Tyre size on 15 inch BRM rims

Hi,
I wonder if any members have some thoughts on the best tyre size for my van, which is a Brazilian in 15 inch BRM rims and slightly lowered by Danbury(1 inch I think)?
It currently has 185/60 tyres all round and were too close to the rear arches due to the offset, which I’ve had rolled so have about 1cm clearance. Due to the lowering and negative camber, I think the clearance could be less when the spring is compressed.
I think the current tyre profile is making the gearing to too low.
Any thoughts what taller size of tyre will give sufficient clearance of the tubs and arches on the lowered suspension?
Help appreciated!

 

185 65 R 15 work fine on my slightly lowered bay with 15" fuchs, which are fitted with adaptor plates which push them out a further 25mm

 

Great reflection in the photo, looks like you are sat on an invisible chair or snapping one off

 

Can you post a photo, when you have a chance please, Paul?

 

Wheel.
Gap.

 

No, they won't. See my for sale ads. Bang, bang, thump, more fillings and a new spine please.

 

I too have 195/70/15 on the same rims and spacers as @Baysearcher shows in his picture up there. It's quite tight but gives about 5+mm clearance.

 

If it’s clear of the arch when static I can’t see how it would get any closer when the wheel moves up and down as you’re driving..?

put some heavy people in the back and drive over some bumps to test it.

If the tyre is catching the arch then the correct fix is to get some wheels with the right offset.

 

Btw a 185/60 15 has a much smaller rolling radius vs a stock tyre

If you’re going to deviate from factory wheels and tyres it’s a good idea to keep the rear at least same rolling radius so you don’t mess up the gearing.

 

Hey, thanks for all this great advice!
I thought that with some negative camber, as the spring compressed, it would become closer to the metalwork of the wheel arch. I don’t really want to change the rims if poss.
Ideally I’d have liked to go for 185/70x15 but fear they’d be too tall. The 65 or on file could be an acceptable compromise. Any eyes on the weight ratings for T2 tyres as none of these weeks to be available to commercial load specification?
Would an 88 be ok? The highest rating I can find is 92.
Above advice much appreciated, thanks again

 

The tyres must be capable of supporting the gross vehicle weight. Where there is a separate load quoted for each axle then the tyres must support at least that load. For example a '76 type2 Combi has a max front axle load of 1010kgs (505kgs/wheel) and therefore a minimum Load Index of 85 is required. On the rear the gross axle load is 1300kgs (650kgs/wheel) and therefore a minimum Load Index of 93 is required at normal working pressure. Mine are 195/70/15C and have a load index of 101 and are 8 ply. Don't forget a 93 minimum is just that, no margin for loading error (extra beer), cornering, or missed under inflation. Lots of people run car tyres you will very likely only ever find out how wrong this is if you get stopped by VOSA and they give you a ticket or worse you loose a tyre and the insurance company inspect the vehicle and decline to pay the claim, making you uninsured. Interestingly, unless it has changed load rating is not an MOT requirement.
The basic thing to remember is, it's a van. A light commercial and should have light commercial tyres.

 

These days there's XL rated tyres that are used on the big heavy SUV style vehicles, such as the VW Tuareg. A Tuareg and a Bay a very similar in size. These tyres have more plys and probably what I'll got for next on my 15's. The PO has 55's on the front of mine, I may go up a few sizes and see if the look is ok and ride less harsh. The 55's do look great

 

I assume they have a higher load rating than a standard "car" tyre though? We have an SUV and I've never thought to look at the load rating.

 

Generally speaking, yes and more plys, I can't find an XL tyre, for lower profile tyres like a 55 but they exist for 65's and usually have a higher load rating than the non XL tyres of the same profile.

 

I guess then so long as it exceeds a 93 rating it should be ok. Perhaps XL tyres are somewhere between car and commercial. That means a whole new range of sizes in appropriate load ratings is now available.
I've just checked our Tiguan and it has 99 load rating SUV tyres.

 

These are at the more expensive end of the market and are 92 rated, I am thinking about the front tyres, my rears are different again. I am not keen on the tread pattern, but there are plenty of options.




https://www.protyre.co.uk/car-help-advice/tyre-care/what-does-xl-mean-on-a-tyre

 

I've been through this as I used to have 88 load rated continental car tyres on mine.

I then got some 92 load rated reinforced conti 185 65 R15s.

I've been on a weigh bridge to check my actual weight was OK for the tyres. It is

If you search the forum for 'weigh bridge' or 'the great tyre and weight debate' then you'll probably find my bus weight.

Went to a weigh bridge

 

Did the weigh bridge do axel weights or a total weight?

The loading differs front to back, I'm guessing an engine, gear box and tank of fuel weighs more than a couple of people up front. Accepting that some people run different sizes front to back you could have a lower rated tyre up front.