What size to go for for a full size spare?

Etienne & Katie · Post by **Etienne & Katie** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:12 pm

Hi All,

The question is in the topic.
What size am i best going for for a full size spare?

missfixit70 · Post by **missfixit70** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:15 pm

15" steel is what most people go for, but as long as the rolling diameter is the same size as the tyres fitted, it shouldn't matter. I guess if you've got alloys, it's an idea to carry a set of wheel nuts for a steel wheel ( must get around to getting some) or using an old alloy as a spare.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:16 pm

It depends on what size wheels and tyres you've got fitted to your Bongo - tell us that and we can answer your question accurately

Etienne & Katie · Post by **Etienne & Katie** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:01 pm

195 70 r15 front 215 70 r15 rear on my SGL5

stilldesperate · Post by **stilldesperate** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:14 pm

195 70 r15 front 215 70 r15 rear on my SGL5

Those are the sizes you should go for as a spare. Either will do.

(The two different sizes are only a couple of % different in diameter,
it's generally acknowledged that up to 2.5% difference is acceptable).

SD

Etienne & Katie · Post by **Etienne & Katie** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:18 pm

I havent checked, but will both those widths fit underneath?

stilldesperate · Post by **stilldesperate** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:23 pm

Yep, no problem. I've got 16" wheels, with a 16" spare underneath, and it fits OK.

I have a couple of steels spare, unfortunately I'm not near you....

SD

karena · Post by **karena** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:46 am

what size are the spares we,ve been looking to buy a spare to replace our space saver - and we are near you -not sure what size our wheels are though -need to check later.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 12:36 pm

Etienne & Katie wrote:195 70 r15 front 215 70 r15 rear on my SGL5

Those tyres are 4.3% different in size and, I believe, may damage your viscous coupling

The standard size rear tyre is 215 /65 r15, which is only a 1% difference.

Mr Halibut · Post by **Mr Halibut** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 3:02 pm

Etienne & Katie wrote:195 70 r15 front 215 70 r15 rear on my SGL5

I have the same set-up with a full size spare that is the same size as the rear wheels, when I had an MOT the tester added it as aconcern that if I had a punture on the front and fitted this tyre it would be unsafe!

stilldesperate · Post by **stilldesperate** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 3:55 pm

francophile1947 wrote:
Etienne & Katie wrote:195 70 r15 front 215 70 r15 rear on my SGL5
Those tyres are 4.3% different in size and, I believe, may damage your viscous coupling The standard size rear tyre is 215 /65 r15, which is only a 1% difference.

Apologies, I skim-read the sizes, and saw 215/65 - teach me not to pay attention!

Are you sure they're 215/70's on the rear, Etienne and Katy?

SD

PS Karena, PM sent

Etienne & Katie · Post by **Etienne & Katie** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 11:14 am

definitely 215/70 on the rear. is this going to cause a problem?? i dont really want to replace two tyres that are in good nick!!

stilldesperate · Post by **stilldesperate** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 11:35 am

Etienne & Katie wrote:definitely 215/70 on the rear. is this going to cause a problem?? i dont really want to replace two tyres that are in good nick!!

If you look at

http://www.kouki.co.uk/utilities/visual ... calculator

It shows, as John pointed out earlier, that there's 4.3% difference in tyre size front axle to back axle. John says that 2.5% is the recommended max recommended difference, he has consistently given good advice on the forum, and what he says agrees with another site

http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html

The problem, much simplified, is that, with four wheel drive, all the wheels are connected together. The rear wheels, being 4% bigger, are doing one revolution on the road, whilst the (smaller) front wheels are having to turn one and a bit (104.3%) times. As they are connected, this causes stress in the system, which can lead to failure of (say) the differential.

I understand when you say you don't want the expense of replacing good tyres, (After all, I'm a Yorkshireman

), however a new diff will cost a lot more

Why don't you look out for two steel wheels (215/65 x 15") here on the forum, and on fleabay, £15 -£20 with reasonable tyres should be fair.

Hope this helps,

SD

stilldesperate · Post by **stilldesperate** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 11:44 am

Etienne & Katie wrote:Hi All,

The question is in the topic.
What size am i best going for for a full size spare?

PM sent

scanner · Post by **scanner** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 11:55 am

I agree 215/70 is the wrong size and could be storing up much more costly problems than fitting 2 correctly sized tyres.

Did you have them fitted? or did you buy it like that?

I would be tempted to have the spare the same WIDTH as the front tyres so as to avoid any steering imbalance - a difference in tyre width on the rear where the wheels are just "trailing" is (IMHO) less likely to unbalance the handling.

The problem may be finding a 195 width tyre that has the correct load rating for use on the rear axle.

What size to go for for a full size spare?

What size to go for for a full size spare?

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