Tyres for 17" merc alloys

[serenitycamper]

Hey guys and gals,

I'm running 225/50/17 on my merc rims with a load rating of 97y which is max 750kg. Is this safe for a panel van with rock n roll bed and sink unit?

I'm worried after reading some of the posts on here but there doesnt appear to be a definitive answer, only that it should be 5 ply, mine are 2 ply.

Can you even get van tyres in those sizes?

Hopefully I can get to the bottom of this! Thanks.

[jamesc76]

dunno about being able to get tyres that size , but insurance firm have stopped pay out due to car tyres on a commercial vehicle!

[silverbullet]

97 is the correct rating for a Caravelle, I went for 215/50/17 up front and 255/45/17 at the back on my Porsche wheels but both XL rated to be on the safe side. The bus is a tin-top with 5 seats, camping box/buddy seat and fridge.

[g60steve]

VW fitted 97 load rated 205/70/14 tyres to Westfalias so don't panic as that load rating is more than the stated GVW weight for a T25 and a T25 Westfalia at that.....would VW have fitted them if they weren't adequate?!!!

Yes T25's/Westfalias etc never had 17" wheels fitted but likewise,heavy duty MPV tyres weren't available 20+ years ago either....30 years in the case of your van!

Oh and 205/70/14 97 load rated tyres weren't classed as " C" (Commercial) tyres either when VW fitted them.

Technology progresses....

[serenitycamper]

Thats brilliant, thank u do much guys Was beginning to worry. Getting a bit of stick from people on here who obviously dont understand tyres.
I thought I'd done it correctly!!

Thanks again!

[billybigspud]

I am glad I have seen some sense here. Just think of the pressures that go through a car like a CL63 AMG for instance. Heavy car and when under acceleration the forces on the tyres must be phenominal. I know they have a high speed rating but it must account for something.

[serenitycamper]

It's the combination of weight and speed rating that I find interesting. Obviously a big merc amg is gonna be approaching 1600kg combine that with cornering speeds and acceleration speeds and there's no way a T25 diesel transporter can approach the stresses they will handle.

I've played safe going for extra load on the rear and when I can afford it I'll change the fronts for the same.

Having said that there's never anything in the van so it's literally rolling shell and engine weight.