Technical wheel size 15"- 16"

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Technical wheel size 15"- 16"

mentaliss

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My Fiat Ducato Swift Bolero E600 (2008) Motorhome is fitted with the standard 15" wheels.... I have seen that the DUCATO MAXI is fitted with 16" wheels can I fit this size to my Bolero with out snags ....... ( I don't know what the difference is between the two vehicles is)
 
I believe you can fit 16" wheels as 16" alloys are for sale on ebay.
But you cannot fit 16" wheels from a Ducato Maxi van as the spacings are different.
 
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The maxi van has bigger brakes and thicker wheelbolts, as well as bigger wheels, for its uprated axles.
As already said, the spacings are also different. (I discovered that when the wrong wheelcarrier (15" instead of 16") was fitted to my van in the wheel carrier recall.)
 
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As stated before you cannot fit 16" ducato wheels to a van that had 15" wheels fitted. The wheel bolt spacings are different, this is called PCD.

Read this http://whichtyres.com/2012/03/which-fiat-ducato-motorhome-wheels/

If you fit aftermarket alloys you will have to use tyres with a lower profile or your speedo will read slow and you will find the gear ratio to road speed will be higher. so pulling away in first will feel like second.

If you fit lower profile tyres you may find the ride a bit more harsh as they have less cushion effect

Mike
 
My Fiat Ducato Swift Bolero E600 (2008) Motorhome is fitted with the standard 15" wheels.... I have seen that the DUCATO MAXI is fitted with 16" wheels can I fit this size to my Bolero with out snags ....... ( I don't know what the difference is between the two vehicles is)

why would you want to change ?
 
Bigger wheels are more efficient (less rolling resistance).
Try wheeling a piece of furniture with small wheels (castors) across the lawn, then a bicycle with big wheels and see how much easier the bicycle is to push!
Nevertheless, when you already have 15" wheels I think changing them for 16" wheels is more expense than it is worth.
 
Why not fit a higher profile tire on the 15" rim? I have a 2013 Ducato campervan (Swift Forte extended length) and looking to see if 16" rims fit.

Key reason for going larger is I would prefer a higher ground clearance (it's way too low as is). Likewise, I find taking off in 1st gear is too short, though you can start off in 2nd gear, the Comfortmatic gear box changes too slow so longer legs would help.
 
Since this thread was started Fiat have produced 16" wheels to fit the 15" wheels PCD for some motorhome chassis.
So you could buy them and bolt them straight on. But then your speedo would be out, and you might not like the higher gearing - or the price you had to pay for the new rims as you are unlikely to find any in the scrapyard. Altogether more cost and trouble than its worth I think - even though bigger wheels are more efficient.
 
Fiat bought out 16" steel and alloy wheels for the 118 pitch a few years ago. I changed and the ride on 225/75 R16 is much better than the original 215/70 R15. I set the pressures as per the manufactures Continental recommendation.
The Speedo used to read about 5% less than the sat nav but now is the same and is the same as indicated by speed indicator devices. On a long run to Spain I have come to the conclusion that the actual distance travelled is 5% more than the odometer indicates. I compared the distance against two friends who had 16"" wheels fitted as standard at manufacture. At 60mph the revs are 2000rpm compared to 2200 when fited with the 15" ones.
 
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Thanks for quick reply. As I said before the primary reason for going 16" is to gain higher ground clearance. I've come across this link which seems a reasonable price for 16" rims:

https://www.tyremen.co.uk/wheels/Fiat-ducato-spare-wheel-2007-2017

However i'm in New Zealand so shipping these out would be costly. At least it's good to know that they exist.

rayc:

Can you tell me about your Ducato? Ours is a 2013 campervan 6.3m length one (but not the Maxi version), yet the chassis has a 3500kg specification. MultiJet 130. The wheels are 215/70 R15.
You went to 225/75 R16? So slightly wider and a higher profile. Can you say you had any issues of tyre rub when steering wheel is at full lock turn?

Completely fine with the difference in speedo reading as the Comfortmatic shifting is way too short to begin with ; 1st and 2nd gear are too short legged.

I may check with the local Fiat dealer if they can source PCD 5 x 118 16" rims.
 
