Date:         Sun, 6 Jan 2002 20:29:32 -0800
Reply-To:     David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Subject:      Re: Wider Tires?
Comments: To: "Loren A. Busch" <lbusch@IX.NETCOM.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <000001c19732$672aed30$141f79a5@hewlett2ih5nie>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I try to get the narrowest tires possible for my T3s.  Currently I have
6.5R16 on my Syncro DoKa and 205/80R16 on my Syncro Westfaila - The wider
the tire is the less pressure per cubic inch on the ground, which is
considered good for snow and limited traction situations - some will argue
this point I am sure!  Wider tires are also more prone hydroplaning and
create more rolling resistance meaning that you consume slightly more fuel.

David Marshall

Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
4356 Quesnel Hixon Road
Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3
mailto:info@fastforward.ca <mailto:info@fastforward.ca>
http://www.fastforward.ca <http://www.fastforward.ca>
Phone: (250) 992 7775           FAX: (250) 992 1160

. Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
. Vanagon, Transporter and Iltis Sales and Importation
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-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Loren A. Busch
Sent: January 6, 2002 8:19 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Wider Tires?


What if any advantage is there to going to wider tires on a Westy?  I
have searched the archives here and other lists and find a lot of
discussion on various brands and models of tires for a Vanagon or Westy,
but little discussion on pros and cons of going wider than the 185mm
width of the original equipment tires.  Most of my driving (in miles)
will be highway/freeway, rare to drive in the snow, but often in the
rain. I will be putting new tires on my newly acquired '90 Westy soon,
probably Michelin Agilis (loved the MXT's I had on my '85, but MXT's no
longer available) and have been wondering if there is any real advantage
to going to a wider tire.  Any comments will be appreciated.

Loren A. Busch