Towing a caravan

[weltidave]

Greetings, having recently purchased my "Diesel Tintop" I have read the manual and discovered that all four tyres are 195/70 R15, the book saying that the rear tyres should be 215.

1) Is this acceptable
2) Am I OK towing a caravan Gross weight 1500Kg
3) If so what is the recommended tyre pressure increase for front and rear tyres

All advice greatfully received

Regards Dave

[Triple/R]

Greetings, having recently purchased my "Diesel Tintop" I have read the manual and discovered that all four tyres are 195/70 R15, the book saying that the rear tyres should be 215.

1) Is this acceptable
2) Am I OK towing a caravan Gross weight 1500Kg
3) If so what is the recommended tyre pressure increase for front and rear tyres

All advice greatfully received

Regards Dave

Eyup Dave & welcome ~~that's quite a weighty caravan~what is it a Hymer or similiar~you can tow (legally) 85% of the weight of your Bongo,having said that my lad tow's a 1400kg with his Ranger (2.5 Diesel) it tows no problem,but of course come to a good incline then you obviously don't fly up.

My caravan is around 1000KG & it tow's a treat~~yours is capable but don't be dissapointed when it slows down quite a lot going uphill~~i think you'll find your right on the limit with your weight.

[Muzorewa]

You should definitely have 215/65R15 on the back or all round.

[Northern Bongolow]

tyre sizes really depends on whether its a 4x4 or 2 wheel drive.the size doesnt really matter for towing,its the load rating that matters.the 85 per cent rule isnt law,its just an industry guide.the only law is the stated capacity on the tow hitch and ball,usually about 70kg.this is the downward force on the towbar and hitch,this is the one that the boys in blue check.

[weltidave]

Thanks to all for the replies, all very helpful. The bongo is 4wd and the hitch weight quoted in the manual of 75kg is the one I intended to observe. I can only guess that the importer put 195 size tyres all round to save on the cost. I will wait until tyres are needed and then reinstate the 215 size to the rear. Can anyone suggest the right tyre pressure increase (if any) for towing? 2.4 bar is quoted for the size 215 rear tyres, would this be somewhere near?
Regards Dave

[Northern Bongolow]

as you say its a 4x4,please make sure you follow the does and donts regarding tyre sizes,you could end up winding up the transmission,or taking out a diff.
loads of info on here.search for tyres/wheel sizes on a 4x4.

[Bongoplod]

My 1st Bongo was a 2.5td 4wd tintop,and I towed a 1 and 1/4 ton caravan, (1225kg) with absolutely no problems.

Think I had 38psi on all 4 wheels,which were the same size

Brian