Tyre Load Rating

[Robster100]

I am hoping to increase the loading on my van's rear axle and submitted paperwork to SVTECH.

What I got back was quite confusing and I have asked them to explain, however, they did say to get to a 3850Kg GVW I would need to fit air assist AND update my tyres to 112 load rating.

Part of why I am confused is that my van is ALREADY rated for 3850Kg, does not have air assist and is running on LR 109 15" tyres.

As my main need is to increase rear axle load, is it possible to buy 215/70R15 112 rated tyres, I cannot seem to find these anywhere!

I am hoping someone on here can help?

 

[funflair]

I think you will have to go to 225 70 15 to get the 112 rating, should be OK on the same rims but as your tyre place, the circumference will increase very slightly as well but that would not worry me.

I am guessing you are currently at 2000kg on the rear axle which is very close to max on the 109 load rated tyres.

 

[EuroTrotters]

I think you will have to go to 225 70 15 to get the 112 rating, should be OK on the same rims but as your tyre place, the circumference will increase very slightly as well but that would not worry me.

I am guessing you are currently at 2000kg on the rear axle which is very close to max on the 109 load rated tyres.

Correct, minimal change but you can get to 116 LI

Please ignore the offset in my calculation, its irrelevant as I don't know yours.
Just make sure the wheel size will accept 225. It should. but some manufacturers push the limit, Toyota in particular.

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[Hettie's Crew]

You do have to go to 225/70 15 to get the higher rating of 112, this is what we did for exactly the same reason. With air assist and the 225 tyres our rear Alko axle is now rated as 2240kg from the original 2000kg.
The side benefit is you get to run lower tyre pressures for an improved ride comfort.

 

[Robster100]

Hi

Thanks for the responses.

SVTECH just called me back and gave the same advice, move to 225's, I am on a Fiat Ducato chassis, I am guessing it will be simply a tyre swap, not a wheel swap but I will double check!

Robin

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[Hettie's Crew]

Same wheels, but we did check with the tyre fitters to be sure.

 

[Minxy]

I am hoping to increase the loading on my van's rear axle and submitted paperwork to SVTECH.

What I got back was quite confusing and I have asked them to explain, however, they did say to get to a 3850Kg GVW I would need to fit air assist AND update my tyres to 112 load rating.

Part of why I am confused is that my van is ALREADY rated for 3850Kg, does not have air assist and is running on LR 109 15" tyres.

As my main need is to increase rear axle load, is it possible to buy 215/70R15 112 rated tyres, I cannot seem to find these anywhere!

I am hoping someone on here can help?

So long as it's the full Fiat built chassis (ie not Alko adaptation) then you can get kits for the semi-air quite reasonably and do it yourself - SVTech will try to sell you their kit but check out what it is compared to purchasing similar elsewhere. Just to clarify, only changing the tyres themselves won't give you any extra capacity on the rear axle, you'll need to do both suspension and tyres.

 

[Robster100]

Ouch, this is getting more and more expensive! :-(

I would not dare to do anything mechanical to a motor vehicle!

Can anyone recommend a good solution and/or fitter in the hampshire area?

Base vehicle is a Fiat Ducato!

Robin

 

[Minxy]

Ouch, this is getting more and more expensive! :-(

I would not dare to do anything mechanical to a motor vehicle!

Can anyone recommend a good solution and/or fitter in the hampshire area?

Base vehicle is a Fiat Ducato!

Robin

Just to confirm - it isn't an Alko chassis at the rear end is it?

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Don’t man to labour the point but as Minxy Girl said are you sure of your chassis type. In post #5 you say you’re on a Ducato chassis but base vehicle, Fiat and chassis, Fiat Camper or ALKO can be different.
We have a FIAT based motorhome but with ALKO chassis.
The main difference can be the shock you get when quoted around £500 for the Camper and around £2000 for the ALKO.

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[Robster100]

I am 99% sure I am on a Fiat chassis, not ALKO.

is there a definitive way to find out?

 

[Davgt5]

I am 99% sure I am on a Fiat chassis, not ALKO.

is there a definitive way to find out?

taken from outdoorbits website-

'if you can see Leaf spring arrangement with a bump stop then you have a standard chassis, if you see a torsion bar type suspension then you have an Alko type chassis'

 

[TheBig1]

I am 99% sure I am on a Fiat chassis, not ALKO.

is there a definitive way to find out?

Look underneath, if what you see is painted white, it is Fiat. If it is silver metal, it is galvanised ALKO

Hampshire is a pretty big place to recommend a local garage. I am 100 metres into Dorset and Hampshire is on my doorstep, but say Bordon or Portsmouth, they are miles away

I use a local garage for big stuff and MOTs but a local mobile mechanic for easy stuff, which fitting air bags is

 

[Robster100]

Oh crap!!!

looked under van, looks like leaf springs to me, which is the good news, bad sis it looks like the drivers side bump stop is resting on the stop, passenger side is a good 1/2 or more above stop.

considering 2 gas bottles are sitting on the passenger side, if would have expected that side to be on stops if anything, how much does a new bloody shock absorber cost and fitting!

 

[DP+JAY]

Don't panic, those bump stops are classed as spring assisters, most vans are sat on them when loaded.
DP

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[Clipgate]

As a BTW shock absorbers do not effect the ride height, it's the springs or of course the load!
Before you even think of panic, go and get each axle weighed, then compare with max axle weights as displayed. Then make a plan

 

[funflair]

Oh crap!!!

looked under van, looks like leaf springs to me, which is the good news, bad sis it looks like the drivers side bump stop is resting on the stop, passenger side is a good 1/2 or more above stop.

considering 2 gas bottles are sitting on the passenger side, if would have expected that side to be on stops if anything, how much does a new bloody shock absorber cost and fitting!

Shock absorber has nothing to do with the ride height.

 

[EuroTrotters]

taken from outdoorbits website-

'if you can see Leaf spring arrangement with a bump stop then you have a standard chassis, if you see a torsion bar type suspension then you have an Alko type chassis'

Don’t be confused with an Alko chassis Extension.

Some motorhomes have a standard manufacturer chassis but an extension to it with “Alko” embossed on it .

 

[Emmit]

As an aside to the tyre dilemma.
Our Hobby has a rear axle gross of 2000kgs.
I noticed that the tyres on the back had a load rating in total of 2060kgs.
We regularly visit France where every village has an entry and exit point guarded by 'sleeping policemen' It occurred to me that the load imparted on coming down these sometimes severe drops would impart a load on those tyres well above their rating, so,
I increased the tyres to 225 from 215.

This increased the rating by about 200kgs, thereby making the tyres more able to fulfil their function.

However, the result is that, in increasing the width of the tyre without reducing the profile of the tyre, there has been a corresponding increase in the accuracy of the speedo. It is now almost 'bang on' instead of being pessimistic.

Back to France and their profligation of speed cameras. I have purchased for very little money, a digital miles/kms gauge (it sits on top of the steering wheel cover, immediately in front of the vans speedo. which can be adjusted for accuracy. When I go across the water, I put the device into kms and make the display 'optomistic' and avoid the dreaded fine through the post.

 

[Robster100]

Weigh ridge was first thing I did after buying van, should really have done it before though!

Fully fuelled and 120L water onboard, fully loaded apart from food and clothes:

Front axle - 1620Kg rating 1850Kg
Rear axle - 1860Kg rating 2000Kg

So front axle with driver, passenger and food is close but I can always drop the water!

Rear axle is closer and will shortly have Towbar and tow car on AFrame, but I can then move some of the load into the tow car!

Sound reasonable?

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