Living Van Tyres for the Vintage Machinery Industry
Living vans are an iconic part of Britain’s steam-powered heritage, serving as mobile homes for workers during the steam era and often accompanying traction engines at events today. Whether used for display or as part of a working setup, restoring these support vehicles calls for historically accurate yet reliable components. At Clifton Rubber, we manufacture and supply Living Van solid tyres that faithfully replicate original designs while offering long-term durability for today’s enthusiasts.
Custom Living Van Solid Tyre Manufacturer & Supplier for the Vintage Machinery Industry
What are Living Van tyres?
Living van wheels are heavy-duty wheels traditionally made from cast iron, wood, or steel, fitted to the mobile accommodation units used by traction engine drivers and workers during the steam age. These vans followed engines from job to job, carrying tools and serving as overnight quarters. Today, vintage living vans are lovingly restored and towed by engines to rallies, shows, and public displays.
Clifton Rubber’s Living Van tyres replicate the original tyre structure, offering rubber or polyurethane tyres that maintain an authentic appearance while delivering smoother towing and modern resilience.
Use of Living Van Tyres in Vintage Machinery
Restoration of Heritage Living Vans
Our tyres are ideal for restoring steam-era living vans, including showman’s wagons, fairground accommodation units, and ploughing engine support vehicles.
Safe Towing for Road & Field
Rubberised tyres protect modern road surfaces and reduce shock and vibration during transport, improving safety and comfort when towing vintage vans.
Displays & Museum Installations
Authentic-looking solid tyres enhance the visual appeal and accuracy of static displays in heritage centres, museums, and outdoor exhibitions.
Steam Rallies & Events
Restored living vans often take pride of place behind steam engines at rallies, and having well-crafted tyres is key to their mobility and appearance.
Solutions We Provide
Traditional Aesthetics with Modern Performance
Our solid tyres are designed to look like period originals while incorporating rubber or polyurethane tyres to improve rolling resistance and reduce wear.
Custom Manufacturing for Bespoke Builds
We work closely with enthusiasts and engineers to supply tyres to specific measurements, including non-standard or rare axle configurations.
Strong & Weather-Resistant Materials
Using robust rubber compounds and corrosion-resistant finishes, our tyres are designed to last, even with outdoor storage or regular movement.
Bolt-On or Bonded Tyres
We offer different tyre solutions depending on use—whether you need replaceable bolt-on tyres or permanently bonded options for minimal maintenance.
Why Choose Clifton Rubber?
Specialist Manufacturing for Heritage Equipment
We have a long history of producing rubber components for vintage and specialist machinery, including traction engines, ploughing kits, and their accessories.
Expert Knowledge of Vintage Machinery
Our team understands the unique challenges and expectations of the restoration community, combining engineering know-how with respect for tradition.
Support Throughout Your Project
From initial enquiry to installation advice, we offer technical support to ensure your tyres fit properly and perform reliably for years to come.
Made in the UK
All Clifton Rubber products are manufactured at our UK facility to ISO quality standards, ensuring precise craftsmanship and consistent supply.
About Clifton Rubber
Clifton Rubber is a leading UK manufacturer of high-performance rubber and polyurethane components, serving industries ranging from agriculture and defence to heritage and vintage machinery. With over 50 years of experience, we offer dependable, purpose-built products designed to withstand real-world use while preserving historical authenticity.
Our work in the vintage machinery sector reflects our commitment to keeping British engineering heritage alive. Whether you’re restoring a steam engine’s living van or preparing a showman’s wagon for its next outing, you can count on Clifton Rubber to provide tyres that look the part and last the distance.