Date:         Sun, 5 Jan 2003 18:01:41 EST
Reply-To:     BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ben T <BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 14" or 15" wheels?
Comments: To: kimbrennan@MAC.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 1/5/03 2:11:12 PM Pacific Standard Time,
kimbrennan@MAC.COM writes:

<< Larger wheels, in and by themselves aren't going to improve handling.
 It's what tires you can mount on them that will determine your handling
 characteristics. >>

I totally agree. The purpose most car folks switch to larger wheels is to
mount lower profile tires. The less tire sidewall you have, the less flexing
from the sidewalls. Typically, they would go from 14" to 15" in wheel size.
Then they would up from 60 series tires to 50. Etc.,

Now if you ask a typical Vanagoner or Syncronut why they are switching to
larger tires MOST will tell you they are doing it to increase their tire
choices. More SUV's use 15" tires. Hence the 15" size greater availability.

Therein come the rub. Although many SUV's use LT (light truck) tires, they
don't all do. A Vanagon requires the stronger sidewalls of load rated tires
like the LT tires. Installing passenger car tires with weaker sidewalls does
not improve your handling over properly load rated 14" tires.

Ask me why I know? I've driven tens and thousands on miles in various
combinations of passenger car tires in a bus non-the-less. It's much lighter
than a Westy. Although I have a tendency to do some above average cornering
in my Vanagon, the sidewall wear is much greater than in the old 14" LT tire
set-up. I was able to improve the handling and crosswind resistance by
increasing tire pressures. Unfortunately, the casualty is premature sidewall
wear. Most of the damage occurs in the rear inside sidewalls. Right where you
can't see them. I have ripped and cracked several sets -- Pirelli, Kirkland,
Toyo Proxes & Michelin. Tires apparently didn't like being pumped up to 40+
lbs. then fling about under a 4600+ pound vehicle.

I was told that speed-rated sidewalls have stronger sidewalls which is more
likely able to withstand the flogging. Unfortunately, they cost about as much
if not more than LT tires.

So go 15" by al means but get the proper tires to go along with them. If you
are you should get improved handling feel afforded mostly by wider tires.

BenT