Club 80-90 Forums

I am looking for a tyre recommendation for a standard T25 hightop camper. The size I have on the moment are 185R 14C 102/100N all the tyres are the same size but different brands. Any advice would be great.
Thanks

Lots out there....Michelin/Continental are probably the best but these Dunlop's offer a good price/performance compromise.

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Martin

Very happy with the Conti VanCos on ours. Much better than the off-brand (Maxxis then Matador) before.

Pirelli is my choice

Thanks for the help. I will let you know what I go with but I will have to save up a bit first. Shame quality always costs!

Make sure that whatever they are, they're commercial rather than car tyres. I ran on non-commercials (in a light Caravelle) for at least 6 years but it was virtually gutted inside and not much heavier than a people carrier. However, as well as not complying with manufacturers specs, car tyres are just not strong enough for the average camper and on hard cornering the sidewalls will be under much more much stress than in a relatively lightweight car. They will wear really fast on treads too and in a worst case scenario could fail on you.

Commercials are nowhere near as nice to drive on (harder compound), but they're reinforced, last longer and correct for a camper with weight in it - ie 8-ply tyres. Sometimes the tyre will just say 14C (15C in my case as i run 15" wheels) rather than 8 ply. I switched to 15" steelies as there are far more around in that size plus I wanted wheels that would take fatter tyres, but whatever you buy (new or part-worn), make sure they are up to the job and not just what will fit.

They needn't cost the earth though. Last set I got were part worns and cost £40 for all four (tenner each) with good tread - was in the right place at the right time. I generally look for my next set WAY before the ones I have are worn. You save a fortune that way. Otherwise you can easily be in the £200-£300 price bracket for four.

I use a local lorry tyre fitter when I have mine replaced as he spends ages balancing them for me and I trust his judgement. Lorry tyre fitters value their reputation and know a LOT about the stresses involved and what will work best. Better that than the Quick-boy hatchback loving brigade who just want you out the door. Just my take on it.

For the record, I run on RA08 Hankook tyres and they're fine even in the wet.

There's big difference between reinforced and 8 ply
reinforced is extra rubber
8 ply is 4 plies of rayon and 4 plies of rubber