TYRES AND BLOWOUTS

[missfixit70]

is this the pedantry corner! clearly the "tyre rating" (usually a single letter depicting max speed rating) and the "width" (in mm) are different and not to be confused.

I think most would prefer width over speed anyway.

Weren't we talking about load rating?

Exactly Pedantry - damn right when it comes to getting facts wrong with tyres
Load rating( two numbers ie 96) & speed rating (letter) are what is important & what we have been discussing, obviously size is important to get right, but by buying a say a 195/70 R15 tyre doesn't mean you'll automatically get the right load & speed rating.

[richlizard]

Ok, time to re-hijack my original thread if I may.

Just to make it clear, I still have my little bike wheel on the bongo until I get the answer from you helpful lot on what to do. I really don't want to keep blowing out every time I go any great distance, especially if it's on the way to meet up with you lot some time!

I took a picture of the above to show you all but I guess you all know what it looks like anyway.

First of all, to clear it up it was the left rear tyre that blew last year and has been replaced. This was the original tyre that was no doubt shipped across the seas from Japan before the local conversion took place. It was the right rear that blew last Sunday so was of course the other Japanese imported one. Reading some responses, this seems no surprise for them to blow.

I am more than happy to splash out for whatever it takes to give me the best chance of fending off a blowout in future. It ain't fun. But I don't know if that means bigger tyres, bigger wheels (I hear mention of 15" and 17" etc) or what.

So here are my details.

First of all, here is a picture of my conversion. I have no idea if a conversion makes the whole thing heavier than the set of seats that would have been there originally but my guess is yes?



Now my tyres.
The front original ones that came with the bongo are both 195/70 R15 92H so from what I have read here, pretty skinny, not great for weight (load or mass or whatever) but no problem for speed?

The tyre that blew up Sunday is 215/65 R15 96S so better for load than the front and still ok for speed?

The one that replaced last year's blowout is 215/65 R15 96H which just seems to be better than the original for speed.

Just to point out that my wife of course told me the original blowout was down to speed (as she would ) so I have since been banned from going over 65mph and now see it probably had nothing to do with it?

Rating plates.

I would guess that these mean very little now that the bongo has been converted but I will show them anyway in case someone asks.




Feel free to lambast me for being useless with vehicles. I am quite good with computers and poker though!

Right, what shall I do? Any more info needed?

Thanks again for all future advice (and lambasts - is that even a word?).

Richard

[missfixit70]

If they are the original Jap tyres, probably they're too old, I think tyres have a safe use by date of 7 years, so I'd get them all changed, load rating seems ok, they may have been a bit under pressure? Have the front tyres got any signs of cracking?
All the info you need to get new tyres is on this thread, It's normal for the fronts to be slightly skinnier than the rears, but a lot of people replace with the same size all round, which is what I'd suggest you do, I'd go for 215/65 R15 with a load & speed rating the same as or higher than 96S (H is ok if you look at the tyre fact sheet or the link earlier in the thread to Blackcircles, I think from memory it stands for Heavy duty rather than being in alphabetical order - just to cause even more confusion )
Whatever you do, do not drive another mile on the wheelbarrow tyre, even from new it is only rated at 50mph for a maximum of 50 miles, by now it will be at least 7 years old & deadly. You've already cheated death twice - I know you're a poker player - but don't push it Get hold of a full size spare 15" wheel with a new tyre on it same size & tyre rating - in fact I'd put the tyre that you replaced last year as your spare & put new tyres all round, with the 4wd, it's best to replace them all at the same time to keep the rolling diameter the same, certainly best to have a pair of matching tyres on each axle.
Stick with 15" wheels, tyres will be cheaper & that is manufacturers spec, incresing wheel size is a pimp, rather than a safety improvement as you may gather if you read the thread through.
With new tyres on, speed should not be an issue, make sure they have a decent pressure in, depending on the safe limits of the tyre, I'd go for around 40-42psi on the rear & 38ish on the front, but ask the advice of a reputable tyre fitter - not Kwik fit or any other mickeymouse outfits.
The weight of the conversion shouldn't be too much of a factor, as you've removed a pile of very heavy seating to fit it.
Hope this helps.

[richlizard]

Thanks again Kirsty.

Anyone know if 'Micheldever Tyres' is one of those reputables? They do have a good reputation around here.

Can't believe I drove close to 120 miles home without realising what danger I might have been in.

I really don't mind going for the 'pimp' in fairness as although I am not really that type, I have to admit the tyres on it right now really do look quite pathetic. But that prob means 4 new wheels as opposed to 4 new tyres right? See how dumb I am?

Obviously I will need at least one new wheel so that I can use my back rear one as spare.

What sort of costs do you reckon we are looking at for 4 new tyres (one new wheel) as opposed to 4 new wheels 'cos they are bound to see me coming from a mile off.

[missfixit70]

A spare steel wheel shouldn't cost you more than £20, from any of the bongo breakers listed on this site, or try any of the bongo dealers in your vicinity, try posting a wanted in the wanted section on here for a 15" steel wheel, you may get lucky.
As for tyres it depends what you go for, ie known expensive brand or something a bit cheaper, what did your first replacement cost you?

[richlizard]

A spare steel wheel shouldn't cost you more than £20, from any of the bongo breakers listed on this site, or try any of the bongo dealers in your vicinity, try posting a wanted in the wanted section on here for a 15" steel wheel, you may get lucky.
As for tyres it depends what you go for, ie known expensive brand or something a bit cheaper, what did your first replacement cost you?

So you don't suggest I go for new wheels then? I am only guessing, but I assume I can't get bigger tyres for same wheels? Even I am reading that back and thinking what a dumb questions.

Just replace all tyres and then get a spare from a breakers?

What baffles me is why they go for this space-saver thing when there is plenty of room for a real wheel! I had wrongly assumed there wasn't enough room for it. Crazy.

Anyway... erm... the replacement. Off the top of my head I would guess at around £80?