possibly if you also state the total weight of the van and the full spec of the tyres, ie load index number shown after the size on the side wall, and how many tyres, two or four
Cheers
I know MTPW is 1500kg and it's a single axle. The caravan is in storage which is quite a distance away so I was hoping someone would have a handbook so that I could go there armed with the info to check the tyre before setting off.
From your comment, I take it there is a formula for working tyre pressures out, if you could advise me of this it would save me a trip as I also work weird hours and am unsure when I could next get to the 'van?
Off the top of my head I would guess at 40-45 psi, but wanted to be sure.
Separate issue (sort of), I have a 'space saver' type spare in my Ford Focus (not my towcar) which it is recommended to inflate to 65psi (handbook spec). Both my inflator and separate gauge have a max pressure reading of 50psi. Do garage forecourt inflators go higher?
Quote: Originally posted by TCC Rallyman on 05/6/2011Can anyone tell me the recommended tyre pressures for a Burstner TS500, Tyre size is 205/60 15
Is that an S500TS? If it is, I have one of those, circa 2005. For the original fitment tyres (205/65 R15?) - 48psi.
Burstner also say, in the handbook, that you should expect tyre pressure to increase by about 4psi (IIRC, they actually said about 30kPa which is equivalent) between cold and hot.
AndrewK
Yes it is an 'S' Class 500TS although the weights/tyres are the same for the 'E' Class as well. Mine's a 2004 model.
michael
Yes it does and it also confirms AndrewK's figure. The .pdf file however does raise another question, if the 'van is not fully loaded, say to 1441kg can I inflate tyres to 44psi (as stated) or do I still have to go to the 'fully laden' figure?
arc systems
Sorry, I misread the tyre size in the brochure, it is 205/65 x 15
Thanks for all the help. I had pumped tyres to 42psi last time I was at the 'van, now I know what pressure to inflate them to next time I travel.
Quote: Originally posted by TCC Rallyman on 06/6/2011The .pdf file however does raise another question, if the 'van is not fully loaded, say to 1441kg can I inflate tyres to 44psi (as stated) or do I still have to go to the 'fully laden' figure?
Tyres run hotter if the inflation pressure is reduced. As a general rule, that's not a good idea. I'd stick with the fully laden figure - unless the pressure rise between cold and hot is less than 4psi. If it is less than that, maybe you can afford to reduce the pressure a little - otherwise, leave it at 48psi.
The ideal pressure is the one that suits the actual weight of the van, there is no benefit, infact, it's detrimental to over inflate.
However, if your unsure then use the higher pressure as this the the lesser of the two evils?
I hope that makes sense? basically the tyres add to the overall suspension, not then good to run them harder than required, but, better that than to run them far too soft causing them to overheat.
Quote: Originally posted by arc systems on 07/6/2011The ideal pressure is the one that suits the actual weight of the van
I agree completely, but the problem lies in finding out what that is. The manufacturers figure will, almost always, be the best compromise for a fully loaded caravan fitted with the original tyres or an identical replacement - but many folks either don't have the original handbook or the tyres have been changed to a reinforced type with a stiffer carcass, which will run hotter for the same tyre pressure than a car type tyre.
The best starting point is to read the Tyresafe document linked to earlier in the thread and do what it says.
The most accurate way that I know, to get tyre pressure spot on is to buy a tyre pyrometer and adjust tyre pressures so that the temperature all the way across the tread is the same when the tyres are hot. This ensures that the tyre is sitting flat on the tarmac, as it should. No one, other than racing folks, will actually do this because tyre pyrometers are expensive - and you'd only use it once.
The only other accurate way that I know of is to use what is known as the "4psi rule". The underlying principle, is that your tyres will be running at the right temperature if the the difference in pressure between cold and hot is 4psi after an hours driving at motorways speeds. If the rise is less than 4psi then you've too much air in the tyre. If it is more than 4psi then your tyres are running too hot and you need to put some more air in.
The 4psi rule works for any vehicle, any tyre and any loading. I have tried it twice. On my Burstner caravan - it demonstrated that 48psi inflation pressure is about right. On my Nissan Patrol, it showed that the manufacturers rear tyre pressures are too high and that, solo, I should reduce the pressure to 28psi. It confirmed what I already knew, as inflated to 32 psi, the rears wear more in the middle. The Nissan figure is for the fully loaded vehicle - but it's the only figure on the door pillar. Thge 4psi rule also confirmed that I need to increase the rears to about 34psi when towing.
Another advantage of using the 4psi rule is that your tyre pressure gauge doesn't need to be highly accurate - just to read consistently. You can read more about the "4 psi rule" by Googling it.
I would agree with you, I first read of this 4psi rule on Australian forums and it does seem at first to make sense.
What worries me though is road surface temperature?, don't see how this can remain a constant and otherwise must affect the results?
erm, this seems to be getting a little technical for a caravan, especially when reading up on the pyrometers. I think I'll work on the assumption of 48psi and keep pressure above 46psi. I would 'expect' max heat rise to be on drive wheels and at higher speeds than when 'I' tow, so hopefully, particularly as long dives are rather rare, the 'heat rise' shouldn't be too much of an issue.
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Topic: Burstner TS500 Tyre Pressures
