests.... Tests? What tests? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1footinthegrave Posted December 12, 2013 Share Posted December 12, 2013 Derek Uzzell - 2013-12-12 9:30 AM 1footinthegrave - 2013-12-12 9:04 AM "...The Falken R51 is priced well in the market it’s a mid-range tyre that over shadows some of the leading brands when compared to in tests.... Tests? What tests? I have no idea, just taken from a Tyre retailers website. ;-) perhaps they know, or maybe one of their tyre fitters kicked a few, then kicked a few more. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 12, 2013 Share Posted December 12, 2013 For the 205/70 R15C tyre size, the tyre labelling data provided by Hankook and by Falken are (for fuel consumption, wet grip and noise) RA18 = C/B/70dB and R51 = F/E/72dB, indicating that the RA18 should be significantly more fuel-efficient, provide significantly better braking in the wet and be significantly quieter than the R51. Even if one ignored the Pro Mobil report, if the price of both tyres were similar (as seems to be the case), the Falken product would be a controversial choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1footinthegrave Posted December 12, 2013 Share Posted December 12, 2013 Derek Uzzell - 2013-12-12 1:27 PM For the 205/70 R15C tyre size, the tyre labelling data provided by Hankook and by Falken are (for fuel consumption, wet grip and noise) RA18 = C/B/70dB and R51 = F/E/72dB, indicating that the RA18 should be significantly more fuel-efficient, provide significantly better braking in the wet and be significantly quieter than the R51. Even if one ignored the Pro Mobil report, if the price of both tyres were similar (as seems to be the case), the Falken product would be a controversial choice. My middle name is controversial :D but I do know they were black, round, and now on somebody else's van. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docted Posted December 12, 2013 Share Posted December 12, 2013 1footinthegrave - 2013-12-12 2:57 PM I do know they were black, round, and now on somebody else's van. ;-) Did they have a hole in the middle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonMac46 Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 I got 3,000 km on my Hankooks and am very happy with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 JonMac46 - 2013-12-13 5:00 AM I got 3,000 km on my Hankooks and am very happy with them. Can you confirm, please, that the Hankook tyres you chose to fit a few months back were LT Vantra RA18 pattern, and not the RA08 version? I would expect you to have chosen RA18s, but your comment on this thread http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Hankook-RA08-radials/32923/#M393775 (that mentions the earlier RA08 Hankook tyre) leaves room for doubt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonMac46 Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 Yes, RA18 M&S. Earlier post was due to sloppiness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 Thanks for the confirmation - a sound decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPeachey Posted December 24, 2013 Author Share Posted December 24, 2013 It seems the Hankook tyres would be the best choice. The closest to mine are... HANKOOK VANTRA LT RA18 M+S 205/65R15 102100T £105 fitted from ETyres There are 2 differences. Hankooks profile is 65 whereas mine are 70 and my speed rating is R not T. I don't see the increased speed rating a problem but would the slightly lower profile be a concern? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve928 Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 Are there not 3 differences? The load rating of the 205/70 casing would likely be 106 while the 205/65 is rated 102. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPeachey Posted December 24, 2013 Author Share Posted December 24, 2013 Quite right. I think the lower load rating should be OK. We don't carry anything extra that is heavy. The other option would be... RA18 Vantra LT Hankook RA 18 - 215/70 R15 C 109S TL I'm not sure these are available in the UK. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 CPeachey - 2013-12-24 10:24 AM Quite right. I think the lower load rating should be OK. We don't carry anything extra that is heavy. The other option would be... RA18 Vantra LT Hankook RA 18 - 215/70 R15 C 109S TL I'm not sure these are available in the UK. Chris Chris, Be very careful of fitting a lower load rated tyre as in the unlikely event of an accident your insurance could declare it an 'unsuitable' modification and declare your insurance invalid. I would only fit the same or higher load rated tyre than those originally fitted. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 I've just had a look at blackcircles and they show a dozen different tyres which meet your original specs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 CPeachey - 2013-12-24 10:24 AM Quite right. I think the lower load rating should be OK. We don't carry anything extra that is heavy. The other option would be... RA18 Vantra LT Hankook RA 18 - 215/70 R15 C 109S TL I'm not sure these are available in the UK. Chris The 2 'tyreleader' links I provided in my earlier posting of 12 December 2013 8:57 AM show that the Hankook RA18 pattern is available in the UK in 205/70 R15C and 215/70 R15C sizes. This is an alternative on-line stockist advertising both RA18 sizes http://tinyurl.com/pymqhbe http://tinyurl.com/pqcdofy As I said in the same posting, the asking-price of the 215-width RA18 is significantly more than that of the 205-width version. Fitting the 215-width tyre instead of the 205-width your motorhome currently uses would increase your motorhome's gearing by about 2%, but any fuel consumption improvement this might bring could well be offset by the wider tyre's increased rolling resistance (as 1foot mentioned in his response to your original inquiry). I don't believe the extra cost of a set of 215-width RA18s would be justified in terms of better roadholding or fuel consumption. There could be justification if you needed a tyre with a higher maximum load-carrying capability than the 205-width can offer, but you say you travel 'light'. A 205/65 RA18 has an inferior Load Index to a 205/70's and would also reduce your motorhome's present gearing by about 3%. On-line tyre supply websites are handy for checking prices, but you might well find that you can obtain as good (if not better) a deal for a full set of tyres from a tyre specialist local to you. Me, I'd obtain a set of Hankook Vantra LT RA18 205/70 R15C 106R tyres. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPeachey Posted December 24, 2013 Author Share Posted December 24, 2013 This is interesting.... I e-mailed Hancocks regarding the size I have at present. I was querying the labeling on their website. This is their reply... Your enquiry has been forwarded on to me from our European office. Concerning 205/70R15c 106/104R LT Vantra RA18 ,(label grade RR=C / WG=B / W2=70db) Unfortunately this tyre will not be available in the UK and there is no future plans to have it within the UK inventory. We are sorry that this may be of a disappointment to you, but we would like to thank you for your interest in our products and for contacting Hankook Tyre. Regards Chris Baxter Technical services Manager Hankook Tyre UK Ltd MyTyers.co.uk are showing stock of exactly that tyre ... Hankook Vantra LT RA18 205/70 R15C 106/104R 8PR Hankook Vantra LT RA18 205/70 R15C 106/104R 8PR Please note: We only supply the tyre. Even if a rim is shown in the photo, it is not included in the price. Hankook Hankook Vantra LT RA18 205/70 R15C 106/104R 8PR. Curios...How have they got stock of a tyre that is "not available in the UK"??? Chris :-S (?) :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 CPeachey - 2013-12-24 5:17 PM Curios...How have they got stock of a tyre that is "not available in the UK"??? Chris :-S (?) :-( From outside the UK! Many of these companies have head offices outside the UK. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPeachey Posted December 24, 2013 Author Share Posted December 24, 2013 Just checking customer review of "MyTyres". A couple of customers said their tyres were delivered from Germany. This would explain why no-one else listed them and Hancocks said they weren't available in the UK. (lol) ps mission accomplished then. Local tyre dealer quoted £103 + vat for the similar Hancooks. (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 It's not that unusual for a tyre company to decide to directly import to a particular country only a limited number of sizes from the complete range of a tyre pattern. This is another on-line tyre supplier (part of a Polish commercial group) that's advertising the RA18 in 205/70 R15C size http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-details/hankook-radial-ra-18-205-70-r15-106-104-r#46872844 In this instance, the 215/70 R15C RA18 is not being offered. http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre/hankook-radial-ra-18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linfield Posted December 27, 2013 Share Posted December 27, 2013 I notice that most of the reply to your post are from motorhome owners not van high tops, with a van conversion I would stick to the size and type fitted as original equip . My 58 plate symbol has now done 42000 miles on the first set of tyres and look like they will easily do another 10000 these vans are built as work horses for delivery drivers . motorhomes are built on a bare chasse with no major thought to weight distribution ect this why they say change tyres so often , So stick to what the maker spent time and money developing to give the best all round road holding and miles per gal . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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