Thinking of going "camping", am I stupid?

cormie

So back in 2008 I got 4 Michelin Agilis 81's for around €670 fitted, they need replacing now and I was thinking to get something more suitable to "all season" than the Agili's were. In the winter of 2010, they didn't handle so well. I've done a bit of research and it seems Michelin Agilis Camping http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/michelin-agilis-camping offer a compromise between summer and winter but are also going to cost a lot at around €700 for 4.

The van is used for all sorts of everything, city, motorway, country, empty load driving, full load driving etc and in all weather conditions.

Just wondering is it advisable or not to put "camping" tyres on a van that will be used for commercial work if all ratings etc match? Another tyre may be the Hankook RA08 or RA10, they seem to be a mid range tyre but get decent enough reviews.

Seeing as though were still having temperatures below 7 degrees and have been since October/November, I think an all season would be best. I don't do enough mileage to justify having both summer and winters at present so would just like a decent all season.

Any advice welcome

keithclancy

Speed Symbol "Q" For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 160 Km/h (100 Mph)

Thats about it really .. as long as you don't go over 100 you'll be fine.

CiniO

keithclancy wrote: »

Speed Symbol "Q" For vehicles with a speed capability not exceeding 160 Km/h (100 Mph)

Thats about it really .. as long as you don't go over 100 you'll be fine.

I always thought it was illegal to put on tyres with speed rating less than stated in vehicle type approval, which is always higher than vehicle top-speed.

cormie

The van can't go anywhere near 99mph anyway. Where would I find out the "vehicle type approval" speed I wonder?

So besides the legality of it, you don't reckon I'm compromising other aspects by choosing a tyre designed for a motorhome over a commercial vehicle?

keithclancy

CiniO wrote: »

I always thought it was illegal to put on tyres with speed rating less than stated in vehicle type approval, which is always higher than vehicle top-speed.

Don't think so, you can stick 180 rated Winter Tyres on a car capable of higher speeds and it'll still pass its TUV.

Sure if you get a car off Sixt in the Winter it has a sticker on the dash saying "Winterreifen 180km/h"

Dont think theres anything on the NCT regarding Tyre rating either.

RandomAccess

I get the impression these tyres are designed for vehicles that do fairly low mileage and are designed not to perish when they are left sitting in one place for very long periods without moving... this apparently has some performance tradeoffs in other areas so why are you considering using them for a commercial van?

Maybe the trade offs I read about are not all that major, but just wondering why use them for another purpose than intended.

Edit..
Ah ok, you want the mild off road ability.

CiniO

keithclancy wrote: »

Don't think so, you can stick 180 rated Winter Tyres on a car capable of higher speeds and it'll still pass its TUV.

That's actually right as there is exception for winter tyres.
However car wouldn't pass it's tuv with 180km/h rated summer tyres if it's top-speed was above it.

Dont think theres anything on the NCT regarding Tyre rating either.

In NCT manual there is something like that:

2. Check that the speed rating of each tyre is suitable for the maximum legal speed limit for the vehicle.

What do they mean by this - I'm not sure.
Does that mean like 120km/h for cars as it's the maximum legal speed limit in Ireland? If yes, that's really nonsense.

cormie

Interesting, how would one go about checking the actual vehicle max?

eth0

cormie wrote: »

Interesting, how would one go about checking the actual vehicle max?

On the motorway at night when tis quiet

cormie

Ah well I know that already It's about 140kmph downhill with a full load only so I think I'm ok

fryup

are camper vans exempt from the NCT?

see a few locals driving them everyday

ianobrien

fryup wrote: »

are camper vans exempt from the NCT?

see a few locals driving them everyday

NCT exempt yes (as they can't fit on the NCT ramps) but they are DOE'ed now (from March 1st I think)

Pjwal

CiniO wrote:

keithclancy wrote:

Don't think so, you can stick 180 rated Winter Tyres on a car capable of higher speeds and it'll still pass its TUV.

That's actually right as there is exception for winter tyres.
However car wouldn't pass it's tuv with 180km/h rated summer tyres if it's top-speed was above it.

Dont think theres anything on the NCT regarding Tyre rating either.

In NCT manual there is something like that:

2. Check that the speed rating of each tyre is suitable for the maximum legal speed limit for the vehicle.

What do they mean by this - I'm not sure.
Does that mean like 120km/h for cars as it's the maximum legal speed limit in Ireland? If yes, that's really nonsense.

I don't know about nct, but the doe does not check the speed rateing, only the weight rateing.