T5 Tyres 17" what is available in OZ

[Diesel_vert]

Wow! that's comprehensive ... I'm impressed - and invite your comment(s) on the following.
I put the campervan on the local weighbridge and with full tanks - both fuel as well as water, and with driver & passenger on board it scaled 2650kg.
I see that Bridgestone make ER300 215/60 R17 (96H) which have an OD of 690 ... within 5mm of the current 235/55 R17 (103W)
While a profile change from 55 to 60 doesn't seem much, my hope is that it might improve the crash bang bump thump "quality" of the outfit which at the moment is almost intolerable on corrugated roads.
Over to you.

I've noted your comments re: weighbridge, but fitting a tyre with a lower load index that hasn't been approved by the manufacturer means the vehicle can be rendered unroadworthy - which has consequences for the registered owner and whoever's driving it (liability, insurance, etc).

In any case, I predict that 215/60 R17 wouldn't be noticeably more comfortable than 235/55 R17, because you lose too much width (235 to 215) compared to the gain in height (55 to 60).

It would be better to replace your current summer tyres for an all-season tyre like the Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum (KU27). Or increase the width from 235/55 R17 to 245/55 R17 with the side effect of making the speedometer less underestimate the vehicle's speed.

...

Now, I'm not here to tell you what you can and can't do, so if you still want to go ahead, I strongly recommend the tyres are at least able to support the maximum axle weight and the maximum vehicle weight, otherwise there is a serious safety risk.

The standard load version "215/60 R17 96H" has a max. load capacity of 710 kg, so it can support 1420 kg per axle and 2840 kg in total.

The extra load version "215/60 R17 100H XL" has a max. load capacity of 800 kg, so it can support 1600 kg per axle and 3200 kg in total - but this size appears to be exceedingly rare on the market.

So, what are the maximum axle weights (front & rear) and the maximum vehicle weight? The figures should be found on a sticker or a plate on the vehicle itself, maybe somewhere on the pillars.

[mangoburger]

Just got some Kumho KU27 Ecsta LX platinum's fitted 235/55/r17 103w fitted for $165 @ Tempe tires Sydney, these tires seem quieter than the Dunlop Sp I had, and seem to.give a better ride.How long they last is any ones guess, they have to be better than the 35000 km I got from the Dunlop tires, and seem way better value for money.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

Good deal REVHE4D, I'm getting four Nankang N605 Toursport NS 235/55/17 fitted now, $185 a corner at Beaurepaires Dandenong South which is actually more of a truck specialist. They are rated 103V, don't know much about them but one of our subbies had 16" Nankangs fitted to his LWB T5 Auto Transporter, then drove to Gladstone and back and was pretty happy with them. Tread pattern looks ok for wet which is relevant right now so will see how they travel.

[Col Collyer]

I let my tyres down to 35lb from around 50. Now they have a flat on the bottom, and the ride is way better. Time will tell how it affects wear.

[greymad]

EU regulations require vehicle manufacturers to specify a tyre with a speed index which is not less that the the vehicle's top speed multiplied by a factor of 1.05

Manufacturers may also specify tyres in excess of a vehicle's top speed for reasons of performance (of which there are many types of criteria), because a tyre's speed index may also be used as a rough indicator of a tyre's construction and characteristics.



In any case, most Australian states permit you to fit a tyre with a speed index less than the vehicle's top speed - provided that the vehicle's top speed is 180 km/h or over (exact wording varies from juristiction).

Though I wouldn't mess about with the load index.



As well as all the tyres being able to support the gross vehicle mass, the tyres on each axle must also be able to support the gross axle weight.



One should also be aware that, for a standard load tyre, maximum load capacity is achieved at 2.5 bar (36 psi). For an extra load tyre, maximum load capacity is achieved at 2.9 bar (42 psi). These figures have nothing to do with the maximum inflation pressure a tyre is able to support, which is indicated on the sidewall.

It can be easy to overload tyres through underinflation - even if a tyre is capable of supporting higher loads at the appropriate inflation pressures.

Hence, it is appropriate to have safety margins.



The load index of a passenger tyre is pre-designated by its size, and can be classified as either "standard load" or "extra load". For example;

"205/55 R16 91T" is standard load. "205/55 R16 94T XL" is extra load.

"205/50 R17 89T" is standard load. "205/50 R17 93T XL" is extra load.

Thus, there are no such fitments as "205/55 R16 93T" or "205/50 R17 94T", etc.



