Hi, I have just read the messages on tyres and am a bit worried myself now.I have just ordered 2 front tyres for my Masterace.I have gone for the same size that were fitted to the vehical when I bought it.The tyre size is 195 60 14 86H on alloy wheels.Will these be ok.Thanks, Dave. - (#761) Dave Williams, 6 Aug 01
As long as the maximum inflation pressure exceeds your tyre pressure, you'll be OK - (#765) David Miller, 6 Aug 01
Hi,
Have any of you fitted 60 series tyres to your Townie?
Does it handle OK and what size did you fit. I plan to fit 205 60x14 on my Townie on the chrome steel wheels.
- (#3020) Bill Dickinson, 19 May 02
No, but whatever you fit Be care ful of the Load index. The townie is a heavy old bus, and most car tyres aren't strong enough- cheapies have a max inflation pressure of 34psi in some cases, and it'll handle like a greased eel on them Don't ask how I know...
Load index of around 90 is needed
- (#3027) david miller, 20 May 02
david.
you mention load index of around 90 required. how critical is this? i can get index of 88 @ reasonable price, but to go any higher the price jumps. is 88 close enough?
btw, how do you know what a greased eel handles like? ;-)
- (#3162) eddie arrowsmith, 27 May 02
Good Q. All you can do is check the maximum inflation pressure. If it's lower than or same as your tyre pressure, it's not good enough. e.g the van- rated tyres I've on now are 102LI, good for 850kg @65psi. The townie weighs around 1600kg with 60% to the front unladen (480kg). A car tyre that's about 80LI can take 450kg. NOT ENOUGH. 88LI gives you 560kg- that's OK.
Remember that all these are unladen (actually with driver)but an extra seven bodies is 500kg, perhaps 100 of those on each front wheel
HTH
- (#3168) David Miller, 28 May 02
92 townace super extra 2wd
the tyres fitted are 195 sr 14 not very good ones traction is very poor.
i want to change them for the winter
question .... has anyone fitted larger tyres and if so what..any recommendations?
- (#5844) RON COE, 17 Oct 02
Why do you want to fit larger tyres. It will change the speedo reading and gearing. In terms of grip try a quality tyre such as Mitchelins or Pirreli or one of the other branded tyres. I als find place like ATS usually can advise.
NUKe
- (#5845) NUKe, 17 Oct 02
I have recently bought a 1990 Royal Lounge with which we are well satisfied but we have a problem in that to park alongside our house we have to reverse up a short steep drive. I was unable to do so as the rear wheels repeatedly developed a wheel-spin. I have the tyres inflated to 2.3 bar and would like to know if I can safely reduce the pressure to give the tyres satisfactory grip? As a rule there will only be two people in the vehicle.
I would be grateful for your advice.
- (#5900) A.Eves, 21 Oct 02
First you should have started a new thread, although the same subject it's a different question.
Tyres and traction and the Townace. The Ace is much lighter at the back and reversing up a slope will be a problem. I had Yokohoma fitted to the back of my Spacecruiser, still there when I sold it with over 70,000 miles on them, before that I would often lose the back on tight corners in wet/icy weather, (no comments about London drivers thankyou), the fronts were what ever was going cheap and would last from 15 - 30,000. My Royal Lounge came with new Kumho budget tyres and are wearing rapidly at the front (and yes I have them up to the 38 psi limit of the tyre). So I guess the answer to buy the best for the back, and maybe a cheaper brand for the front. I would not lower the pressure in the back and risk overheating the tyres.
- (#5901) Clive, 22 Oct 02
further to my tyre question.
i meant a widr tyre which surely would not alter the speedo
- (#5902) ron coe, 22 Oct 02
Ronnie changing the width without changing the rim width will have the same affect as putting on a larger set of tyres and will change the shape and the handling characteristics of the tyres possibly for the worse the vehicle is designed for 195. If your sole reason is better grip go for a good quality tyre with a good water dispersal tread. Having only had the townie a couple of weeks I have to admit my comments are not based on Townies so someone may have found a good combination.
