When it comes to choosing the best van tyres for your van it depends on a range of factors including the sort of load to be carried, the size of your van, seasonality, and the amount of mileage you do. The best van tyres are the ones that will most closely suit your needs and minimise any tyre related downtime to keep your van on the road.
Premium van tyres tend to be subject to additional testing from industry bodies and motoring magazines that cover braking in all conditions, handling, aquaplaning and cabin noise – therefore the competition amongst this segment tends to be high. Many of the technologies implemented in these tyres are generally built on years of experience from motorsport that influence the passenger and van tyre design.
Overall, premium tyres are designed with high-quality materials and technologies designed to improve the fuel economy, handling, wear, and lifespan of the tyre along with the following benefits:
High mileage and fuel efficiency for economical driving
A high performance tyre for unpredictable winter weather
In the UK the minimum legal tread for vans that are up to 3.5 tonnes or passenger vehicles with up to 8 seats is 1.6mm. For vans over 3.5 tonnes or vehicles with more than 8 passenger seats, there is a legal tread minimum of 1mm. Due to these laws, it is essential to monitor tread at regular intervals using a gauge and visual checks on the tyre itself. Choosing a van tyre with durable tread will mean:
The markings on the sidewall of van tyres are similar to markings that are visible on passenger tyres – however, van tyres also include a C mark meaning it is designed for use on commercial vehicles. Some van tyres will also have the following marks:
RF - Reinforced
XL – Extra Load
Although van tyres are designed to be durable to cope with the demands of modern van driving such as high mileage and harsh road conditions it is essential to complete checks and tyre maintenance at regular intervals to help prolong the lifespan and maintain the drive characteristics/safety you’re used to:
Further tips and advice for maintaining your tyres are available in our guide to tyres.