There is no problem with tyres rubbing on full lock . The 16"wheels , steel or alloy, and tyres are fitted as standard on many motorhomes running on the light chassis as standard these days. I fitted genuine Fiat alloys at a cost of £750 the set. Steel wheels are about £50 each on eBay uk, note they are only supplied as black. There is a NZ member of the Pilote Owners on facebook who has the 16" alloys on his 2018 model
 
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Probably doesn't matter much what colour they are supplied in as the original Fiat silver paint doesn't seem to last long anyway. I got some metal paint from Aldi and that was no better. But since (brush) painting them with Hammerite smooth silver coloured paint they have lasted much longer with no sign of rust.:)
 
I've been searching on eBay and had no lucking find any of the PCD 5x118 16" rims in FACTORY steel type. However there are plenty of alloy wheel ones but my preference is to keep the factory rim look. (also i've read many of the alloy ones can not take the heavy loads and are more for show than for being heavy duty.

Any wheel specialists in the UK?

Also I would like to source a wheel carrier as a spare wheel was never supplied (just the silly spray can + inflator under the passenger seat). A quick look under and I see 2 cross members with pre-drill / threaded holes (1 beam having 4 pre-threaded and other only 1 threaded hole). Size of the carrier I assume to just hold the original 15" wheel as I would be just using just 1 of the rims after replacing the originals with 16" rims.
 
Size of the carrier I assume to just hold the original 15" wheel as I would be just using just 1 of the rims after replacing the originals with 16" rims.

Carriers were made for 15" and 16" wheels. I think you would need the 15" one because your 16" wheels would fit the 15" PCD plate on the carrier.
Spare wheels and carriers were fitted as standard when I got my 2008 X2/50 panel van.
But they had problems with spare wheels disappearing - allegedly falling off - and a recall to fit a redesigned carrier.
I understand spare wheels are no longer standard equipment - in common with most commercial vehicles - they are usually operated by companies who have special deals with 24/7 mobile tyre fitters.
 
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rayc: believe me, i've been looking on eBay, unless i'm using the wrong search description. As for as 5x118 alloys, there's plenty of them on eBay particularly the German sourced ones. I have no idea which are genuine Fiat alloys or how they look?

Will call the local Fiat dealer to source some information. When we 1st imported the Ducato in 2013, the local dealer soaked us nearly $1K NZD (about 500 GBP) for another key FOB remote (they said the part had to come from Italy and require special reprogramming). However a complete replacement window wiper wasn't that bad costing $40 NZD).
 
The genuine ones are Fiat part number 71807358 which consist of the wheel plus Fiat insert.
 

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Thanks for the links rayc. Unfortunately the seller will not ship to NZ and most they can do is send in UK and i'll have to arrange courier from there. I do recall NZ Post having such a service where they will handle the pickup etc but will have to confirm. At the moment i'm trying to find what I can in NZ and explaining about the PCD difference is the key. Specialty mag shops tell me I can just use a different profile tyre to suit but i'm certain not all profiles are cost effective. Two local shops say I could go with the Momo 17" rims with a lower profile tyre but I know it will be an expensive option (Momo rims along $1400NZD so about 700 GBP). Will reply as soon as I get a response from the local Fiat dealer.

I have a local van wrecker that is parting out a newer model Ducato and will get back to me on the rear tyre carriage mechanism. Below are photos under the van. There are 2 cross beans with pre-drilled holes. Some of the carriages sold online differ slightly in terms of mounting.

https://i.imgur.com/yEadyBY.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/PAikN3U.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/zXpEd4q.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/PqM04Ce.jpg
 
Thanks for the links rayc. Unfortunately the seller will not ship to NZ and most they can do is send in UK and i'll have to arrange courier from there. I do recall NZ Post having such a service where they will handle the pickup etc but will have to confirm. At the moment i'm trying to find what I can in NZ and explaining about the PCD difference is the key. Specialty mag shops tell me I can just use a different profile tyre to suit but i'm certain not all profiles are cost effective. Two local shops say I could go with the Momo 17" rims with a lower profile tyre but I know it will be an expensive option (Momo rims along $1400NZD so about 700 GBP). Will reply as soon as I get a response from the local Fiat dealer.

I have a local van wrecker that is parting out a newer model Ducato and will get back to me on the rear tyre carriage mechanism. Below are photos under the van. There are 2 cross beans with pre-drilled holes. Some of the carriages sold online differ slightly in terms of mounting.

https://i.imgur.com/yEadyBY.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/PAikN3U.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/zXpEd4q.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/PqM04Ce.jpg

Yes those are the mounting holes

I posted some photos of the carriers here;
https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.u...y-Issue-Spare-wheel-carrier-failure/22828/91/

and here;
https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.u...50-Spare-wheel-carrier-a-breakthrough-/24982/

If you can get to the floor above the carrier you can put a bolt through the wheel and floor as shown. Then you don't need to worry about the spare wheel falling from a defective carrier, or being stolen.
 
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