Picking the right fleet tyres can be a tough choice for many fleet managers. Not only is choosing the right tyre important to maintaining a safe and roadworthy fleet, but the type of tyre chosen can also have a serious impact on a business’s bottom line. In fact, it’s estimated that one-third of a fleet’s maintenance budget is taken up by tyres.
This article will discuss all aspects of buying van tyres: how they differ from car tyres, what you should consider before choosing a brand and the van tyre options available to you.
Van Tyres vs. Car Tyres
Before we discuss van tyres in detail, it’s important to first understand how they differ from the average car tyre. Car tyres should not be used on a business van.
Unlike car tyres, van tyres have higher load ratings, a stronger rubber compound and require higher PSIs. This is because business vans are larger, carry heavier loads and are typically driven more frequently.
Read more: How Can Trackers on Vans Save You Money?
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What to Consider Before Buying
When determining the best van tyres for your fleet, you first need to pinpoint the exact needs of your vehicles. The way your vans are used will determine the type of tyre they need.
Things to consider before investing in fleet tyres are:
- The average payload
- The expected distance to be traveled
- The type of terrain
- The amount of traffic in the area being serviced
- The most common weather conditions
Once you’ve determined the type of van tyres you need, you can begin comparing the various brands on the market.
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Premium vs. Mid-Range vs. Budget Tyres
Choosing the best van tyres for your fleet isn’t as simple as picking the most cost-effective option. There are three main categories of van tyres to choose from: premium, mid-range and budget tyres.
Below is an overview of each type of tyre, including popular brands that fall within each category.
Premium
As the name suggests, premium van tyres cost the most upfront. However, they typically perform the best over time and will last longer than less expensive tyres.
Premium tyres have been more thoroughly researched and developed. They’re able to be retreaded multiple times and are more durable overall. So although premium van tyres cost more upfront, they have the potential to save your business money in the long-run.
Popular premium van tyre brands include:
- Michelin
- Bridgestone
- Goodyear
- Continental
- Dunlop
Read more: how van check sheets can improve your van safety
Mid-Range
Mid-range tyres are less expensive than premium tyres, and the quality is typically still very good. However, mid-range tyres often do not feature the latest technology, which is how they can be sold at a lower price.
According to FleetNews, buying a mid-range tyre often means getting a branded tyre from the same companies that manufacture premium tyres, just at a cheaper price.
With that in mind, mid-range van tyres are a good compromise for fleets that want the peace of mind of driving on good-quality tyres but aren’t concerned with utilising the latest technology.
Popular mid-range van tyre brands include:
- Firestone
- Uniroyal
- Kumho
- Cooper
- BF Goodrich
Budget
Budget tyres are the most affordable option upfront, but they’re also the poorest quality. Although you’ll be paying less money for the tyres initially, they will need to be replaced more frequently than premium or mid-range tyres would. Therefore, budget tyres could actually wind up costing you more in the long run.
Moreover, budget tyres can’t withstand as much wear and tear as higher end models and are more easily damaged. This could not only cost you more money over time, but it may also make a van unsafe to drive until the tyres can be replaced.
Popular budget van tyre brands include:
- Dayton
- Autogreen
- Rovelo
- Tigar
- Minerva
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Other types of tyres
Small panel tyres
Small panel vans are compact and are meant for use in busy towns. These light commercial vehicles also have strong tyres to support transporting heavy payloads. A great example of a small panel tyre is the Bridgestone Turanza T005 Driveguard, ideal for vans like Mercedes Citan and Ford Transit Connect.
Large panel tyres
These vans have significantly higher cargo volumes and larger payloads than the small panel commercial vehicles. As such, you need to ensure you have more robust tyres like Bridgestone Duravis R660 and Goodyear EfficientGrip.
Box van tyres
Renault Master and other box vans require van tyres with a higher ply rating than small panel vans. The higher volume capacity requires appropriately reinforced tyres with a high load rating. Popular best van tyres options here include Michelin Agilis CrossClimate and Continental Van Contact Eco.
When Should You Replace Your Van Tyres?
It is essential to regularly inspect your best van tyres to ensure your van is always roadworthy and safe to use. Here are a few considerations when inspecting your tyres:
- Check for uneven wear and tear on the tyres
- Ensure all tyres have the ideal air pressure (as indicated by the manufacturer)
- There should not be any cracks or bulges on the tyres
- Check that you have a minimum tread of 1.6mm all around your tyres
Even though the UK has a legal requirement of 1.6mm tyre tread, anything below 3mm may be risky. Using the best van tyres is essential as it improves handling, reduces fuel consumption, increases grip, and guarantees optimal stopping time.
Besides ensuring that you are using the best van tyres available, investing in a fleet tracking system for your commercial business is also beneficial. Vimcar leverages fleet management technology and expertise to ensure that your operations are fully optimised for profitability and efficiency. Contact us today for more information.
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Choosing the Best Van Tyres for Your Fleet
There are a number of factors to consider when selecting the appropriate van tyres for your fleet. The average payload, distance traveled and terrain will affect your choice, as well as the cost.
However, when deciding between premium, mid-range and budget tyres, it’s important to consider how much a tyre will cost you in the long-run as well as its initial price.
In addition to choosing a fleet’s tyres, there are so many more tasks a vehicle fleet manager is responsible for. If you need help managing your fleet — whether it be optimising routes, tracking vehicles or logging mileage — Vimcar can help. Contact us today to learn how we can make managing a fleet so much easier.
