It is very important to inflate your tyres to the correct pressures for your safety, stability of your van and fuel economy. Tyre pressures should be checked each time before using your van.
To determine the appropriate tyre inflation, you must know the tyre loading. Contact the tyre manufacturer, distributor or retailer and obtain their printed “Load Inflation Table“(LIT) applicable to your tyre.
The following handy rule / formula is applicable to determine the correct pressure if you cannot obtain the LIT for your tyre size.
Actual Tyre Load (times) Maximum pressure stamped on tyre (divided by) Maximum tyre load as stamped on tyre
An example based on a single axle 16ftVan
Confirmed weighbridge weight, fully loaded for a caravanning holiday is 1450kg
Single axle means that the load on each tyre would be 725kg. (If it was a tandem axle you would divide the weighbridge weight by 4 to determine the load on each wheel)
Info from tyre on van- Max pressure 65psi, Max tyre load 950kgs
(ATL) 725 kg x (MP) 65psi = 49.60psi- (Target tyre pressure)
Divide by (MTL) 950kg
This calculation is accurate to within 2 psi when compared to “Load Inflation Tables”
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If you wish to check that you have the correct pressures in your van tyres you may choose to do the following: