One for the more mature Tyre guru's.

[Mogodon]

Simple question,

If I can get the correct size, would my caravan be more stable on cross-ply tyres with them being stiffer and less flexible.

[Greeners]

I doubt you'd get crossply tyres anywhere near the right size, and a good decent set of radials will far out perform cross ply tyres.

Bear also in mind that the cars type approval is on radial tyres so in the event of an accident / insurance claim, you might end up in the brown sticky stuff

[Les4048]

Hated cross ply tyres, followed every join on the tarred road

[steve-45]

Originally Posted by Greeners

Bear also in mind that the cars type approval is on radial tyres so in the event of an accident / insurance claim, you might end up in the brown sticky stuff

I thought the OP was asking about caravan tyres and not car tyres?

But don't van tyres have reinforced tyrewalls (for extra load carrying capability) which may possibly be better - but what do the caravan manufactures say ?

[Greeners]

Originally Posted by steve-45

I thought the OP was asking about caravan tyres and not car tyres?

But don't van tyres have reinforced tyrewalls (for extra load carrying capability) which may possibly be better - but what do the caravan manufactures say ?

I assumed as it was in the general section he was reffering to his car, but you;re probably right so I;ll stick it in the caravan section,

[rovertone]

If the van is on the correct spec radials and is unstable it suggests that there is something else amiss, either chassis/axle or loading/weight distribution.
Caravan tyres are/should be light commercial van tyres with 8 ply construction to take the extra load.
I would recommend sticking with the manufacturers spec, I would also recommend fitting tyron bands which, should you have a puncture on the move, will ensure that the tyre stays on the rim and keeps the van more stable and under control.

[Polly]

I wouldn't bank on caravan tyres being light commercial types, although of course they might be. However you should be very careful regarding tyre choice. On factor often forgotten is that although the caravan might be a similar weight to a car, that weight is often shared between only two wheels. That might lead you to believe you should use the light commercial tyre, but;
By design, caravan suspension is far simpler than a car, so that the tyre forms an important part of the suspension, so fitting a commercial tyre, where a normal car type is specified will damage the suspension.
So in other words, stick to the manufacturers recommended tyre size and load rating.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Mogodon]

I asked as I was following my friend with his van n the back and could see his van tyres flexing side to side as if under inflated actually making the van look quite unstable.

Checked his tyres and they were spot on inflation wise which made me wonder if the stiffer nature of cross plys would give better stability.

Thing I found with cross ply tyres when driving on them was there was no middle ground with them, they either gripped (very well) or they didn't which caught many a driver napping.

[HarryM1BYT]

Originally Posted by Mogodon

Thing I found with cross ply tyres when driving on them was there was no middle ground with them, they either gripped (very well) or they didn't which caught many a driver napping.

I have always found it the other way...

Radials give much better grip, but their loss of grip is rather sudden.

Cross ply tyres have a much more gradual loss of grip, give much more warning before they go.

[kc13661]

Originally Posted by Mogodon

I asked as I was following my friend with his van n the back and could see his van tyres flexing side to side as if under inflated actually making the van look quite unstable.

Checked his tyres and they were spot on inflation wise which made me wonder if the stiffer nature of cross plys would give better stability.

Thing I found with cross ply tyres when driving on them was there was no middle ground with them, they either gripped (very well) or they didn't which caught many a driver napping.

Other thing to check is the date on the side of the tyre, many people think just because the tread is good so is the rest of the tyre, Caravan tyres especially should be renewed, now I am not 100% certain on this but sure they should be replaced every 5 years, or earlier if damaged.

have a look at this:

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/media/1...-wheels-mo.pdf