If it's anything typical of a European car, the diagram should not be strictly interpreted as literal. Rather, it is simply meant to represent "half load" and "full load". Such pictograms, cryptic they may be to people of English-speaking backgrounds (who aren't accustomed to this sort of thing), are common in Europe due to the sheer number of languages spoken on the continent.

Wow! that's comprehensive ... I'm impressed - and invite your comment(s) on the following.
I put the campervan on the local weighbridge and with full tanks - both fuel as well as water, and with driver & passenger on board it scaled 2650kg.
I see that Bridgestone make ER300 215/60 R17 (96H) which have an OD of 690 ... within 5mm of the current 235/55 R17 (103W)
While a profile change from 55 to 60 doesn't seem much, my hope is that it might improve the crash bang bump thump "quality" of the outfit which at the moment is almost intolerable on corrugated roads.
Over to you.

[REVHE4D]

Just got some Kumho KU27 Ecsta LX platinum's fitted 235/55/r17 103w fitted for $165 @ Tempe tires Sydney, these tires seem quieter than the Dunlop Sp I had, and seem to.give a better ride.How long they last is any ones guess, they have to be better than the 35000 km I got from the Dunlop tires, and seem way better value for money.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

[Diesel_vert]

why does a 132kw T5 have to have W rated tyres which are good, apparently, for 247km/hr (!)

EU regulations require vehicle manufacturers to specify a tyre with a speed index which is not less that the the vehicle's top speed multiplied by a factor of 1.05

Manufacturers may also specify tyres in excess of a vehicle's top speed for reasons of performance (of which there are many types of criteria), because a tyre's speed index may also be used as a rough indicator of a tyre's construction and characteristics.

The thing about replacement tyres is the load rating and speed rating. It is one thing to get the correct size, but if the load rating and/or speed rating is not correct, this is where you have issues with insurers.

In any case, most Australian states permit you to fit a tyre with a speed index less than the vehicle's top speed - provided that the vehicle's top speed is 180 km/h or over (exact wording varies from juristiction).

Though I wouldn't mess about with the load index.

And for that matter, the same tyres (103's) have a load capability of 875kg each - ie a T5 with an all up weight of 3,500kg (!)

As well as all the tyres being able to support the gross vehicle mass, the tyres on each axle must also be able to support the gross axle weight.

Might there be a bit of over conservative cover-our-backsides just-in-case-someone-sues procedure going on here?

One should also be aware that, for a standard load tyre, maximum load capacity is achieved at 2.5 bar (36 psi). For an extra load tyre, maximum load capacity is achieved at 2.9 bar (42 psi). These figures have nothing to do with the maximum inflation pressure a tyre is able to support, which is indicated on the sidewall.

It can be easy to overload tyres through underinflation - even if a tyre is capable of supporting higher loads at the appropriate inflation pressures.

Hence, it is appropriate to have safety margins.

Don't worry, there are other weird things.

Take my Caddy. If you have 16" wheels the tyres are 205/55 R16 94T, but if you have 17" wheels, then the tyres are 205/50R17 93T.

These are for the same vehicle, so why when you go up in rim diameter can the tyre have a lower load carrying rating? Surely both should be 94T or 93T for both wheel diameters.

The load index of a passenger tyre is pre-designated by its size, and can be classified as either "standard load" or "extra load". For example;

"205/55 R16 91T" is standard load. "205/55 R16 94T XL" is extra load.

"205/50 R17 89T" is standard load. "205/50 R17 93T XL" is extra load.

Thus, there are no such fitments as "205/55 R16 93T" or "205/50 R17 94T", etc.

Also, the placard shows images for 2 people and one bag of luggage, and 5 people and 3 bags of luggage. The vehicle is a 7 seater! Does this mean you cannot carry more than 5 people in a 7 seater (a little tongue in cheek)?

If it's anything typical of a European car, the diagram should not be strictly interpreted as literal. Rather, it is simply meant to represent "half load" and "full load". Such pictograms, cryptic they may be to people of English-speaking backgrounds (who aren't accustomed to this sort of thing), are common in Europe due to the sheer number of languages spoken on the continent.

[wai]

I appreciate the point you make, but why does a 132kw T5 have to have W rated tyres which are good, apparently, for 247km/hr (!)
And for that matter, the same tyres (103's) have a load capability of 875kg each - ie a T5 with an all up weight of 3,500kg (!)
Might there be a bit of over conservative cover-our-backsides just-in-case-someone-sues procedure going on here?

