Tyre load rating

[paradox]

I’ve a 1990 westfalia Atlantic that’s going to need a couple of tyres soon.
What load rating are t25 tyres supposed to be?

I’ve got 17 inch alloys and can’t run any smaller wheels as it’s got a big brake conversion fitted
My concern is if it’s possible to get the correct load rated tyres in a 17/50 tyre.

[clift_d]

The VW owner’s manual suggests tyres with a load rating of 97 or 99 for a rear wheel drive van. If you don’t have an owner’s manual then you can get a PDF of one from the westfaliat3 website here

[paradox]

The VW owner’s manual suggests tyres with a load rating of 97 or 99 for a rear wheel drive van. If you don’t have an owner’s manual then you can get a PDF of one from the westfaliat3 website here

Cheers Clift_d

[Jim San]

Here to state the obvious but rims should be correct load rating also.

[paradox]

So I’m searching for tyres to fit these alloys at a reasonable price

I’ve come across some for the front with 93 load rating but the ply is classed as extra load

For the rear I can get them in 99 load rating with the ply being classed as extra load

I take it those should be ok?

The tyres that are on it now are rated 93 on the front and 95 on the rear
So the rear will be an improvement from what’s currently fitted.

[T3_Rourke]

So I’m searching for tyres to fit these alloys at a reasonable price

I’ve come across some for the front with 93 load rating but the ply is classed as extra load

For the rear I can get them in 99 load rating with the ply being classed as extra load

I take it those should be ok?

The tyres that are on it now are rated 93 on the front and 95 on the rear
So the rear will be an improvement from what’s currently fitted.

Have you got different Wheel/Tyre size's front and rear?
 

[paradox]

So I’m searching for tyres to fit these alloys at a reasonable price

I’ve come across some for the front with 93 load rating but the ply is classed as extra load

For the rear I can get them in 99 load rating with the ply being classed as extra load

I take it those should be ok?

The tyres that are on it now are rated 93 on the front and 95 on the rear
So the rear will be an improvement from what’s currently fitted.

Have you got different Wheel/Tyre size's front and rear?
 

Annoyingly yes
There 205/50/17 on the front
245/45/17 on the back

I just want to get the van useable for now
Then down the line I want to put stock height suspension back on it,stock front brakes back on it
And change to possibly 15 inch steels with all terrain tyres.

[T3_Rourke]

The only thing I can think it to move to a 215/50 and you'll find a 95 rated and that should also be the same diameter as the 245/45, I'd imagine you have a 8.5J on the back and 7J on the front with them tyre sizes 

[paradox]

The only thing I can think it to move to a 215/50 and you'll find a 95 rated and that should also be the same diameter as the 245/45, I'd imagine you have a 8.5J on the back and 7J on the front with them tyre sizes 

Will changing to a 215 on the front cause it to catch anywhere?

There’s not much clearance as it is

[T3_Rourke]

The only thing I can think it to move to a 215/50 and you'll find a 95 rated and that should also be the same diameter as the 245/45, I'd imagine you have a 8.5J on the back and 7J on the front with them tyre sizes 

Will changing to a 215 on the front cause it to catch anywhere?

There’s not much clearance as it is

Looking at that I would personally probably just give it a go but there's risk to be taken, I picked some 14" 's up in standard fitment the other day in place of my 18" 's that were fitted for a similar issue of not finding tyres I was properly happy with for the weight I'll have in the van while touring 

[paradox]

What’s the difference in width between 205 and 215 is it ten mm?

[T3_Rourke]

Yes mate, 

215 is the width in mm / 50 is the aspect ratio % of that 215 so would be 107.5 / R17 is the rim size, 

So going from 205/50 to 215/50 on paper adds 5mm of hight to the van but 10mm in total diameter. But it wont change much on the mating face of the tyre to rim it will just "stretch" less

[paradox]

Putting a 5mm thick piece of wood on the edge of the rim leaves about 2-3 mm clearance
I think a 215 would most likely catch

[T3_Rourke]

It wont be getting any wider right at the rim it will be towards the top of the tyre, cant make the rim any wider by just changing the tyre it will always be mounted to the inside

To get a visual of what im talking about go on a website called Will they fit. Input your wheel sizes currently and then just change to 215 on the new side

[paradox]

It wont be getting any wider right at the rim it will be towards the top of the tyre, cant make the rim any wider by just changing the tyre it will always be mounted to the inside

To get a visual of what im talking about go on a website called Will they fit. Input your wheel sizes currently and then just change to 215 on the new side

I’ve had a look at the diagram on will they fit
And I’ve been out with 8mm worth of spacer between the widest part of my current tyre and the upper control arm and it jams in tight.


It may clear but there’s not going to be much clearance to allow for tyre deformation

I can’t get the exact same tyre in 215 for the front as I’ll be putting on the back
I can get the same brand but not the same model

So it looks like I’ll have to run with the 205 on the front after all.

Thanks for your help with this fella.