Tyre Pressures For Comfort

[John66809]

Our Kombi T32 is on standard Devonports. Is it feasible or indeed wise to reduce the tyre pressures a little in an attempt to improve ride comfort ? I should add the van is always virtually empty. The only time it will have any weight at all will be when we are towing the caravan a handful of times a year.

 

[Lord Mfwic]

A friend of mine has a T32 on Devonports and he runs them at 40psi. Obviously, I would not recommend doing such a thing on a public forum but the ride is a lot more comfortable. His never carries any weight and he does check the tyres regularly for any sign of wear to the tread or side walls, which I think is a very sensible thing to do if you're running under inflated tyres.
I think he is looking to increase the pressure to 45 on the fronts as they do look a little squashed with the weight of the engine.

 

[Scruffy]

What tyres are you running @John66809 ? If they are the original 215/60 eco things? or something else? The factory fitted eco tyres need to run at high pressures, going down to 40/45 psi would be plain dangerous I'd say, but if like myself you have 235/55, then mid 40's is about correct. The Contis and Michelin eco tyres are bloody awful in terms of ride and noise. I played about with the pressures slightly, but to little effect and eventually put some 235/55's on which run at 42psi and the ride is improved and noise is less. The biggest problem is the standard suspension in a T32, it's just too hard, especially when empty. Even when as fully loaded as I can get it, it's still harsh, and I just can't justify £1200 for Bilstiens, and I'm not sure they would improve it dramatically anyway. I have on occasion driven bog standard Shuttles in europe, and even with only a couple of us in it, it was a much better ride. I'd love to know what, if any the differences are.

 

[John66809]

What tyres are you running @John66809 ? If they are the original 215/60 eco things? or something else? The factory fitted eco tyres need to run at high pressures, going down to 40/45 psi would be plain dangerous I'd say, but if like myself you have 235/55, then mid 40's is about correct. The Contis and Michelin eco tyres are bloomin awful in terms of ride and noise. I played about with the pressures slightly, but to little effect and eventually put some 235/55's on which run at 42psi and the ride is improved and noise is less. The biggest problem is the standard suspension in a T32, it's just too hard, especially when empty. Even when as fully loaded as I can get it, it's still harsh, and I just can't justify £1200 for Bilstiens, and I'm not sure they would improve it dramatically anyway. I have on occasion driven bog standard Shuttles in europe, and even with only a couple of us in it, it was a much better ride. I'd love to know what, if any the differences are.

Thanks for the information. Seems like the thing to do is leave well alone and live with it. The vans on original Conti 215s and has been lowered 30mm on sportline springs.