20 inch Tyres not allowed on UK VW Camper/Van ?

[Andpopse]

I just had a very interesting conversation with a Tyre fitting company. They stated commercial vehicles ( Vans and Conversions) cannot use 20 inch tyres as they are 4 ply not 8 ply construction . Load Rating is irrelevant ! The tyres must have a ‘C’ marked on them for commercial. Any tyre without this ie XL / 106 / 103 etc are car tyres and thus will void any insurance.
They told me a customer had actually encountered an insurance problem due to this !

Obviously this is a ‘can of worms’ !!!!

Any comments ?????

 

[MK2Golf24v]

They are wrong

 

[Andpopse]

They are wrong

Care to elaborate

 

[Andpopse]

Maybe a forum supplier ie Bognor Motors or a wheel / tyre company has a view on this ?

 

[MK2Golf24v]

Care to elaborate

There is nothing more to say. They are incorrect.

 

[Andpopse]

There is nothing more to say. They are incorrect.

I’d like you to be right, but this is just your opinion. What is needed is clear evidence which is backed up with actual facts.

 

[cgtmiles]

Even if what they say is true VW supply supermetal 20” wheels so there must be at least some tyres that are ok

 

[MK2Golf24v]

I’d like you to be right, but this is just your opinion. What is needed is clear evidence which is backed up with actual facts.

VW don’t fit the vans with commercial tyres.

So THEY ARE WRONG

 

[Andpopse]

VW don’t fit the vans with commercial tyres.

So THEY ARE WRONG

It’s in all our interests that they are wrong, but I’d like some firm evidence if it’s out there. I hope some others with long term experience can chime in with more than just an opinion.

 

[Salty Spuds]

VW don’t fit the vans with commercial tyres.

So THEY ARE WRONG

Both of my new factory supplied vans came with commercial tyres.

 

[MK2Golf24v]

Both of my new factory supplied vans came with commercial tyres.

My Sportline didn’t

 

[Andpopse]

Both of my new factory supplied vans came with commercial tyres.

Are these 20 inch and Marked with a C ?

cgtmiles posting, when you look up refers to a Caravelle option which is not classed as commercial the same as a VW California ?

 

[T6ARF]

Even if what they say is true VW supply supermetal 20” wheels so there must be at least some tyres that are ok

I agree with this. I could understand it if your van is a dedicated full on commercial vehicle, carrying heavy loads every day, but if your ‘van’ is basically a big car, as long as the tyres are load rated to your vehicle then what’s the difference between your van and a Range Rover? A Range Rover is a heavy vehicle that doesn’t run on commercial tyres…. they run 20” wheels? I don’t know the legalities of it, that’s just my opinion…. I’m sure someone like Chris @The Van Cave or Oli @BognorMotors will have a lot more knowledge on the subject than me.

 

[T6Paul]

Sportline vans come with 18 inch tyres with a 103 loading and are not C rated

 

[Salty Spuds]

Are these 20 inch and Marked with a C ?

No, 17” on standard Devonports. 20” weren’t an option, probably for good reason.

 

[T6ARF]

I guess the best thing to do would be to contact an insurance company or broker and put the question to them…. a company like Brentacre who specialise in modified vehicles will surely have a definitive answer?

 

[Loz]

My California Camper is not a commercial, its registered as a Diesel Car...

 

[dubber36]

Any comments ?????

Go to another tyre fitter.

 

[Wills]

Obviously this is a ‘can of worms’ !!!!

Any comments ?????

More like a van of worms. Very worrying. Where do these people gain such knowledge?

 

[Merryman]

All down to the load rating, i.e 3000KG , 3200 KG. Then take in the axle ratios etc. For me, it's a commercial van and therefore needs a 8ply C Rating. A SWB empty van is a different fish on the road of a 9 seater, fully loaded with cases etc. You're van, you're money and your insurance claim