Tyre Pressures

Ok, I now have my tyre pressures set, based on the tyre manufacturers recommendation, not Fiat/Swift-Bessacarr's excessive pressures.

Today, we loaded the mho with what we would carry for at least two weeks away. Clothing, fridge food, cupboard food, folding chairs, etc, and my photography gear (several Kgs worth)

Full tank of fuel, full tank of water, two full 6kg gas cylinders, and all the other 'bits & bob's', eg, toilet chemicals, and levelling ramps etc.

Me and the wife to remain in the vehicle (drivers seat, and front passenger seat) while being weighed.

Then off the weighbridge.

Plated weight; 3500kg

Actual weights:

Gross: 3140kg

Front Axle: 1380kg

Read axle: 1760kg

" ContiVanco Camper 225/75 R16 (CP*) 116 R tyres.

Manufacturer's load v tyre presssure

Front Axle: 1740kg - 3.0 bar/ 43.5 psi (1740kg is a low as the chart goes)

Rear Axle: (single fitment) 1840Kg - 37.5 bar/ 54.4 psi

With my fully loaded front axle weight of 1380kg, I have set my front tyres at 45psi

For the rear tyres, with my fully loaded axle weight of 1760kg, I have set the pressure at 60psi.

61.6 psi, would be a rear axle weigth 2035kg.

In both cases above the manufacture's recommended pressures, but a LONG way from Fiat/Swift-Besscarr's 80psi all round.

Physically , the tyres don't look any different in terms of inflation, but a big difference in ride comfort, and no more 'skittish' steering.

Even the rattles and creaks are reduced. 

Job done!!

N.B:  I should say that Continental Tyres customers service dept, were very helpful, and quick to respond to my e-mail.

Most motor caravan builders?quote the base vehicles weights from the plate on the door piller

Unfortunately, mine doesn't, not even the tyre pressure, for which it states "see handbook", and what does the handbook say for the tyre pressures?  80psi all round. 

As such, I guess there are a lot of mho owners driving around on unnecessarily over inflated tyres, and putting up with an uncomfoartble ride.

It took my max axle weights from the VIN Plate.

Sorry mean tyre pressures  on door piller,our Autocruise in the handbook it quoted tyre pressures for each model all well below  what was on base vehicle plate

I think the moral of the story is "be guided by the tyre manufacturer"

He knows his product better than the manufacturer of the vehicle they are fitted to.

Haven’t had time to read all the posts but having faced this problem the solution is very simple.

Firstly, the maximum pressure stamped on the Continental tyre is for USA market and not relevant to UK.

Secondly, go to a weighbridge fully loaded including driver and passenger and get both axle weights.

Thirdly, use the Continental charts to determine pressures.

Fourth, you run the risk of being below the setting levels of the tpr system and may get a continual warning. You can’t usually reset this yourself.

Lastly, motorhomes are vans really and will bump and rattle. You just have to get used to it.

Only people that can advise you are the tyre manufacturers.  Given the max axle weights front and rear .  Drop the a call and follow their recommendations .

it is a VERY useful exercise to know your weight and payload, but the diffence between that and full axle load will not make a great deal of difference when it comes to pressures.

rgds

Quote: "I'm inclined to drop them back to the tyre manufacture's specified limit (69psi) or just below." A common misunderstanding,the max inflation is printed on the sidewall as 5.5 Bar /80 psi.The 69psi refers to a sample weight,also printed on the sidewall.

After weighing the MH in 'holiday' mode (includes full water and fuel tanks, driver and passenger, dog and a 15kg months supply of dog food and a wardrobe full of clothes we'll probably never use) I went to the Continental Tyre pressure site and using the axle weights from the weighbridge set my tyres to 51 psi Front and 61 psi Rear.

This gives a much smoother ride for my Pilote over poor road surfaces and speed bumps, drives in a straight line with no noticeable deviation and the tyres are warm but not hot after a long journey.

They also seem to have little wear after 30,000 miles but may need changing as they get older, six years now, but have no noticeable cracks or scuff marks.

Setting them at the maximum pressure, usually 80 psi, when it is not necessary will only benefit those wishing to check the strength of their denture adhesive.

We have an 18 plate Peugeot based vehicle, same issue with tyre pressures, we have weighed and reduced pressures accordingly but have a constant yellow warning on the dashboard. Phoned a couple of Peugeot dealers but they say they can’t do anything, I have read that they can but won’t!!

so I have a high tec safety monitoring system which I can’t use unless I choose to rattle the hell out of the mo and my false teeth

🤬🤬