Michelin Tyre Pressures

I think Michelin have been saying this for some time. Both motorhomes I have owned required 80 psi in the rears but where they seem to move away from the Michelin recommendations is the original motorhome had 55 psi at the front and the new one needs 50 psi. An added complication is that all new motorhomes are now fitted with a factory fit tyre pressure monitoring system so it's not so easy to move away from the recommended pressures as it usually requires dealer intervention.

David

if the two axles weighed the same (and this can happen on light A class vans) why have 80 psi in the rear (ouch) irrespective of that weight, and (say) 55 in the front....

arent equal weights subject to all the same quoted bumph above that apparently applies to the rears?

and don't the fronts have to cope with the additional forces of steering, too?

why don't Continental make the same rear axle stipulation as Michelin?

i don't know the answers but these seem fairly obvious questions....

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I just wonder if Dora (of Michelin) Is aware that "motor home" weight can vary from 2500 kg to 4850 kg maybe more ?

i cannot see that an around figure of 80psi would suit all ?

Rgds

If I understand that aright, that's a bit worrying as it appears to be a stock answer. I gave details of my van's weights (Laika Ecovip 600 downplated to 3500kg) to see if the manual's recommendations were changed because of downplating.  Seemingly they no longer offer recommendations based on the actual weight of an individual van.

 

You can use the TyreSafe Motorhome Tyre Inflation Pressure Advice -   https://www.tyresafe.org/check-your-pressures/motorhomes/  - to find what pressures they advise for your vehicles tyres..

I'm never sure why Motorhomes are run at the tyres maximum, usually 80psi, which gives a harsh ride and on many roads could dislodge your false teeth and certainly rattles the chassis with the hard tyres and no 'give'.

You need to know the front and rear axle weights (around £5 to use a local weighbridge) and the size and type of tyres you have before adjusting your tyre pressures.

Any guesswork will mean your tyres probably won't last as long and may wear unevenly.

With the tyres I have fitted - Continental (225/70 R 15C 112/110) - on my Pilote on a Ducato base and with front axle 1560kg and rear axle 1940kg, confirmed fully laden by a weighbridge, the recommended pressures are 47psi front and 61psi rear.

Michelin have always recommended the maximum pressure in their tyres, and many of you will continue to take their advice, but those who have actually weighed their vehicles and reduced pressures will know what a big difference to ride and comfort is achieved.

Hi everyone. Old thread I know but just tackling this dilemma with our new Malibu Van. The Malibu instruction manual provides the attached seemingly helpful table. Our tyres are the 225/75 R16 CP 116Q and the recommended pressures fully laden would be 3-3.5 bar (44-51psi) .... way lower than the Michellin guide for the rear which is recommending a silly high pressure for the rear. Tyresafe does as well. Is there something about the dynamics of a rear wheel in motion, sideways forces or the characteristics of these specialist 'camping' tyres etc. Ours is a PVC rather than coachbuilt. Does that make a difference? Call be confused. High pressures leads to a dreadful ride.

We also have a Carthago and the same tyres.  I have found that the best way of establishing the right pressures is to put the van into fighting trim and get it weighed.  You need to have 90% or above fuel, all the passengers you would normally carry, yourself, and the water tank filled to the maximum level you would normally travel with.  We travel with full water (170 Ltrs).  Make sure you have all the clothing and equipment on board that you would normally carry.  At your local weighbridge get two or three checks, the full weight, and front and rear axle, or just two and do a calculation.  Phone or email Michelin product support with the info and ask for recommended tyre pressures.  They are very helpful. 

Alternatively, also in full fighting trim, use the relatively low pressures you have quoted and drive for about 20 miles, park and place your hand against each tyre.  At ambient OAT they should be just comfortably warm, not cold and definitely not hot.  Heat is the biggest killer of tyres.  If hot add about 10 psi and repeat the test in about 10 miles.  Others may disagree but this is a well proven means of ensuring you are not running the tyres too soft.  

agree with the above, both our Cathagos came with Continental Vanco Camper CP 225/75 R 16 and i have been using Continentals own recomendations...

with this lighter Compactline, our axle weights are as per this respnse from Continental.

ContiVanco Camper 225/75 R16 (CP*) 116 R tyres.

Front Axle: 1600 Kg - 3.0 bar/ 43.5 psi (max weight for pressure given = 1730 kg)

Rear Axle: 1820 Kg - 3.75 bar/ 54.3 psi (max weight for pressure given = 1840 kg)

there are many threads all over the net re tyre pressures...it seems the default 80 psi is given to cover off the many who dont weigh and those who might be over.

my own opinion (and it is only that) is that, if axles are weighed and are representative, then the weight table used by Continental does the job nicely.