Don't worry, there are other weird things.

Take my Caddy. If you have 16" wheels the tyres are 205/55 R16 94T, but if you have 17" wheels, then the tyres are 205/50R17 93T.

These are for the same vehicle, so why when you go up in rim diameter can the tyre have a lower load carrying rating? Surely both should be 94T or 93T for both wheel diameters.

Also, the placard shows images for 2 people and one bag of luggage, and 5 people and 3 bags of luggage. The vehicle is a 7 seater! Does this mean you cannot carry more than 5 people in a 7 seater (a little tongue in cheek)?

Makes you wonder.

[greymad]

I had Toyo HO2 and then HO8 tyres on my Hiace, and they were excellent, giving me around 60,000 km on a set.

The thing about replacement tyres is the load rating and speed rating. It is one thing to get the correct size, but if the load rating and/or speed rating is not correct, this is where you have issues with insurers.

I appreciate the point you make, but why does a 132kw T5 have to have W rated tyres which are good, apparently, for 247km/hr (!)
And for that matter, the same tyres (103's) have a load capability of 875kg each - ie a T5 with an all up weight of 3,500kg (!)
Might there be a bit of over conservative cover-our-backsides just-in-case-someone-sues procedure going on here?

[wai]

Ive been running Toyo's in 235/55 103H or whatever the placard states, had dunlop sports as well, toyo at $265 ea, dunlops at $330ea.

The toyos seem to wear well and are quite and hang on nicely on windy rds.

I had Toyo HO2 and then HO8 tyres on my Hiace, and they were excellent, giving me around 60,000 km on a set.

The thing about replacement tyres is the load rating and speed rating. It is one thing to get the correct size, but if the load rating and/or speed rating is not correct, this is where you have issues with insurers.

[mangoburger]

Ive been running Toyo's in 235/55 103H or whatever the placard states, had dunlop sports as well, toyo at $265 ea, dunlops at $330ea.

The toyos seem to wear well and are quite and hang on nicely on windy rds.

fletchog, what model Toyos do you have? Placard states 103W or higher for V6 engine, H is for other motors. The time may have come to replace my current van rubber.

Just scored four nice unwanted Skoda 7.5 x 17 rims with brand new Dunlop Sportmax 225/45/17 for the Golf, $600 the lot. I think they're off a Superb, whatever it was the offset difference is one, ie ET49 replaces ET50.

[mangoburger]

The info an all 3 tyres is in this thread, so you can look at the previous pages.
I can sum up my experience with Hankook RA23 since I had them and was very happy with them. I think I got just over 40,000km out of them. They cost me $195 (with some trade discount ) then. Expect to pay around $240 today. I've rotated them every 5,000km since my van is loaded to the max. and I use the steering a lot to reverse and going around roundabouts.

I have Kumho KH15 at the moment and would not recommend them at less than 20,000km they're on the last mm before TWI. I will have to get new tyres before the end of June. I made some enquiry yesterday and was told to hurry up because the price is going up thanks to the carbon tax that we have to have.

Transporter, good to know you use the steering to negotiate roundabouts! I'll feel safer driving around Adelaide now!

I'm also running Kumho Solus KH15 on a Multivan 4motion at 50psi, don't slow down much for corners and have never rotated them but had an alignment done once, at 50k they are looking sad and front shoulders are especially worn. Can replace with same for same$ from BJ Dandenong, from memory it was $1,000 for 4

[fletchog]

Ive been running Toyo's in 235/55 103H or whatever the placard states, had dunlop sports as well, toyo at $265 ea, dunlops at $330ea.

The toyos seem to wear well and are quite and hang on nicely on windy rds.

[shogun2]

Just had fitted Federal 235/55/17 FD-2. Load rated 103W. Price was $229 each. They are very quiet based upon a first short drive home. Will be interesting to see how they travel.

[shtoney]

been checkin this site out, I think its somewhat official with VW aftermarket suppliers/dealers...

Umbauten.de - Raising of vehicle

main details shown below:

- Above a tyre size of 235/65 R 16 or 235/65 R 17, a tacho adjustment is required.
- Above a tyre size of 225/75 R 16 or 245/65 R 17, the short axle drive ratio is required.

this is for T5 transporter...

[mikinoz]

245/55r18 103W Kumho KU19 are about $250/corner. Just fitted some and are. Iced than the continental run flats I had on previously.