Hi I was just wondering if anyone has ever fitted heavy duty 8 ply tyres to their bus?
They are normally used on vans which are carrying a lot of weight,so I don't know whether this will affect the ride or noise. Does any one have any thoughts on this? Cheers
Tyres
Moderators: User administrators, Moderators
- AdrianC
- Registered user
- Posts: 2975
- Joined: 29 Dec 2010, 21:57
- 80-90 Mem No: 9144
- Location: Living in Hay whilst the Sun pours down.
- Contact:
Re: Tyres
Umm, your van SHOULD have commercial-rated van tyres. Most of those will be 8PR - 8 ply. 185r14C (C for Commercial) was the original-fit size.Dougie88 wrote:Hi I was just wondering if anyone has ever fitted heavy duty 8 ply tyres to their bus?
They are normally used on vans which are carrying a lot of weight,so I don't know whether this will affect the ride or noise. Does any one have any thoughts on this? Cheers
A year and a half living in a Westy hightop... http://www.WhereverTheRoadGoes.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 2673
- Joined: 03 Apr 2007, 12:54
- 80-90 Mem No: 8386
- Location: Nottingham
Re: Tyres
Dougie88
Just in case Adrian hasn't been clear enough.....your vans Gross Weight will be something around 2400kg and although in practice the actual weight is more likely a tad under 2K, you still have to rate the tyres to that GVW.
To further complicate the issue, T25's have a different max axle weight front to rear (higher on the rear) so a minimum load rating of 97 is specified.
You can get away using non commercial tyres but they must be rated equal too or higher than 97. However, given a choice 8 ply commercial tyres are recommended...besides, you will find these higher load tyres are classed as XL (extra load or commercial...with more plies) anyway.
And if you really insist on ignoring these guidelines, your insurance company and the Police may be looking at them very closely if you are involved in an accident.
Martin
Just in case Adrian hasn't been clear enough.....your vans Gross Weight will be something around 2400kg and although in practice the actual weight is more likely a tad under 2K, you still have to rate the tyres to that GVW.
To further complicate the issue, T25's have a different max axle weight front to rear (higher on the rear) so a minimum load rating of 97 is specified.
You can get away using non commercial tyres but they must be rated equal too or higher than 97. However, given a choice 8 ply commercial tyres are recommended...besides, you will find these higher load tyres are classed as XL (extra load or commercial...with more plies) anyway.
And if you really insist on ignoring these guidelines, your insurance company and the Police may be looking at them very closely if you are involved in an accident.
Martin
1989 California 2.1MV
- bigherb
- Registered user
- Posts: 2581
- Joined: 27 Mar 2008, 13:50
- 80-90 Mem No: 5789
- Location: West Kent
Re: Tyres
Radial tyres don't actually have 8 plies, that was the old cross ply tyre load rating and still used as a cross reference for vehicles originally fitted with cross ply tyres, the newer load rating is used for radial tyres and as stated you need a minimun load rating of 97.
1982 Camper 1970 1500 Beetle Various Skoda's, Ariel Arrow
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 17
- Joined: 24 Jul 2014, 22:38
- 80-90 Mem No: 15396
- Location: North Wales
Re: Tyres
Thank you all for the information,I will be fitting the 8 ply tyres cheers.AdrianC wrote:Umm, your van SHOULD have commercial-rated van tyres. Most of those will be 8PR - 8 ply. 185r14C (C for Commercial) was the original-fit size.Dougie88 wrote:Hi I was just wondering if anyone has ever fitted heavy duty 8 ply tyres to their bus?
They are normally used on vans which are carrying a lot of weight,so I don't know whether this will affect the ride or noise. Does any one have any thoughts on this? Cheers

- kevtherev
- Registered user
- Posts: 18832
- Joined: 23 Oct 2005, 20:13
- 80-90 Mem No: 2264
- Location: Country estate Wolverhampton Actually
Re: Tyres
bigherb wrote:Radial tyres don't actually have 8 plies, that was the old cross ply tyre load rating and still used as a cross reference for vehicles originally fitted with cross ply tyres, the newer load rating is used for radial tyres and as stated you need a minimun load rating of 97.
Actually commercials do have 8 plies
2 inner butyl liner
2 plies of nylon fabric
2 plies of steel belt
2 plies of nylon belt
plus various strengthener plies...and a tread ply
A ply is one turn of material on the building drum on which they are constructed.

AGG 2.0L 8V. (Golf GTi MkIII)