Date:         Sun, 22 Dec 2002 14:13:24 +1300
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: Aftermarket rim fitment.
In-Reply-To:  <000c01c2a911$c93299f0$6500a8c0@masterpc>
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=us-ascii

>Why would you want to run that tire/wheel combination on a Vanagon? It
>is 1" shorter than stock and only has a weight rating of 1279 lbs before
>deducting 10% as you are using for a light truck application. You will
>be forever bending the wheels and it will ride hard. You will need at
>least a 225-60/16 to get the proper load capacity (97). This will be ~1"
>taller than stock and 1" wider than the 205's.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>
>I checked the archives and didn't find anyone that had put 7.5jx16ET30
>rim on a two wheel drive vanagon Westy. will the 7.5 rim width cause a
>clearance problem with 205x55x16 tires mounted?

Why on earth not? It will result in a van which HANDLES. Using tires
rated for a Mercedes S-Class should fit the loading rating OK...
those cars are HEAVY.

The 16" tires will give about the same rolling diameter as stock 14" tires.

I wouldn't have a camoper myself, as I prefer the practicality of a
7-seater or empty van, and I want the handling not available to a
heavy unbalanced camper (moose-test failure guaranteed with Westys),
so I have better choice of wheel/tire choice, and will go the German
Look with 17 or 18" wheels and low-profile tires.

Light truck tires will not give good handling, and in an emergency
avoidance situtation are likely to KILL you. I cannot understand why
people insist on fitting such tires and utterly ignoring handling as
THE primary safety thing in any vehicle (chassis dynamics a close
seciond, and here our vans shine). Cost of tires ... or (potential)
cost of your life?

Hey... I have a set of 16x7" CLK alloys with 205/55 Contis for sale...
--
Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut