Tyre pressure confusion

roylovelock
roylovelock Forum Participant Posts: 20
edited June 2016 in Caravans #1

Hi im wondering if someone could point me in the right direction.

The first trip out and we stuggled with the van, the dealer had only put in 37psi on our single axle 2009 bailey pagent s7 six birth bretagne (24ft long!!).

Anyways this outing i put 52psi as per bailey service handbook and what a big difference, i also bought a melanco nose gauge (old kampa one would read 110kgs and the new one was 60kgs).

The van towed lovely even though i know my clutch is doomed lol.

I digress.

We were sitting in the awning and i noticed the plate, the tire pressure was supposed to be 42psi!!???? the manual states 52psi. Does anyone know what the correct pressure to go by should be?. Ive left it at 52psi atm, ive noticed very little deflection
on the tires when moving and i dont really care if they wear unevenly as im sure they will be scrapped before they start to show signs of wear.

thanks

Comments

  • armourer
    armourer Forum Participant Posts: 218
    edited June 2016 #2

    contact manufacturer for correct pressure.

    look on sidewall of tyre it normally tells you the max pressure

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited June 2016 #3

    You can work out exactly what the pressure should be.

    https://caravanchronicles.com/guides/calculate-the-correct-tyre-pressure-for-your-caravan/

    If you find that confusing then have a look at the tyre pressure calculator on the TyreSafe website.

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #4

    Depends on which tyre is fitted. All tyres have a maximum pressure when the tyre is cold /per weight of the caravan , embossed on the tyre wall. Work out the weight of your caravan and inflate your tyres to just under the printed maximum pressure for that weight. You wont be far away from the ideal.

    K

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #5

     .... If you find that confusing then have a look at the tyre pressure calculator on the TyreSafe website.

    I did, but never seen tha Tyresafe site before  ..... Thanks.

    My hand book shows such a wide variation of possible pressures it's next to useless. My pressures have been tow low fror years/miles Embarassed

  • roylovelock
    roylovelock Forum Participant Posts: 20
    edited June 2016 #6

    Thanks for the replys, ive contacted bailey for clarification, if the figures wer only a few psi i would have gone for the middle ground but as the stated pressures are so different it prudent to check.

     

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited June 2016 #7

    If you can post on here your tyre size which is on the tyre wall and will look similar to 195/70 R 14, followed by the load rating eg 95N.  Also your caravans MTPLM, and is it a single axle van?

    With this info I will look at my charts for you.

    Bear in mind that the max pressure on the tyre wall may not be the correct pressure for your van, but the designed max that should not be exceeded.

  • MrGarval
    MrGarval Forum Participant Posts: 120
    edited June 2016 #8

    Hi, I think you have been some very good info which I am sure will help. However, I would also check your noseweight as 60kg seems a little low and the general feeling is the heavier the better (but not to exceed the towbar manufaturer and caravan makers recommended
    weights).

  • roylovelock
    roylovelock Forum Participant Posts: 20
    edited June 2016 #9

     "However, I would also check your noseweight as 60kg seems a little low and the general feeling is the heavier the better (but not to exceed the towbar manufaturer and caravan makers recommended weights)."

    I was stating what the actual weight was on my old nose weight, the gauge showed 110kgs when it was actually 60kgs. I loaded it to 75kgs which is what my car is rated for and it towed much better.

     

    ANYWAYS.

    Just got a reply from bailey

    185/R14C LI104N are my tires.

    The plate stated 42psi, the manual stated 52psi. Bailey has just confirmed that 52psi should be in the tires so my plate is incorrect!!!

    This is a worry as i wonder how many other people have the same issue ive came across.

     

    roy

  • EricB
    EricB Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited June 2016 #10

    The maximum pressure embossed on the sidewall of a tyre is for use in the USA only. The caravan manufacturers figure should be correct. Hope this helps

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited June 2016 #11

    The maximum pressure embossed on the sidewall of a tyre is for use in the USA only. The caravan manufacturers figure should be correct. Hope this helps

    Write your comments here...This information on the tyre wall is a stipulation and requitement by the American D.of T. but is advice by the tyre manufacturer showing it's designed limits no matter where it is used.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #12

    My caravan is specced at 50psi but the tyres say max 42psi. I've been running them at 50 for the past few years. I read on the net about some tyres that were tested to destruction and it was very substantially above the rated pressure.

  • chrisn7
    chrisn7 Forum Participant Posts: 72
    edited June 2016 #13

    The maximum pressure embossed on the sidewall of a tyre is for use in the USA only. The caravan manufacturers figure should be correct. Hope this helps

    Write your comments here...This information on the tyre wall is a stipulation and requitement by the American D.of T. but is advice by the tyre manufacturer showing it's designed limits no matter where it is used.

    Its only a stipumation for tyres that are exported. The max pressure is not required to be embossed on imported tyres however.