Right tyres for van?

BOND747

My Ford Transit T300swb failed the vtn test due to the tyre load rating on the rear axle, the tester says the weight plate for the rear axle says 2450kg which means it needs 116 rated tyres instead of the 102 rated that are currently under it.
I tried to get new tyres for it only to be told you cant get that high a rating on a 15inch wheel, i then went to the main Ford dealer where i bought the van ten months ago and he says the van tyres are correct and are the spec that left the factory on day one, its a 2005 reg van and had a current cert when i bought it so it must have passed the test in previous years.
Im now very confused as the test centre says the tyres are wrong and wont pass the test and on the other hand ford says the tyres are correct and up to spec. What do i do now????

cormie

This is the load rating per single wheel, multiply by 2 for each axle, as you can see 116 is the for 2,500kg, 115 is only for 2,430kg so not enough and 102 is only suitable for an axle weight of 1,700kg so definitely too low. My own transit has R16c, 116.


http://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk/load-and-speed-indexes-advice.html

Try www.eiretyres.com or www.camskill.co.uk for your size and make sure to select van tyres or strengthened/reinforced. I'd be back on to the Ford Garage though as it seems strange they'd supply it without the correct tyres..

BOND747

Thanks for that graph Cormie its very helpful, im very disappointed with the response i got from the main ford dealer. I find it very strange that they can stand over tyres that wont pass a vnt test

cormie

That's dodgy alright, I'd be back on to them first thing in the morning, if they supplied the van and you can see the Axle plate (I think it's on the drivers door closing area on Transits) with the weight rating you can show them that chart or any other similar chart (I'm sure they all follow the same rules) and could have a good case for them to replace them free. What's the full size of the tyres anyway?

sundodger5

have seen this in the past, once upon a time the transits ran on 185/14s that size was available in reinforced, 6 ply and 8 ply. depending on the body option (pick up, mini bus etc) they would have one of those types fitted. however the nct/doe always insisted on 8 ply regardless of what was fitted by the manucaturer.
On a stranger note the caddy vans vin plate allowed you to put car tyres on the front 175/65 14 bit the rear had to have the reinforced. the van came with reinforced all round out of the factory.
I suspect that they are taking the letter of the law to seriously. but you will have to please them to pass.

BOND747

cormie wrote: »

That's dodgy alright, I'd be back on to them first thing in the morning, if they supplied the van and you can see the Axle plate (I think it's on the drivers door closing area on Transits) with the weight rating you can show them that chart or any other similar chart (I'm sure they all follow the same rules) and could have a good case for them to replace them free. What's the full size of the tyres anyway?

The tyres currently under it are 195/70/R15C with a load rating of 104.
il go back to the ford dealer and see do i have any joy. Some one else told me i may have to buy 16inch rims on for the higher load rating tyre of 116

cormie

Jaysus, just checked camskill and there's no higher rating than 104 on 195/70/15 tyres

Did you buy the van brand new?

BOND747

cormie wrote: »

Jaysus, just checked camskill and there's no higher rating than 104 on 195/70/15 tyres

Did you buy the van brand new?

Bought it 2nd hand from the main Ford dealer ten months ago. Is it possible to put 16inch rims under it?

cormie

I imagine so, I've 16's on a 330 and 350 anyway. I'd give the dealer a ring today and get them to sort it out if possible!

_Conrad_

sundodger5 wrote: »

On a stranger note the caddy vans vin plate allowed you to put car tyres on the front 175/65 14 bit the rear had to have the reinforced. the van came with reinforced all round out of the factory.
.

escort vans are like that too (from memory anyway)

BOND747

cormie wrote: »

I imagine so, I've 16's on a 330 and 350 anyway. I'd give the dealer a ring today and get them to sort it out if possible!

The ford dealer is sticking to his guns, he says the tyres are the proper ford spec for the van. When i asked him why it wont pass the vtn test he told me the tester was too picky and try and get it tested some place else:( its like talking to the wall, i wouldn't mind but in the last five years iv bought two vans and three cars from him, so much for looking after the customer:rolleyes:

BOND747

sundodger5 wrote: »

have seen this in the past, once upon a time the transits ran on 185/14s that size was available in reinforced, 6 ply and 8 ply. depending on the body option (pick up, mini bus etc) they would have one of those types fitted. however the nct/doe always insisted on 8 ply regardless of what was fitted by the manucaturer.
On a stranger note the caddy vans vin plate allowed you to put car tyres on the front 175/65 14 bit the rear had to have the reinforced. the van came with reinforced all round out of the factory.
I suspect that they are taking the letter of the law to seriously. but you will have to please them to pass.

Iv heard some test centres can be easier to pass vans than others, when it comes to road safety you would think it should be the same rules for everyone

sundodger5

The fact that it looks like they dont go any higher than 104 in that size means the dealer is right. the tester is being an ass. you should not have to change wheels to get it to pass. Would the dealer not ring the test centre? If not i would be inclined to prove to the tester that there is no such thing as a higher load rated tyre in that size.

BOND747

sundodger5 wrote: »

The fact that it looks like they dont go any higher than 104 in that size means the dealer is right. the tester is being an ass. you should not have to change wheels to get it to pass. Would the dealer not ring the test centre? If not i would be inclined to prove to the tester that there is no such thing as a higher load rated tyre in that size.

The tester accepts that there is no such tyre rating in that wheel size but he says the law states a 2450kg axle requires a 116 tyre, the testers point is if he passes it and there is a blow out or some sort of problem it could come back to him. i know it is a bit over the top and he is going according to the letter of the law but i can kinda see his point

cormie

I wouldn't be blaming the tester for this at all, they have guidelines that must be adhered to and it keeps the roads safer for us all. I wouldn't be so concerned about just getting that DOE cert either, I'd be more concerned about making sure your van is equipped to be as safe and within regulations. If you had an accident and there was an insurance claim, it will be somebodies job to find out any faults possible with your van and this could be one. Pretty bad considering the amount of business you've given the chap that he won't sort it, but worse even still that Ford would release a van with tyres that don't meet the legal requirement, if that is indeed the case.

sundodger5

fair enough tester doing his job as per guidelines. however it seems the guidelines are wrong.
i am sure that the manufacturer put tyres on that are suitable for use. if not then they would be liable if an accident happened.
i would only be concerned if they wheels and tyres were not o.e if the van was second hand.

Sids Not

Could the dealer you bought it from not DOE the van..?? or ask him where it was tested last time and go there...;)