Tyre rating for V8 Bowler

[100SRV]

Hello,
a conversation in the office today got me wondering about the tyres on my Bowler - at present they are "N" rated radial "Greenway Chacos", I believe that "N" is the rating for 87mph, the tyres are also "E" marked.

The car had it's V5 description amended from Range Rover to "Bowler Tomcat 100" by VOSA following an inspection before SVA became applicable. The MoT tester has never questioned the fitment but I'm worried what may happen if BiB stop me and give it a thorough going-over.

The question is - are these tyres suitable and legal for the vehicle bearing in mind that it is neither homologated nor type approved?

As ignorance is no defence any advice would be much appreciated.

100SRV

[biglepton]

Generally you are OK with fitting tyres with a lower speed rating than the capability of the vehicle, providing the speed rating is above the maximum speed limit for that country, ie 70mph here. The key phrase is that tyres are deemed suitable for the intended use of the vehicle, which yours are.

More important than the speed rating is the load index. Your Chacos have a speed rating of N (87mph) and a load rating of 108. You are more likely to be prosecuted for an incorrect load rating, than speed rating. 108 is 1000kg, so we assume an even load between the four tyres which means as long as the Bowler is below 4000kg GVW, you are legal, though in reality you should try to stay to 80% of load rating allowing you 3200kg for the Bowler, which I suspect is far more than it weighs fully loaded.

[100SRV]

Hi biglepton,
thanks for the reply, I did wonder whether the load rating would come into it somewhere - I suppose the N rating is the maximum speed at the tyre's maximum load. Each corner weighs 340kg or less so I'm well within the tyres rating.

Thanks again!

100SRV