Tyre Loading

[Grumps.]

Morning guys,

We have a van that currently has some Contivan Contact tyres on and quite frankly, they are terrifying in the wet, so looking at getting the all seasons Good year Cargos.

However, looking at tyre loading, these are rated at 109 which gives a load rating of 1030kg per tyre meaning a GVW of around 4000kg.

The van is only rated for 3000Kg fully laden, so is there any reason why i cant just go for standard 101 index tyres, which gives 825kg per tyre, which can support a GVW of 3300 kg?

In all honesty, it will never have anywhere near the max load capacity in it, so that isnt too much of a concern, but i dont want to upset the rider quality of handling by doing this.

Thanks all!

[DirktheDaring]

As an example -

My Transporter is a T32, GVW of 3200kg’s

1710kg + 1720kg, f+r axles (2x 855 and 2x 860)

Minimum tyre load rating of 103 on my van.

109’s ride like concrete.

[Kawasicki]

What does the tyre pressure label advise?

[Grumps.]

Thanks guys,

Plate says 104/109 H/T but I can’t find any all season tyres rated at 104

[stevieturbo]

Grumps. said:

Thanks guys,

Plate says 104/109 H/T but I can’t find any all season tyres rated at 104

Out of luck then. You cannot go lower than the sticker specifies

[Grumps.]

Yeah it does seem that way and is a bit of a pain in the ass.

I have now managed to find the axle weights and after calculating, the front would be 'ok', but the back would need the 104.

I have found some Michelin Agilis CC but the ratings aren't great, more expensive with no current offers so ill go with the 109 GY Vector 4season Cargos.

[DirktheDaring]

My van came with 17" Vectors on a 109 load rating, now I’m on 20" 103 and the ride is better, but still very much a van kid of ride.

If you don’t run it loaded you could probably drop tyre pressure down to 40ish, assuming standard you run 50psi?

[journeymanpro]

I was very happy with the agilis cc I had on my transporter.

[Grumps.]

Yes they are currently 55 on the rear, 52 on the front but the plate says 48 all round with a light load.

| might try that although i have had experience of vehicles becoming a bit bouncy when running at lower pressures!

[Grumps.]

Ok got the GoodYear Vector 4Season Cargos on and fk me they are noisy, even though they seem to be the quietest tyres available, although they are still the 109 rated.

Having said that, the grip has been fantastic in the wet, much more positive steering and less of a wooly feel, and do ride a bit better, and they were on offer!

I will run with these over the winter and look at some alternatives next year. I see GY also do 104 rated Cargo Vector 2 which is also an all season tyre (not sure of the difference between 4 seasons and all seasons?), and the tread doesn't look quite so aggressive so might give them a go at some point.