Tyres advice

Open_road! · Feb 15, 2024

Some time ago I got carried away with some slinky looking wheels for our cali, but my choice of tyres has let me down……. It’s running on nexen 255/45/18’s and I’ve spent a few years struggling to pull away when one or other of the water/waste tanks are full are full and my hobbies of choice generally land me in a grassy/muddy field with the worry of needing to get a tow out by the end of the weekend (never actually happened but that’s down to more luck than judgement!!)….. I don’t give a hoot about road noise, just need some traction…… any advice gratefully received!!!

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Californication69 · Feb 15, 2024

Open_road! said:
Some time ago I got carried away with some slinky looking wheels for our cali, but my choice of tyres has let me down……. It’s running on nexen 255/45/18’s and I’ve spent a few years struggling to pull away when one or other of the water/waste tanks are full are full and my hobbies of choice generally land me in a grassy/muddy field with the worry of needing to get a tow out by the end of the weekend (never actually happened but that’s down to more luck than judgement!!)….. I don’t give a hoot about road noise, just need some traction…… any advice gratefully received!!!

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How much money do you want to spend ?

Open_road! · Feb 15, 2024

Californication69 said:
How much money do you want to spend ?

It’s becoming a bit of an issue so if it brings back my confidence in going off a major a road in it anytime between October and April
…. Then it’ll be worth it!!!

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scottk · Feb 16, 2024

Michelin agilis cross climate van is supposed to be excellent. More aggressive than the cross climate 2.

JuanVecino2023 · Feb 16, 2024

Have you considered Falken Wildpeaks?

They would be my preferred choice of boots for road noise/traction/MPG.

Ask @Webbah_in_Switzerland - he has the experience!

CaliforniaPhil · Feb 16, 2024

scottk said:
Michelin agilis cross climate van is supposed to be excellent. More aggressive than the cross climate 2.

If he wanted to keep his rims, he would have to go with cross climate 2. Agilis only come in 15",16"and 17" sizes.

ThomasHJ · Feb 16, 2024

Without wanting to hijack the OP's thread, does anyone know what the difference is between the 3 different types of Michelin Agilis Cross Climate tyres? I see all of these mentioned online but no comparisons. Any personal experiences with the Van or Camping version? Or are Van and Camping the same thing in this case?

Michelin Agilis Crossclimate
Michelin Agilis Crossclimate Van (mentioned in this thread)
Michelin Agilis Crossclimate Camping

WelshGas · Feb 16, 2024

ThomasHJ said:
Without wanting to hijack the OP's thread, does anyone know what the difference is between the 3 different types of Michelin Agilis Cross Climate tyres? I see all of these mentioned online but no comparisons. Any personal experiences with the Van or Camping version? Or are Van and Camping the same thing in this case?

Michelin Agilis Crossclimate
Michelin Agilis Crossclimate Van (mentioned in this thread)
Michelin Agilis Crossclimate Camping

Well the last one, Camping, only available in 15" and 16".

Californication69 · Feb 16, 2024

Open_road! said:
It’s becoming a bit of an issue so if it brings back my confidence in going off a major a road in it anytime between October and April
…. Then it’ll be worth it!!!

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Here’s my rub.
Suits my lifestyle.
Oct to April. Continental Winter Contact 255/45r18 on my Palmerstons for low road noise, and snow and low temperatures. Also for Europe work.
April to Sept, Tomahawk Kato’s with 1250Kg load rating with Michelin Agilis cross climate 235/70r17 118 load rating.
For spring/ summer / autumn camping wet fields, grass, and anything it wants to throw at me.
Expensive but should last me around 8 years now as sharing my 10k p.a. Mileage.
You pays your money and makes your choices.

BTW, been there with AT tyres and they are LOUD.
BFG & Comforser 235/65r17’s

ThomasHJ · Feb 16, 2024

WelshGas said:
Well the last one, Camping, only available in 15" and 16".

Thanks @WelshGas I will do some more reading. Our van came with tyres and winter tyres and to be honest I don;t know all that much about 'm and although I like th elook of people's vans with wider and larger tyres, I honestly have no idea what the differences are between say 15, 16, 17 or 18 inch tyres (other then their size). Will research some more and maybe come back with a new thread and many questions about tyres. ;-)

WelshGas · Feb 16, 2024

ThomasHJ said:
Thanks @WelshGas I will do some more reading. Our van came with tyres and winter tyres and to be honest I don;t know all that much about 'm and although I like th elook of people's vans with wider and larger tyres, I honestly have no idea what the differences are between say 15, 16, 17 or 18 inch tyres (other then their size). Will research some more and maybe come back with a new thread and many questions about tyres. ;-)

The vast majority of UK Californias come with 17" wheels. The SE and Ocean have larger front brakes so minimum wheel size is 17" . I believe the basic Beach came with standard front brakes so could have 16" wheels.
VW approved wheel sizes 16,17,18, if fitted with VW approved tyre sizes all have the same diameter/circumference so the larger wheel + tyre will have lower side walls and different tyre pressures.

B J G · Feb 16, 2024

Open_road! said:
Some time ago I got carried away with some slinky looking wheels for our cali, but my choice of tyres has let me down……. It’s running on nexen 255/45/18’s and I’ve spent a few years struggling to pull away when one or other of the water/waste tanks are full are full and my hobbies of choice generally land me in a grassy/muddy field with the worry of needing to get a tow out by the end of the weekend (never actually happened but that’s down to more luck than judgement!!)….. I don’t give a hoot about road noise, just need some traction…… any advice gratefully received!!!

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As a proven fit by many Cali owners with all wheel sizes the Michelin CrossClimate will suit all normal on and off road use.

There other alternatives but for a proven straight tyre replacement with only the cost being an initial negative

example source