16.49.1 OB - are the standard 15" tyre / wheel combo sufficient???

[zerosecta]

Hi folks,

I am not entirely convinced that the tyres on our van are of a high enough spec for the weight of the van and I would like to get others opinions on this...

We have a 2012 16'49'1 outback with an ATM of 1875KG...

The issue I have is that even when the tyres are inflated to the max recommended psi they still balloon out and there seems (to me) to be excessive up/down and left/right movement of the rim by moving the rear bumper by hand...

On inspection of the tyres, I notice that they have a max load rating of just over 900kg each, so that would put them pretty much on the limit of the ATM of the van... Also their max pressure is 40 psi...

On some reading on google, I can't seem to find anywhere where the recommended psi ratings for 1800kg plus is anything lower than 65psi...

So the question is, Have Jayco made a little BooBoo with the tyre specs on the 15" rims for my and probably many other vans....

I would almost bet that this is one of the reasons that the tyres/wheels are so ridiculously hot even after short distances

 

[Capt. Gadget]

I Have the 16's on mine they are Savero A/T Plus GT Radial 245/70 R16 111T Max Load 1090 kg at 340kpa (49psi) Max, I opted for the 16's for the reason that they are the same size as the Car and that would give an extra spare in the case of an emergency, didnt even look at the specs on the tyres you would just assume that they would get the right ones for the weight of the van, maybe the 15s are meant to be for dual axle expandas and have been just used on the single axle ones without them giving it much thought.

 

[chartrock]

I broached this subject 2 years ago and it appears Jayco is still running close to the wind.

http://www.expandasdownunder.com/showthread.php/52-Tyre-Loads?highlight=tyre+loads

 

[zerosecta]

Mmmmm.. Must be a touchy subject since not to many people care to comment on it---- Suspect...

I'm going to give Vic Roads a call today and see what they say about it - There must be some sort of threshold that must be followed, this is Australia after all where there is a rule and regulation for everything and 90% of the time its overkill.

So I can't see how you could get away with putting a tyre on a van that is exactly exactly on the limit without some sort of buffer allowance - like say 30% or something like that...

 

[Burnsy]

A recall for some BFG's would be nice! but I won't hold my breath...let us know how you get on zero.

 

[macca]

Mmmmm.. Must be a touchy subject since not to many people care to comment on it---- Suspect...

I'm going to give Vic Roads a call today and see what they say about it - There must be some sort of threshold that must be followed, this is Australia after all where there is a rule and regulation for everything and 90% of the time its overkill.

So I can't see how you could get away with putting a tyre on a van that is exactly exactly on the limit without some sort of buffer allowance - like say 30% or something like that...

Good luck, thats like ringing Telstra!

 

[zerosecta]

Just had another thought on something - The Axle under the van is Rated to 1800kg - but both the ATM and GTM are above this----- So where does that leave me?

 

[icetechaus]

There was a recall on both of these subjects back in early 2010. Both on tyres being underrated and the axel being on the cusp of the load rating. Go www.recalls.gov.au and there is a full list of jayco recalls over the years. It would be interesting to hear from some of these owners to find out which vans and what tyres where on them.

 

[Burnsy]

While on the subject of weights and loads, and I don't want to sound like a scaremonger here, but what about the bearings? These are a very important factor especially when carrying loads up near 2T. Correct me if I'm wrong but I bet the factory bearings are Chinese. I had one disintegrate on my camper trailer with a ATM around 1100kg, metal is just too soft.
I know I won't be satisfied untill I've replaced mine with Jap bearings and know what I've got, my first service is due so will replace then!
The standard in caravan manufacturing needs a complete overhaul as there is none, trying to build them lighter, cheaper and quicker, but to what standards? they wouldn't get away with this in the car industry, so what's the difference really?

Cheers.

 

[Kenshi123]

Just had another thought on something - The Axle under the van is Rated to 1800kg - but both the ATM and GTM are above this----- So where does that leave me?

Hi mate. First off thanks for bringing this to light. Really appreciate it.

I had a look at the order for my expanda and it says "axle face to face" 1850kg.
Then on another part it says " axle rating/setup 2000kg"
What's the difference between the two? Sorry if this is a common knowledge question.

Cheers.

 

[Burnsy]

150kg buffer....no way near enough if it could mean failure!

 

[zerosecta]

That's my point, That 150kg is probably more than expended every time you go over a bump in the road ect. As the van bounces, the down force exerted would exceed the 150 easily.

Lok I'm no engineer and in reality I may not get anywhere on this with jayco, also there are plenty out there that appear to be fine,,,, I am concerned though as it just doesn't seem to add up.

TO be honest I am more concerned about the tyres being under rated than anything else.... I know in theory they are just with in the limit of load ect. But that doesn't take away the fact that even when inflated to max psi they still balloon causing heat build up and no doubt accelerated wear.

 

[Burnsy]

I know what your saying zero, and I agree totally. Did you make any calls yesterday?

Cheers.

 

[zerosecta]

Hi Burnsy - called up VicRoads who referred me to a document called VSB1 - It basically the Guidelines on Building new Trailers\Caravans....

It does refer to the Axle and tyre recommendations etc. _ But - What is really disappointing is that it basically advises that with tyre load rating's they have to be at least the weight of the van - and pretty much the same as the axle...

So it would appear that Jayco - although on thin ice, aren't breaking any rules...

You would have thought that with how strict and nanny state'ish Aus are that they would have had some % based buffer build into the guidelines - so that if the van is 1800KG the the tyres would have to have minimum rating of say 1050 and minimum axle rating of 2000KG

 

[Burnsy]

Hi Burnsy - called up VicRoads who referred me to a document called VSB1 - It basically the Guidelines on Building new Trailers\Caravans....

It does refer to the Axle and tyre recommendations etc. _ But - What is really disappointing is that it basically advises that with tyre load rating's they have to be at least the weight of the van - and pretty much the same as the axle...

So it would appear that Jayco - although on thin ice, aren't breaking any rules...

You would have thought that with how strict and nanny state'ish Aus are that they would have had some % based buffer build into the guidelines - so that if the van is 1800KG the the tyres would have to have minimum rating of say 1050 and minimum axle rating of 2000KG

Thank's for the update mate, very strange guidelines and one that needs to be changed!

Cheers.

 

[zerosecta]

Quick update, I sent an email to Jayco HQ about my concerns and have received a response saying that it has been forwarded to the relevant manager and I should expect a response with in 10 days

 

[zerosecta]

No response from Jayco - Next move will be to consult with a Professional for thier opinion and from that if advised then I will raise a case with relevant body like Vcat or something

 

[zerosecta]

Just on another note - I know of two case of Blowouts in the last 4 months on the forum and Im pretty sure from the same tyres

 

[zerosecta]

Not Surprisingly, Jayco have gone dark on the subject with me after a couple of emails and a promise of a response with a few days.... Reminded them today that I will not go away till they have categorically proved that the tyres are sufficient and that I am in fact waiting my breath on this. And once again have been informed that a senior member will get back to me in a few days.

Obviously I have them thinking very carefully about what they are going to do about this character and the sensitive subject he has brought up... One person even had the cheek to tell me the tyres are rated according to the unladen weight of the van not for once it is fully loaded.

What a Joke - That's like building a car with 4 seats but only licensing and registering it for 1 passenger

 

[crackacoldie]

Just did a quick check on mine. It has Firestone Destination A/T 235/75r15, with a load rating of 1090kg at 40psi. The 1649-3 has an ATM of 2056, so gives me a little breathing space, having a look around, there is not much higher rating for that tyre size.