Force Tempo Traveller tyre size by wheelbase

Traveller tyre size by wheelbase

The four digit number in the name is the wheelbase in mm. Some listings show the 4020 on 215/75 R15, so a van may have either size depending on its build. Before ordering, copy the size from an original tyre or from the van's door label.

Why the Tempo Traveller tyre size needs a light truck tyre

A full Traveller with passengers and luggage on the roof weighs far more than any car. The tyres fitted at the factory are light truck types, marked LT or C on the sidewall, with stiffer walls, more plies and a load index that suits a van. Typical listings for the 16 inch size show a dual index such as 121/119, the first figure for single rear wheels and the second for twin fitments.

Read the load index guide to compare numbers.

Size maths for 215/75 R15 and 235/65 R16

215/75 R15: 215 mm wide, a tall 161 mm wall, on a 15 inch rim. Overall height is about 704 mm. That tall wall cushions village tracks and shields the steel rim from crater edges.

235/65 R16: 235 mm wide, a 153 mm wall, on a 16 inch rim, about 712 mm tall. The wider tread spreads the extra weight of the long body over more rubber.

The heights differ by roughly 1 percent, but the rims differ, so the two sizes are not interchangeable without changing wheels. Stick to the size made for your wheelbase.

Pressure for passenger and tourist duty

Force publishes the cold inflation values on the van's tyre placard and in its handbook. Vans need much higher pressures than cars, and the rear often needs more than the front when full. Check all tyres every morning before a tour, with a gauge, while the van is cold. A tyre run low under a full load on a long highway day builds heat and can delaminate. Fleet owners should keep a log. See the pressure converter if your gauge shows bar.

Wear patterns on vans

• Front shoulder wear: common on vans used in city traffic with lots of tight turns. Rotate and check alignment.
• Cupping on the rear: a sign of tired shock absorbers. Have the suspension checked.
• Centre wear: over inflation, often from filling to the sidewall maximum.
• Cracks: vans parked in the sun all day age tyres fast. Replace by the date code, not just by tread.

Our tyre tread page shows how to measure depth.

Spare wheel and roadside checks

The spare on a Traveller is often slung under the body or mounted at the rear, exposed to dust and water. Check its pressure each week on a touring van. Carry a jack rated for the van's weight and a long handled wheel spanner. In ghat sections, pull off fully onto a firm shoulder before changing a wheel, and use warning triangles.

Related van and commercial pages

Operators comparing fleets can check the rival Winger, while heavier buses and lorries are explained in our commercial truck sizes guide. Vans, MUVs and cars are all indexed in the passenger vehicle directory, where the Traveller sits alongside them. Fleet managers often print that table for the workshop wall.