The German publication ProMobil have tested eight summer tires in the popular 235/55 R17 size using a VW T 6.1 Camper!

This test is slightly more relevant than usual tests to Camper Van / SUV overs, as the magazine tested the "regular" 235/55 R17 tire option instead of the 215/65 R16 C commercial size with is often fitted to the VW Transporter the VW is based on.

This tire size isn't just limited to camper vans though, it's also on many large saloons and midsize crossover SUVs such as the BMW 7 Series, BMW X3, Audi Q3, Ford S-Max, Honda CRV, VW Tiguan, VW, California, VW Caravelle and many others!

As usual the eight sets of summer tires were put through the usual array of dry, wet, noise and rolling resistance tests to find out exactly what tire is best in each key area.

Dry

During dry braking testing the Bridgestone Turanza T005 and Michelin Primacy 4 had a small advantage over the rest of the group.

Unusually the Falken FK510 SUV was the fastest over the dry handling lap, with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 taking second place.

Wet

Michelin and the Continental PremiumContact 6 tied for first place in the key wet braking test.

It was once again Falken with a clear advantage in the wet handling tests.

Both aquaplaning tests were led by Goodyear, and, as we've seen before in testing, the Michelin Primacy 4 struggled in the deeper water.

Environment

The Michelin was the quietest tire on test, with the Bridgestone Turanza T005 unusually loud.

The Bridgestone and Michelin led the way in the rolling resistance test, having the lowest fuel use.

The spread of pricing was fairly high, with the most expensive Michelin almost twice as expensive as the cheapest Maxxis.

