Tyre Sizes

[frazer]

Hi all,

First post but have used the board a fair bit for fixing me old transit camper. Just recently saved me a huge wedge after French garage told me my engine was shagged but i found from the forum here that actually it was a loose bolt under the rocker cover allowing oil to return through the air intake. So massive thanks to all you grease monkeys out there!

anyway,

lookin at getting some winter tyres on the old beast as the snows soon coming. tyre size im running now is 225 70 15. Can i use 205 65 15's? found a decent set on ebay

van is 1999 2.4Di LWB hightop only carrying camper conversion bed, shelves etc so no big loads.

cheers for your help

[wojciech]

Theoretically you can use size 205/65R15, but this tyre has nearly 5 cm smaller diameter then 225/75R15 (7,5% smaller - it is much). Van will be looking... little bit funny.
And mileometer/speedometer will cheat very much.

And of course you mast check load index on new tyres - it can be inadequate...

[frazer]

Okay cheers for that. aside from looking 'funny' would it be dangerous at all? considering there will be snow/ice. is there less rubber on the road? the load on 'em is 96 that gunna do?

the deal is four for 130 quid part worn from german company. really can't afford new uns you see

cheers again

[AndyG]

Is there a 'C' after the size
If not, then no

[frazer]

no C after it. so is that 'no' relating to the 'dangerous' question or the 'is the 96 load bit ok'. sorry just didn't quite get the answer...

[AndyG]

No 'C' means you cannot legally fit this tyre to a commercial vehicle and yours will be classified as such, because of the weight it can carry.

[Guy88]

is it taxed and MOT'd as a camper??

No 'C' means you cannot legally fit this tyre to a commercial vehicle and yours will be classified as such, because of the weight it can carry.

Tyre doesnt have to carry the 'C' however it must be dual load rated i.e 112/109 and the load index must be greater than the axle weight

If its a camper and class 4 MOT then commercial tyres wont be required, so can be a single load index (must be greater than axle weight)

I had this with my MK7 running the 18's. if campered it and got it taxed and MOT'd as one then the 18" wheels would have been legal

[wojciech]

Okay cheers for that. aside from looking 'funny' would it be dangerous at all? considering there will be snow/ice. is there less rubber on the road? the load on 'em is 96 that gunna do?

the deal is four for 130 quid part worn from german company. really can't afford new uns you see

cheers again

Apart from problem with load index and "C" marking - with total ratio bigger 7,5%, fuel consumption will be also visibly bigger.

[MinorMatt]

The load rating says they aren't suitable.