NUKe
- (#5903) NUKe, 22 Oct 02
sell it and buy a 4x4 :-)
- (#5904) david miller, 22 Oct 02
I have recently moved to Ireland and there is some confusion over the tyre size and rating for my Toyota masterace surf van 1991 2.0 turbo diesel 2wheel drive manual. I currently have original steel wheels with 185/70/14 tyres rated 88T. I am told that they should be 175/70/14 88H or reinforced tyres. No one seems sure and the local Toyota garage doesn`t know. Can Anyone shed some light on the situation.
- (#9095) gary drage, 15 Jun 03 18:34
Should be on the sticker on the drivers doorpost. But they can be fitted with anything from 175/80 to 205/70 depending on model. I went for 185/80s for quite a while.
They do need to be reinforced tho. Load Index 88 might even be on the low side if I recall. A laden townie has about 600kg on each front wheel. Add this fact to the need for a pressure of 2.5 bar and higher, and you're looking at a LI of 92- ish.
Don't worry about the speed rating, you'll never go fast enough for it to be an issue.
I've had good service out of Kumho semicommercials, Debicas out of Kwik-fit, and Uniroyal semicommercials.
DON'T get van tyres. They're noisy and don't stick as well as reinforced radials.
- (#9096) david miller, 16 Jun 03 0:59
BTW, where are you in Ireland? I'm near Belfast, nut there's owners scattered all over the island...
- (#9097) david miller, 16 Jun 03 1:00
Don't know about over there, but insurance companies don't like it if you don't meet the proper requirements like speed rating. You may never get there, but the speed rating must be complied with or the insurance is void - in Australia at least!
DaveW.
P.S. most tyres that fit will outdo the ratings and most shops should be able to advise you.
Passenger tyres will be quieter, grippier, and more comfortable, commercial tyres will be longer lasting.
Remember that the base vehicle is a commercial, but most of ours will never take the full load capacity in the back!
- (#9098) DaveW, 16 Jun 03 1:38
If anyone is interested in deciphering the writing on their tyres, check out this web page.
http://www.goodyear.co.uk/services/guides/tyretutor.html
dave Bright
- (#9099) dave Bright, 16 Jun 03 5:24
I am currently working in Dublin but live in Lough Duff Co.Cavan
- (#9179) gary Drage, 16 Jun 03 18:08
I need new tires for the 1990 masterace 2wd. There are two sets on it right now 175/70/14 and 185/70/14. I want to get all 4 the same, is one better than the other. I was also told that they dont have to be reinforced which of course is a lot cheaper for me, and I would rather go this way, but is it really necessary for them to be reinforced or not.
Thanks for any replies
- (#9420) Drew Davis, 1 Jul 03 5:56
I have 5 brand new very rare Uniroyal 205/65 x14 tyres that a tyre fitter friend has given me for my 4x4 Townie. My townie is currently fitted with 195/70 x 14 tyres. Will the 205/65 x14 fit and will they affect the handling and ride. My friend said that they are not a cheap tyre so it would be a shame to waste them because my current tyres are worn out remoulds.
- (#11908) Beth., 22 Nov 03 19:55
Should do. What does the sticker on the door post say?
I seem to recall there was a fitment for either 205 or 215s on the 4x4. Might "just" have clearance issues at full lock/ full suspension travel...
- (#11909) david miller, 23 Nov 03 3:25
I have 205/70 R14 tyres, and they work fine. I have checked the / R14 and there is a 1% difference in the speedo reading. When the speedo reads 60 the actual speed is 59.4, so there are no issues there. That leaves the load index.
- (#11910) dave Bright, 23 Nov 03 4:08
Sorry, that last post went a bit wonkey when the cat walked over the keyboard. It should have read;
I have 205/70 R14 tyres, and they work fine. I have checked the 205/65 R14 and there is a 1% difference in the speedo reading. When the speedo reads 60 the actual speed is 59.4, so there are no issues there. That leaves the speed and load index. Mine are 95H
95 is the load index, and will support up to 690 Kgs on each wheel.
H refers to the speed index, and is safe up to 130 MPH
You can check this info on this address. http://www.goodyear.co.uk/services/guides/loadindex.html
- (#11911) dave Bright, 23 Nov 03 4:55
Thanks for the info lads. I have gone ahead and fitted the Uniroyals to the Townie and I have noticed that cornering has improved but the ride is a little harder over speed bumps or uneven ground. I have also noticed less roll during sharp turns.
- (#6909) Beth, 5 Dec 03 15:54