Results

1st: Michelin Primacy 4
235/55 R17 103V EU Label: B/A/70 Production: 0821 Tread: 6.5mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 38.1 M 38 M +0.1 M 99.74% Dry Handling 4th 106.4 Km/H 108.1 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.43% Wet Braking 1st 31.2 M 100% Wet Handling 6th 69.7 Km/H 71.6 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 97.35% Straight Aqua 8th 79.2 Km/H 85.8 Km/H -6.6 Km/H 92.31% Curved Aquaplaning 8th 3 m/sec2 4 m/sec2 -1 m/sec2 75% Noise 1st 71.8 dB 100% Price 8th 174 96 +78 55.17% Rolling Resistance 2nd 6.8 kg / t 6.7 kg / t +0.1 kg / t 98.53% Very short braking distances in the wet and dry, very quiet rolling noise and fuel-saving low rolling resistance. Lower aquaplaning resistance. Michelin impresses with its top performance, but makes you pay for it. Read Reviews    Buy from £138.34
2nd: Continental Premium Contact 6
235/55 R17 103W EU Label: C/A/72 Production: 4920 Tread: 7.9mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 38.9 M 38 M +0.9 M 97.69% Dry Handling 3rd 106.7 Km/H 108.1 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 98.7% Wet Braking 1st 31.2 M 100% Wet Handling 3rd 70.5 Km/H 71.6 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 98.46% Straight Aqua 7th 80.2 Km/H 85.8 Km/H -5.6 Km/H 93.47% Curved Aquaplaning 5th 3.6 m/sec2 4 m/sec2 -0.4 m/sec2 90% Noise 2nd 71.9 dB 71.8 dB +0.1 dB 99.86% Price 7th 154 96 +58 62.34% Rolling Resistance 4th 7.4 kg / t 6.7 kg / t +0.7 kg / t 90.54% Comfortable, and thanks to the self-sealing insert, particularly quiet summer tire with very short braking distances in wet conditions. Slight swinging movement after a quick lane change. Extra comfortable premium tire with a safety bonus. Read Reviews    Buy from £144.25
3rd: Falken FK510 SUV
235/55 R17 103W EU Label: C/A/70 Production: 0221 Tread: 7.7mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 38.7 M 38 M +0.7 M 98.19% Dry Handling 1st 108.1 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 5th 32.6 M 31.2 M +1.4 M 95.71% Wet Handling 1st 71.6 Km/H 100% Straight Aqua 4th 81.2 Km/H 85.8 Km/H -4.6 Km/H 94.64% Curved Aquaplaning 4th 3.65 m/sec2 4 m/sec2 -0.35 m/sec2 91.25% Noise 3rd 72.4 dB 71.8 dB +0.6 dB 99.17% Price 4th 113 96 +17 84.96% Rolling Resistance 7th 8 kg / t 6.7 kg / t +1.3 kg / t 83.75% Very high safety reserves when cornering on wet and dry roads, quiet noise to the outside as well as the interior. Weaknesses when when changing lanes quickly, sluggish steering responses. Low-priced newcomer with excellent wet grip. Read Reviews
4th: Bridgestone Turanza T005
235/55 R17 103Y EU Label: A/A/72 Production: 1321 Tread: 7.2mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 38 M 100% Dry Handling 5th 106.1 Km/H 108.1 Km/H -2 Km/H 98.15% Wet Braking 3rd 32.1 M 31.2 M +0.9 M 97.2% Wet Handling 4th 70.3 Km/H 71.6 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.18% Straight Aqua 2nd 81.8 Km/H 85.8 Km/H -4 Km/H 95.34% Curved Aquaplaning 3rd 3.83 m/sec2 4 m/sec2 -0.17 m/sec2 95.75% Noise 8th 74.9 dB 71.8 dB +3.1 dB 95.86% Price 5th 143 96 +47 67.13% Rolling Resistance 1st 6.7 kg / t 100% Predominantly safe handling in the wet as well as on dry roads, shortest braking distances on dry asphalt, very low rolling resistance. Unpleasant levels of noise. A top performer with noise issues. Read Reviews    Buy from £119.40
5th: Nokian Wetproof SUV
235/55 R17 103W EU Label: C/A/71 Production: 1021 Tread: 8.0mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 39.4 M 38 M +1.4 M 96.45% Dry Handling 6th 105.9 Km/H 108.1 Km/H -2.2 Km/H 97.96% Wet Braking 4th 32.2 M 31.2 M +1 M 96.89% Wet Handling 6th 69.7 Km/H 71.6 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 97.35% Straight Aqua 5th 80.7 Km/H 85.8 Km/H -5.1 Km/H 94.06% Curved Aquaplaning 7th 3.5 m/sec2 4 m/sec2 -0.5 m/sec2 87.5% Noise 4th 72.9 dB 71.8 dB +1.1 dB 98.49% Price 2nd 108 96 +12 88.89% Rolling Resistance 5th 7.8 kg / t 6.7 kg / t +1.1 kg / t 85.9% High grip in the wet. Slower steering, average straight aquaplaning resistance. Read Reviews
6th: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
235/55 R17 103Y EU Label: C/A/71 Production: 1021 Tread: 7.7mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 39.2 M 38 M +1.2 M 96.94% Dry Handling 2nd 107.1 Km/H 108.1 Km/H -1 Km/H 99.07% Wet Braking 7th 33.4 M 31.2 M +2.2 M 93.41% Wet Handling 2nd 70.6 Km/H 71.6 Km/H -1 Km/H 98.6% Straight Aqua 1st 85.8 Km/H 100% Curved Aquaplaning 1st 4 m/sec2 100% Noise 5th 73 dB 71.8 dB +1.2 dB 98.36% Price 6th 151 96 +55 63.58% Rolling Resistance 8th 8.6 kg / t 6.7 kg / t +1.9 kg / t 77.91% Very high aquaplaning resistance, good grip in the dry. Long wet braking distances. Read Reviews    Buy from £110.10
7th: Maxxis Premitra HP5
235/55 R17 B/AY EU Label: C/A/70 Production: 0721 Tread: 7.6mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 38.8 M 38 M +0.8 M 97.94% Dry Handling 8th 105.6 Km/H 108.1 Km/H -2.5 Km/H 97.69% Wet Braking 6th 33.3 M 31.2 M +2.1 M 93.69% Wet Handling 5th 69.9 Km/H 71.6 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 97.63% Straight Aqua 6th 80.5 Km/H 85.8 Km/H -5.3 Km/H 93.82% Curved Aquaplaning 5th 3.6 m/sec2 4 m/sec2 -0.4 m/sec2 90% Noise 7th 73.4 dB 71.8 dB +1.6 dB 97.82% Price 1st 96 100% Rolling Resistance 6th 7.9 kg / t 6.7 kg / t +1.2 kg / t 84.81% Average balanced performance in all categories. Slightly slow steering response and slowest dry handling. Read Reviews
8th: Sava Intensa UHP 2
235/55 R17 103Y EU Label: B/B/71 Production: 0421 Tread: 7.0mm 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 38.8 M 38 M +0.8 M 97.94% Dry Handling 6th 105.9 Km/H 108.1 Km/H -2.2 Km/H 97.96% Wet Braking 8th 35 M 31.2 M +3.8 M 89.14% Wet Handling 8th 69.5 Km/H 71.6 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 97.07% Straight Aqua 2nd 81.8 Km/H 85.8 Km/H -4 Km/H 95.34% Curved Aquaplaning 2nd 3.97 m/sec2 4 m/sec2 -0.03 m/sec2 99.25% Noise 6th 73.2 dB 71.8 dB +1.4 dB 98.09% Price 2nd 108 96 +12 88.89% Rolling Resistance 3rd 7 kg / t 6.7 kg / t +0.3 kg / t 95.71% Good aquaplaning resistance, low rolling resistance. Poor grip in the wet. Read Reviews