Tyre sizes.

[68c]

The Peugeot Boxer handbook supplied with my used 2001 Pilote Galaxy 270 states tyre size as 205/70 R15, the Pilote handbook states 215/70 R15.
The van has Michelin Agilis 205/70 R15 fitted at the moment.
I am considering upgrading to The Agilis Camping tyres which I feel are more suited.
So what size do I buy?

 

[pappajohn]

215/70 will be 7mm taller on the tyre wall so will make your speedo slightly slower due to the larger rolling radius and need to change down sooner on steep hills.
Other than that I can't see any reason not to change as long as the speed and load rating are the same or higher than 205/70.
You'll need all five of course so the spare will fit either axle.... Illegal to mix sizes on the same axle.

 

[Emmit]

It occurs to me, following on from 'Pappas' thread above, that, if you already have tyres a size down from the handbook, then your speedo must be very optimistic at the moment. ie reading 50mph (say) when actually 'doing' 45mph. Is that the case?

As he has said, increasing the size in width, without changing the profile size, ie in your case the '70' makes the speedo speed closer to reality.

In terms of legality, he is of course correct, but, in terms of practicality and on using the tyre to get you to a repairer, I can't see it being a hanging offence.
After all, umpteen vehicles these days are supplied with a 'skinny wheel' just to get them to the tyre shop.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

I would go with the Pilote size (215/70) as that is the size recommended after conversation to a motorhome if that’s what’s in the Pilote info.
Plus, it’s always better to have larger tyre due to the greater load index which will allow you to run lower, more comfortable tyre pressures, though this won’t apply if you do choose the naff, in my opinion, Michelin Campers.
We up sized from 215/70 to 225/70, increasing the diameter and it made a 1 to 2 mph difference, making it more accurate.

 

[68c]

Hi Hettie's Crew, Interesting you dislike the Michelin Camper tyres, I thought their main advantage is being able to run at higher pressures to reduce rolling resistance.
My old Swift Sundance just ran on 'budget' standard tyres. I had a small puncture on it, the tyre shop refused to repair it as the tyre was 14years old. On checking I found the Pilote tyres are all at least 10 years old.
That is the reason I want to change now while I still have a little of the money I budgeted for the new fan. I admit I do lean toward the larger size to give a safety margin on loading.
My one nagging doubt is the handbook, it is for the Galaxy with a picture of the van on the front cover, but does not state 270. As it is fairly generic in its content I worry it may have been picked up somewhere along the line as a replacement and that the tyre size is wrong. Otherwise do not understand why the smaller size is fitted. The service record does show a couple of 205 tyres were fitted in 2006when it was relatively new.

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[68c]

Continuing..... sorry, silly mistake I of course refer to the new van, not fan.

How do you correct/edit your own posts on this site?

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Interesting you dislike the Michelin Camper tyres, I thought their main advantage is being able to run at higher pressures to reduce rolling resistance.

Rolling resistance is about correct inflation and design rather than high inflation, except in bicycles maybe. There are many who swear by ’Camper’ tyres and just as many who don’t. I think the material they are made of is inferior, it’s much harder and therefore less flexible and grippy, also prone to cracking.
If you fit Michelin Campers you have to run them at the stupidly high pressures because they are designed to maintain that shape, running them at lower pressures appears to contribute to side wall cracking, they’re are not designed to flex much in the side wall. Before anyone starts saying they have stiffer side walls to take standing for long periods, it’s the pressure that does that, the wall is stiiff to take that pressure.
How can it be right that a three ton and a five or six ton motorhome run at the same pressure?
Id rather have good quality commercial rated tyres running at the correct pressures for the exact axle weights.
Just check with the tyre fitters if the 215/70 can be fitted to your size rim.
It isn’t much difference.

 

[68c]

Thank you Hettie's Crew,
You make a good argument, I have wondered if the stiffer sidewalls would also make it noiser and less smooth a ride.

Just noticed the 'edit' button at the bottom.

 

[Lenny HB]

I am considering upgrading to The Agilis Camping tyres which I feel are more suited.

I wouldn't awful tyres, noisy, hard ride, lousy grip & don't wear very well.

 

[SomeoneElse]

I wouldn't awful tyres, noisy, hard ride, lousy grip & don't wear very well.

Agreed, except the last bit. I have reduced the rear pressure from 80 to 70psi to get a bit better ride. After 6.5 years and 53000 miles there is still 4mm thread. The next tyres definitely won’t be Mich campers.

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[Lenny HB]

Agreed, except the last bit. I have reduced the rear pressure from 80 to 70psi to get a bit better ride. After 6.5 years and 53000 miles there is still 4mm thread. The next tyres definitely won’t be Mich campers.

My fronts were down to 4.5mm after 14,000 miles. It's the lack of grip thats really bad, can spin the wheels on dry tarmac, no chance on wet grass and they are M&S rated.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

This is what I would go with, when I changed I printed a page off like this in my size and went to my local independent tyre place and said can you do these at this price plus fitting?

Continental VanContact 4Season 215/70 R15C 109/107R 8PR @ mytyres.co.uk

Continental VanContact 4Season 215/70 R15C 109/107R 8PR Buy online, free shipping for orders of 2 or more tyres and quick deliveries from mytyres.co.uk - order comfortably online now!

www.mytyres.co.uk