
Correct tyre pressures
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- dwt25
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Correct tyre pressures
Kind Regards
David W
Proud owner of 'Berty'
1981 2l air cooled, twin slider, Bus.
David W
Proud owner of 'Berty'
1981 2l air cooled, twin slider, Bus.
- Titus A Duxass
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Re: Correct tyre pressures
And my Joker pop-top tyre pressures are 39psi front and 48psi rear as recommended by VW!
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Re: Correct tyre pressures
This is where anyone running on car tyres could struggle. Some non-commercial tyres have a maximum pressure of 44 PSI, and thats before you even get into speed rating etc etc.
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Re: Correct tyre pressures
Anyone have any idea what the pressure should be for 205/70 R14 98T XL?
Currently have Semperits on an Atlantic high-top. I'm assuming the pressure noted on the sticker inside the door is for a transporter without high-top and shed loads of wood in it.
cheers,
Rob
Currently have Semperits on an Atlantic high-top. I'm assuming the pressure noted on the sticker inside the door is for a transporter without high-top and shed loads of wood in it.
cheers,
Rob
Westfalia Atlantic 1.6td 1990 High-top, sporting Brickwerks 2WD lift kit.
- ghost123uk
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Re: Correct tyre pressures
I run the VW Carat alloys which normally use 205/70/14 tyres. I fitted std height 205 tyres (205/85/14) to gain a slightly higher gearing (and it does). I don't know what normal Carat tyres should be inflated to, never mind the full height version. I just guessed at 38 front and 48 rear. Feels and looks about right 

Got a new van, but it's a 165bhp T4 [shock horror] Accurate LPG Station map here
Re: Correct tyre pressures
boiliebob wrote:Anyone have any idea what the pressure should be for 205/70 R14 98T XL?
Rob
If you can get the maximum tyre pressure and the maximum tyre load from the sidewalls of your tyres, and you know your maximum axle loads, then you can use the ETRTO's formula in this thread to get you close. I've used it on various cars and it always gets me close to the values recommended by the manufacturer.
The formula is:
Tyre pressure = Max tyre pressure x (max axle load/(2 x max tyre load))^1.25
Note that the axle loads are in the handbook - they quote 'Normal payload' axle loads of 1100kg front and 1300kg rear, and 'Higher payload' axle loads of 1200kg and 1400kg.
"I'm a man of means, by no means....King of the Road!"
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
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Re: Correct tyre pressures
It is confusing, especially if you've changed you van around, or swapped for different size wheels. My Caravelle Syncro now has a pop-top roof and 15in wheels, and tyre pressures are all a bit guess work.
1990 2.1 DJ Syncro Caravelle/Westfalia conversion RHD
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Re: Correct tyre pressures
That's a nice little formula thanks.
I've got 17" Borbets on mine (which I'm not a fan of) and never quite knew the correct psi until now
I've got 17" Borbets on mine (which I'm not a fan of) and never quite knew the correct psi until now

Re: Correct tyre pressures
Cheers for your replies Gents.
Working on a higher payload the results of calculations were:
ETRTO's:
Front with 100% optimal grip surface, 38.6psi, 90% optimal grip 44psi
Rear with 100% optimal grip surface, 46.8psi, 90% optimal grip 53.4psi
Using formula above:
Front, 44.8psi
Rear, 47.6psi
So which to use?
Are we going to have 100% optimal grip surface?
If i opt for the 90% figures, front calculations are nearly spot with each other, 44psi.
Rear's, as the max psi of the tyre is 51, i think I should opt for the 47.6 (48) psi option.
Any thoughts?
Working on a higher payload the results of calculations were:
ETRTO's:
Front with 100% optimal grip surface, 38.6psi, 90% optimal grip 44psi
Rear with 100% optimal grip surface, 46.8psi, 90% optimal grip 53.4psi
Using formula above:
Front, 44.8psi
Rear, 47.6psi
So which to use?
Are we going to have 100% optimal grip surface?
If i opt for the 90% figures, front calculations are nearly spot with each other, 44psi.
Rear's, as the max psi of the tyre is 51, i think I should opt for the 47.6 (48) psi option.
Any thoughts?
Westfalia Atlantic 1.6td 1990 High-top, sporting Brickwerks 2WD lift kit.
Re: Correct tyre pressures
boiliebob wrote: ETRTO's:
Front with 100% optimal grip surface, 38.6psi, 90% optimal grip 44psi
Rear with 100% optimal grip surface, 46.8psi, 90% optimal grip 53.4psi
Using formula above:
Front, 44.8psi
Rear, 47.6psi
So which to use?
That's odd - when I use the formula I get the same results as the ETRTO spreadsheet (the 100% results). In fact that formula is lifted straight from the spreadsheet. And if you want to check the results for a different contact patch, just divide the max axle load by the contact percentage before calculating the rest of the formula.
Is that the spreadsheet you used for your ETRTO figures? Do you want to share your working?
"I'm a man of means, by no means....King of the Road!"
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
Re: Correct tyre pressures
Hi.
Yes used the spreadsheet in your post. Rechecked 3 times and get same results as above. Also rechecked other results and still have same.
Workings are:
Front axle
750 x2 = 1500 max tyre load
1500/1200= 1.25
51 psi / 1.25 = 40.8
rear axle
750x2= 1500
1500 /1400= 1.07
51/ 1.07= 47.6
Cheers
Rob
Yes used the spreadsheet in your post. Rechecked 3 times and get same results as above. Also rechecked other results and still have same.
Workings are:
Front axle
750 x2 = 1500 max tyre load
1500/1200= 1.25
51 psi / 1.25 = 40.8
rear axle
750x2= 1500
1500 /1400= 1.07
51/ 1.07= 47.6
Cheers
Rob
Westfalia Atlantic 1.6td 1990 High-top, sporting Brickwerks 2WD lift kit.
Re: Correct tyre pressures
OK, starting from:
- Max Tyre Load = 750kg
- Max Tyre Pressure = 51psi
I get, for the front axle with a maximum load of 1200kg:
Tyre pressure = 51 * (1200/(2*750))^1.25
= 51 * (1200/1500)^1.25
= 51 * 0.8^1.25
= 51 * 0.7566
= 38.6psi
And for the rear axle, with a maximum load of 1400kg:
Tyre pressure = 51 * (1400/1500)^1.25
= 46.8psi
- Max Tyre Load = 750kg
- Max Tyre Pressure = 51psi
I get, for the front axle with a maximum load of 1200kg:
Tyre pressure = 51 * (1200/(2*750))^1.25
= 51 * (1200/1500)^1.25
= 51 * 0.8^1.25
= 51 * 0.7566
= 38.6psi
And for the rear axle, with a maximum load of 1400kg:
Tyre pressure = 51 * (1400/1500)^1.25
= 46.8psi
"I'm a man of means, by no means....King of the Road!"
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
Re: Correct tyre pressures
umm, seems like I've got my maths completely wrong
Thanks for you help, much appreciated!
Rob

Rob
Westfalia Atlantic 1.6td 1990 High-top, sporting Brickwerks 2WD lift kit.