Vito RWD Tyres & Traction

[GeoffB]

Hi all,

My RWD SWB Vito 442 is my first 5 seater van and, with the weather getting wetter now at times, I am noticing that pulling out of wet junctions can result in a little bit of wheel spin. I did own a dual cab pickup 15+ years ago with no traction control but knew this wheel spinning was load related.

Is this normal when fully loaded with people but no load or should I be looking at better rear tyres?

Thanks in advance

Geoff

 

[Droverunner]

I can only comment on the SWB 639 I owned until recently. With Goodyears all round on about 6mm and usually just me in it I was surprised how even tempered it was letting loose the power of the V6 from a standing start out of a junction in a tight gap. Far better than our CLK or the Mondeo estate we had before the Viano.

What make, width and tread depth are your tyres?

 

[Blobcat]

What make, width and tread depth are your tyres?

and how old are they…

 

[GeoffB]

Thanks guys

The rear tyres have plenty of tread and are Goodyear Cargo Vector 215/60 R17C, although the “standard” tyres listed on Blackcircles and other tyre sellers seem to be 225/55R17 for my van! Not sure if these are any good?

Not sure about the age

 

[Droverunner]

Those are an expensive commercial vehicle tyre with a high load rating... outside my experience but I wonder it they don't have the finesse of wet grip like a car tyre?

 

[GeoffB]

I was going to ask if any of you guys and gals use XL car tyres on vans that aren’t used commercially?

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

I have XL tyres on our V220. Not used commercially.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[rf065]

Uniroyal Rainsport are great tyres in wet conditions, they do a version for SUV's and 4x4's that might be suitable for you?

 

[Blobcat]

I was going to ask if any of you guys and gals use XL car tyres on vans that aren’t used commercially?

I did, it’s not about what it’s used for, it’s about what’s required due to the weight of the vehicle. (Also not insured if the tyres aren’t up to specification)

The Caravelle I had weighed a great deal more than the equivalent Transporter - anyone who‘s ever tried to lift any of the rear seats out will attest to that.

 

[mioba]

I was going to ask if any of you guys and gals use XL car tyres on vans that aren’t used commercially?

I have XL tyres on my W251 (as good as a van).
If your van was specced to have C (commercial) do not downgrade.

I have C tyres on my T25 camper that I am overhauling - I would only stick with them.

 

[GeoffB]

lol, I am slightly more confused than when I first asked the question now but learning all the time.

So blackcircles show these tyres and I was thinking the Hankook ones would be an option because I am familiar with and trust the brand. However, there is no mention of a C rating and, although they are XL, these ones are described as car tyres.

 

[mioba]

Yeah blackcircles dont list commercial. Phone a tyre place. You may well get some young yoof on the phone who is lost when you tell him your tire size as it doesn't seem the norm nomenclature to him.
Start with - I am after commercial tyres......

Forget XL, they are not commercial

 

[Blobcat]

lol, I am slightly more confused than when I first asked the question now but learning all the time.

So blackcircles show these tyres and I was thinking the Hankook ones would be an option because I am familiar with and trust the brand. However, there is no mention of a C rating and, although they are XL, these ones are described as car tyres.
View attachment 79647

You need to check on the load index - those are 101 which is pretty high at 825 Kg. I used 103 (875 kg) or 109 (1,030 kg) on the Caravelle. Check you manual what yours should be and just add that to the search.

Don’t think - “oh it won’t ever weigh more than 2,500 kg so I only need 625 kg rating”. (93 load index) per wheel as that’s not quite how it works. You need to account for dynamic loads as the vehicle goes up and down at speed which puts much greater loads on the tyres.

As an example my 911 uses 102 load index tyres (850 kg), the whole car weighs less than 1,600 kg so why does it need tyres that can take twice the weight of the vehicle? Dynamic loading under acceleration or braking is the answer.

 

[Kev555]

I just keep winter Tyres on my Vito rears all year which give me good grip in all conditions and surfaces but then I don't do big miles in a year. I pick a good hardy compound Tyre for the front as the steering cut is sore on front Tyres.

 

[GeoffB]

The penny has finally dropped regarding tyre types and load ratings, helped by you guys and confirming what my Vito should use.

I plan to get some all season Michelin CrossClimate tyres for the rears when I’m feeling flush