What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread!

[bobbyblack]

[jimf909]

I am considering going to a 27" tire (215/65R16, up from a 60 series) but am hesitant to lose any torque even with a Bostig - it doesn't have a lot of headroom.
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- Jim

[Slimvest]

[benandmj]

I'm running a stock 1.9 with these bad boys. No complaints. I can't remember what it was like on 14's. The stability improvements alone more than make up for any loss of bottom end torque. We go up lots of steep stuff. Crossing the Sierra's wasn't fun but the high wind was a big part of the stress.

215/65/16

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85 Westfalia Weekender
91 Syncro Westy

[bobbyblack]

benandmj,

What do you do for your spare(s)? Front spare holder? Rear? Mod'd?

Regards,

-bobby
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[flomulgator]

Heads up,

If you're in the PNW, Smallcar just became a Nokian tire distributor, say they'll price match anyone too!

https://smallcar.com/smallcar-news/tires.html

many other brands too, but since Nokian sellers are few and far between I thought this was worth noting.
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She's built like a steakhouse, but she handles like a bistro!

[dsdunbar]

Good to know. But I will add, I bought my summer Nokians (eNtyre) from Discount Tire. Not sure if they carry all of the Nokian line, but I know there are a lot of DTs in Washington state.

[Slimvest]

[benandmj]

[Jake de Villiers]

[crazyvwvanman]

BFG says that tire is 770 revs per mile, (KO2 in 215/65/16)

Stock 185R14 are about 810 revs per mile.

That is less than a 6% change, closer to 5%.

Not BFG but I am running that size on 2 of my stock wbx vans and I like it fine.

Mark

[bobbyblack]

I think it is strange as well, that a 215/65/16 can be different diameters from different manufacturers, but they are.

Oh, and I looked a couple weeks ago, and was not able to find BFGs in 215/65/16, if that is the case, and they are NOW available, how assured are we that the next time we need rubber, there will be one for us?

I was trying to find local place with Toyo tires... they were supposed to be decent:

Toyo Versado Noir 215/65R16 XL 102H BSW
~$95/tire
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[joetiger]

I'm trying to make a decision on new tires and have whittled it down to two choices:

-The Yokohama Geolandar 215/70/15 that I've been running for the past four years with no complaints.

-The Firestone Destination AT in either 205/75/15 or 215/75/15.

I like the idea of a slightly smaller diameter tire (Destination 205) to assist with climbing, but I like the 100 load rating of the Destination 215, which is slightly larger than the Geo's they'd be replacing.

Does anybody have any thoughts on the tradeoff? With a Wolfsburg Westy that gets loaded with two kids, rocketbox, and bike rack, will I be pushing the lower load rating of the 205?

I know that most of this is subjective, but I'm looking for any insights that the wise Vanagon tire folk can offer.

It should be noted that in 11 years with this Vanagon, I've gone through:

Bridgestone Dueler AT 195/75/14--Hard as a rock, loud, but super durable

BFG A/T 27x8.5/14--Outstanding until they wore down and got really loud

Michelin Agilis 205-65-15--terrible in snow

Yokohama Geolandar 215/70/15--All-around good tire, but I've definitely noticed the hill-climbing loss of power.

Thanks!
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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com

[geodude]

The 215/70R15 that you have been running are really close to the limit regarding not rubbing on the lower Wolfsberg / Carat types vans with the lower springs. I fretted about this on mine for a long while and the best I can figure based on available reports is with the lower springs 27" diameter is the limit. Everyone I've seen so far over that value rubbed and everyone under didn't. The 215/75R15 pushes you out to 27.7" diameter and you likely will rub (I believe that is the same size a good friend has on a van he bought and it did a number on his wheel well).

Personally I won't go under 98 load index (remember the 9% adjust for passenger car tires). You have a few choices under 27 inch dia that have higher load rating than 98 to choose from.
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1988 GL Camper
1991 Multivan — the basket case

[joetiger]

[bjrogers86auto]

I was in My local Walmart last week and stopped by the tire desk and ordered my Continental Vanco tires. They called me the next morning for them to be picked up. Less than 24 hrs!

205/65/15 and the proper load rating. They are in my basement waiting for spring to arrive...maybe Walmart has that in stock as well....😎

Brian
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86 Vanagon GL Westfalia 2.1
18 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X
19 Honda Civic Hatchback

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes.

[msinabottle]

I thought I might as well put this picture here, as it gives you a look at the Michelin Defender LTX M/S tire and its tread as installed on my Audi TT 5000 Quattro Rims on Winston:

In the short time (obviously) that I have driven on them, I was pleased with their handling.

Best!
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'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."

[Busdepot]

For those running Hankook RA08's, we have one 185R14 left. If you would like a matching spare this is your last chance. I'll make it $92 for that one. PM me if you want it. We will have the new RA18's soon.
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- Ron Salmon
The Bus Depot
www.busdepot.com

[raoul mitgong]

Odd that the smallest BFG KO2 is in a 16" at 770 rev/mile (27"). The smallest 15 is 751 rev/mile at 27.6". Looks like I'll have to re-power the Syncro when my old KOs wear out!

Are they still adding sizes or do we think they are done?

-d
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84 Westy with a 2.1 (Groover)
86 Tintop Syncro (Crow)
86 Tintop Syncro to Westy project (Tom Servo)
91 Westy (Only the top 12 inches of this van (a burn victim))

[joetiger]