Puncture In Motorhome Tyre

[1581960]

Could someone please advise the rights and wrongs of repairing a tyre from a motorhome. A screw hole, less than 6mm dia, is right in the centre of the tyre so the position doesn't seem a problem. The tyre is a Contiental VancoCamper 225/75 R16 CP, normal use maximum pressure 69psi, but for motorhome application the maximum pressure goes up to 5.5Bar, recommended pressure on my vehicle is 79.5psi. Gross weight of the motorhome is just under 3.5 tons, would a repaired tyre be safe and satisfactory for my motorhome?

[Ryzen]

If the puncture is inside the repair zone..is undamaged and has the required tread depth then I cant see why not.

[1581960]

Thanks Ryzen, the tyre is otherwise undamaged and has done less than 10,000 miles, loads of tread depth left. It was the high pressure that was the cause of my concern.

[kvalidir]

We've often had repaired tyres on our horse box lorry 7.5T.
I'd put it on the rear if I were you and not worry about it. x

[1581960]

Thanks kvalidir, very encouraging. Do you recall what the pressure is in your tyres?

[IJKLM]

This is right on the limit.
No real worries about then repair, so long as it is done properly; but 79.5 psi = 5.48 bar.

Few automotive pressure gauges are that accurate. You runthe risk of under-inflation (will generate too much heat), or over-inflation (may over-stress the reinforcement in the tyre, especially at high speeds)

Your main enemy here is heat. If you are running at 60mph/100kph and not on roads that are excessively hot (Italian Autostrada del sol), then it *should* be OK.

But wow, that's close to the limit.

Your margin of safety will depend a bit on how many tyres are supporting that weight; how much load you're carrying, what speed and the temperature of the air and the asphalt/concrete.

Personally, I'd be looking for maybe bigger tyres. I'd definitely want them to have a high load rating (the number (such as 103) after the designation 227/75R16 S (or whatever speed rating) - and the XL rating.

Are these the recommended fitment from the manufacturer?

[1581960]

Hi IJKLM, The tyre is one of the original ones fitted to the vehicle when new, moulded onto the tyre is small picture of a motorhome along with the inscription "Due to the special service conditions of motor caravans it is permitted to increase the inflation pressure PERMITTED MAXIMUM INFLATION PRESSURE 15.50 BAR"

As far as I'm aware (I've had three motorhomes) these are the tyres that are fitted as standard to most, if not all, new motorhomes.


The number after 225/75 R16 CP is 116R, this is followed by 69PSI

Thanks for your very helpful reply.

[1581960]

Should have added, vehicle has four wheels but I don't know how the weight is distributed between front and back. Yes, I also wonder about the accuracy of tyre pressure gauges but just have to live with it.

[bhg481]

Something else to bear in mind is the age of the tyre. There is no legal maximum age but it's recommended you keep an eye on them after about 5 years, looking for cracking and "eggs" in the walls. I change my caravan tyres every 5 years regardless of mileage and tread depth.

[1581960]

Good thinking bhg481 but the motorhome is only 18 months old and has less than 10,000 on the clock.

[IJKLM]

OK, Less worriednow.

Assuming it's this:

https://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-details/continental-vancocamper-225-75-r16-116-r-cp

Suggests a load capacity of 1250 kg per tire.

2.5 tonnes on each axle.

I'd suggest maybe getting aset of aftermarket pressure valve caps like these:

http://www.fit2gotpms.com/michelin/

or these

https://www.nonda.co/products/zus-smart-tire-safety-monitor

to be sure the pressure is accurately maintained. Ad maybe a digital tyre pump such as this:

https://www.manomano.co.uk/compressor-1060?model_id=6764289

to keep the things correctly inflated. Beware especially of long runs, heavily laden at high temperatures, or in full sunlight.

Good luck :)

[bhg481]

I fitted Tyrepal pressure monitors both to my car and caravan about 3 years ago. Earlier this summer, on the way back to the Chunnel from Belgium, I had a warning that one of my caravan tyres was losing pressure so I was able to stop and change it before I got into real trouble with it.

[1581960]

Best answer has been given to IJKLM but thank you to everyone for your helpful and interesting posts.

[bhg481]

Just another thought - when you do come to replace tyres make sure that you buy reinforced ones. I was told by a friend that one of the most common causes of caravan/motorhome problems is tyres being replaced by non-reinforced ones, resulting in a blow-out.
To put your mind at ease, if you take your puncture to a reputable tyre dealer they should refuse to repair it if they think it won't be safe.