View unanswered posts | View active topics It is currently Sun Feb 20, 2011 3:41 pm



Reply to topic  [ 22 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
 15" or 16" Wheels? 
Author Message
Junior Member

Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2010 2:48 pm
Posts: 6
Post 15" or 16" Wheels?
Howdy All
I have recently bought an off road caravan, which is fitted with 15” wheels, the compliance plate is labeled as having 16” wheels. A mate of mine thinks I should change back to 16” wheels, so the van rides a lot smoother over rough gravel roads, as well as gaining a bit more clearance. My question is, would it make that much difference? The van is a single axle, the tow vehicle has 16” wheels but different stud pattern, so will not be interchangeable anyway.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Cheers Greg


Wed Jan 26, 2011 4:23 pm
Profile
Senior Member

Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:07 pm
Posts: 816
Location: Port Stephens NSW
Post Re: 15" or 16" Wheels?
G'day Greg,

If you change to 16inch rims you will only raise the height by 12.5mm / 1/2inch.

This may not seem a great deal, however by doing this you will actually increase the load carrying capacity of of your wheels. i.e I have a single axle van and did this on my van, and gained a significant increase in the load rating for each wheel.

I have 16inch steel rims that are rated for 1200kg each, and run BFG All Terrains that are 235/85 x 16 which have a load rating of 120/116 S (120 = 1400kg / 116 = 1250kg S = Speed rating 180kph), and cold pressure load capacity of 1380 kg @ 80psi, I run 70psi in them as my van weighs in at 2000kg. It rides extremely good.

If you talk to your local tyre dealer they may be able to show you the specs on the different rims and also the tyres ratings as well.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

PeterM

_________________
Tug: 2006 4.2 TD Nissan Patrol Cab Chassis, GVM upgrade, Service body.
Van: 2006 Concept Xpack 16' Single axle.


Wed Jan 26, 2011 4:42 pm
Profile
Senior Member

Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:07 pm
Posts: 816
Location: Port Stephens NSW
Post Re: 15" or 16" Wheels?
Greg, it doesn't cost a great deal to change the brake drums on the van to match the vehicle stud patterns.

Cheers,

PeterM.

_________________
Tug: 2006 4.2 TD Nissan Patrol Cab Chassis, GVM upgrade, Service body.
Van: 2006 Concept Xpack 16' Single axle.


Wed Jan 26, 2011 5:33 pm
Profile
Senior Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2007 6:26 am
Posts: 2591
Location: Aldinga Beach SA (in the Fleurieu peninsula)99 Mistubishi Challenger, 1980 Jayco Songbird 15' poptop
Post Re: 15" or 16" Wheels?
G'day greg,
Firstly, welcome to the forum
Is your van new, if not did you het it from a dealer, as I believe you may have some come back on the dealer who has sold you a van with the wrong weels on. If the compliance plate states it should have 16" wheels I would be contacting the RAA (in our case in SA) and getting them to help.
Frank

_________________
Catch you......Out there
Frank and Brenda
BLOGS
http://www.adelaidetoperthviadarwin.blogspot.com
http://www.tassietour.blogspot.com


Wed Jan 26, 2011 6:00 pm
Profile
Senior Member

Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:31 am
Posts: 1074
Post Re: 15" or 16" Wheels?
Changing from 15" to 16" may not make any difference to the height of the wheel or rolling circumfrence - it's the size of the rubber that makes the difference.

I'd stay with 15" wheels, they have more give in the sidewalls to absorb bumps


Wed Jan 26, 2011 6:52 pm
Profile
Senior Member

Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:07 pm
Posts: 816
Location: Port Stephens NSW
Post Re: 15" or 16" Wheels?
Sean wrote:
I'd stay with 15" wheels, they have more give in the sidewalls to absorb bumps


What evidence do you have to support that theory?

Example: If you have a 235/75x16, and a 235/75x15, the sidewalls are the same. The 235 is the width of the tyre across the tread section and the 75 is the sidewall measurement which is 75% of the width. 60 is 60%, 50 is 50% and so on...

PeterM.

_________________
Tug: 2006 4.2 TD Nissan Patrol Cab Chassis, GVM upgrade, Service body.
Van: 2006 Concept Xpack 16' Single axle.


Wed Jan 26, 2011 7:51 pm
Profile
Junior Member

Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2010 2:48 pm
Posts: 6
Post Re: 15" or 16" Wheels?
Thanks for the welcome and replies. The van is 13 years old, 1280kgs I think. I would gain about 35mm in height if I put 16s on. The 15” rims and tyres are new, put on by previous owner to fit under low carport.
Greg


Wed Jan 26, 2011 9:06 pm
Profile
Senior Member

Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:31 am
Posts: 1074
Post Re: 15" or 16" Wheels?
peterm wrote:
Sean wrote:
I'd stay with 15" wheels, they have more give in the sidewalls to absorb bumps


What evidence do you have to support that theory?

Example: If you have a 235/75x16, and a 235/75x15, the sidewalls are the same. The 235 is the width of the tyre across the tread section and the 75 is the sidewall measurement which is 75% of the width. 60 is 60%, 50 is 50% and so on...

PeterM.


The evidence I give is that in your example you've chosen 2 tyres of the same profile.

If however you choose to tyres of the same outside size and fitted these to 15" and 16" rims the ones on the 15" rims will have a wider sidewall, more give, and take more of the bumps out for the caravan.


Thu Jan 27, 2011 6:03 am
Profile
Junior Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:17 am
Posts: 5
Location: South Coast SA
Post Re: 15" or 16" Wheels?
Ive just been threw this with my van and after talking to the authority and trying to read the AS came to the conclusion that if you have a compliance plate that states a tyre size that's what you should run or risk insurance problems.


Thu Jan 27, 2011 8:18 am
Profile
Senior Member

Joined: Sat Jun 26, 2010 10:23 am
Posts: 539
Location: Traralgon /vic
Post Re: 15" or 16" Wheels?
I agree if the compliance plate says one thing and you change sizes you may find insurance wise you mat not be covered if anything goes worng


Thu Jan 27, 2011 8:48 am
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Reply to topic   [ 22 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot], ptnuske and 5 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to: