OT - trailer tyres on cars

[jonhutchings]

Sorry no series 2 content so please remove if not appropriate.

I have acquired a reliant Kitten (no laughing) . To make it move about, amongst other things I need some new tyres and managed to get some trailer tyres of the correct size (10inch original mini wheels). Given the difficultly of getting car tyres for 10inch wheels these days (typically they seem to be expensive brands which will more than double the value of the car for 4) whereas trailer tyres which appear to be the correct speed/load rating are cheap and common.

So my question is, whilst is may not be advisable, is it actually illegal to drive a car fitted with trailer tyres on the road, given that the weight of the vehicle is well within the load rating etc?

 

[Alan Drover]

Put MOT Testers' Manual, tyres, into a search engine and take a look (it's section 5). That will tell you all about weight and speed restrictions. I suspect it will be illegal because of the speed.  You could try Vintage Tyres at Beaulieu Motor Museum and Bicester for suitable Mini tyres.
A Robin with an extra front wheel then.

[w3526602]

Hi,

I assume that your tyres are marked as TRAILER tyres.

If you ever make an insurance claim, the Assessor will arrive with a tyre tread depth gauge in his hand. Your tyres will be the first thing he looks at. Illegal tyres? He will get back into his car. END OF.

I suspect that insurance application forms include a question about whether you have ever been declined insurance, or had special terms imposed. I think there are also questions about your Criminal History.(They probably already know both answers.)

I think TYRE RELATED convictions are also recorded on your licence, in code, as are declared disabilities. Plod will know all about you, before he pulls you over.

602 (with one conviction ... exceeding 40mph in a 1959 Mini-VAN ... limited to 40mph. Clocked at 80mph, pleaded NOT GUILTY, but found GUILTY. Fined £2. The Beaks apologised for having to endorse my licence).

[w3526602]

PS.

That was in 1964, and before the introduction of the blanket 70mph limit.

602

[Alan Drover]

The maximum speed on a motorway for a car towing a trailer is 60mph but a Reliant Kitten is capable of faster speeds and will require correctly rated speed tyres which will be higher than that of a tyre designed specifically for trailers. It's not worth the risk and as 602 states any accident with those tyres will render your insurance invalid.

[jonhutchings]

The point about insurance is very valid, it was the fact that they are clearly marked as for trailer use that made me ask the question. I'm not actually proposing using them on the road was just interested to know what the legality was - it was really a cheap way of making it easier to move around the workshop without having to pump up the rotten tyres every time (it's not moved since 1997 until I picked up). 4 good quality brand new trailer tyres were less £100  inc VAT from the local tyre place. Cheapest car tyre (Camac) I could find online or locally was £55 + VAT each.

As a point of note even though the maximum speed legally for trailer towing is 60mph, these tyres are rated to 87mph/140kph. (speed letter N) . I'd not want to drive a Kitten at 87mph!

I'll put it on proper tyres when it's rebuilt, and the trailer tyres will not be wasted since I have a trailer which uses the same size tyres.

Thanks for all the responses

[w3526602]

Hi again,

There is also something in my mind about insurance proposal forms asking if you have ever had a CLAIM or PROPOSAL declined, or special conditions imposed. Again, they probably know already, and are only asking just in case there is something else that they don't know about.

I'd guess that they'd "mark your card" if they catch you in a lie.

602
I have always managed to keep my insurance history "squeaky clean" ... two claims in 59 years, with my car having been stationary both times.

[GlenAnderson]

I have a little Dutch microcar that also runs 10" tyres, and I have had to run through the same issue. The conclusion I came to is that anything marked "trailer use only" is going to be a problem. There is also the issue that trailer tyres all have significantly higher load ratings than you would want for a car, and will likely have unpleasant road manners in a lightweight car.

I ended up with Nankang TR-10 145/80R10 tyres, in 69 S flavour, from Oponeo at £47 each, delivered.

My personal issue was/is complicated by the fact that the standard tyres for my little car are 4.00 crossplies, and I will have to do some work making the necessary clearances to fit the bigger radials, but they should go straight on your Kitten.

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Incidentally, I've always had a bit of a soft spot for the Kitten, it'd be interesting to see how you get on with it.