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Hi All.

In our caravan manual it states we should inflate the tyres to 36.3 psi.  Does this mean that regardless if the caravan is empty or if we are carrying the maximum load allowed that the psi should still be 36.3 psi.

Thanks

What make , model and year of caravan do you have , do you know it's weight laden and unladen , there should be a weight plate on the caravan.

atb

Wizard

The only correct pressure is the one that suits the type of tyre and weight of van, over inflating tyres is fool hardy.

The tyre is part of the caravan suspension and relies on them for absorbing shock far more than on a car, over inflation will only serve to transmit the vibration into the caravan structure where it can do no good at all.

Further and for the same reason, there is some evidence that severly over inflated tyres can lead to instability as the caravan will bounce more rather than the tyres absorbing and dissipating that energy.

While as said for the most part it's considered ok to leave tyres at their fully loaded pressure all the time, it would be wise to be aware of the ideal unloaded pressure so the tyres can be adjusted if the vans being pulled long distances unload or lightly loaded.

Just too quick for me

Hi

thanks for your replies

The caravan is a Compass Illussion twin axle.  1997 model.

We have owned the van for about a year and during its first service since we got it we were told that the tyres were old and needed replaced.  We were told to get an 8 ply tyre.

The size of the tyres that were on the van were 145 80 R13.  To get an 8 ply we had to go up to 155 R13 which we have done.  There is ample room under the arch to accomadate it.

The max weight of the van is 1465 kilos with a payload of 330 kilos.   On the old tyres we put in 36.3 psi as stated in the manual.

Now we have changed to a 155 tyre should we stick at 36.3 psi or what.  The guys who fitted the five tyres didnt offer any advise.

We are off to France from Scotland in a few days for our hols - so we are going a reasonable distance.

Cheers  !!!

Have a look at the bottom of this page Click_here , it does look like you should be running at about 28psi , check the load index number on the side of the tyre , or tell us the max weight _ _ at _ _ psi marked on the side of the tyre .

atb

Wizard