Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 23:22:54 -0600
Reply-To: Richard Green <rlgreen@INDUSTRYINET.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard Green <rlgreen@INDUSTRYINET.COM>
Subject: Re: 15" Wheel/Tire Report - Caution
In-Reply-To: <027101c52909$541c1c20$210110ac@RON>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
I quick question on the 15 in tires. Is it not easier to find 15 inch
tires than 14 inch tires that meet the requirements?
I am running 14" Kuhmos that are load range "D" which I bought last year
for my syncro. Hiway tread as I really do go
4x4ing---- In looking for tire specs on the internet, it sure seemed
easier to find 15" ...
But Ron I do like your 15" wheels you sell.
Richard in Texas.
>
>
>Absolutely true - even in a 15" size. GoWesty's claims to the contrary are
>simply not supported by Volkswagen's own specificatons. Volkswagen has
>always specified that ONLY reinforced tires be used on their vans - even in
>cases where a 15" wheel is used. Both prior to 1968 and after 1992,
>Volkswagen/Germany offered factory 15" wheels on their vans. On BOTH of
>these, Volkswagen specified reinforced sidewall tires, just as they did on
>models that had 14" wheels. This despite the fact that doing so reduced
>their profit margin (since they had to equip their vans with pricier tires).
>So it can be demonstrated that Volkswagen's engineers do not concur with
>GoWesty and others who say that a non-reinforced tire "will do just fine" if
>it's 15 inches. Sure, people use non-reinforced tires on their VW vans all
>the time and live to tell about it. Many people don't use seatbelts and live
>to tell about it too, but this does not make it smart. You will not know
>whether you have compromised your van's handling until it is too late. It
>will probably handle just fine in normal driving. But under extreme
>conditions, when it matters most - such as a sudden "panic" swerve to avoid
>an accident, which puts tremendous strain on the sidewall - the correctly
>rated tire could make the difference between avoiding an accident and
>flipping your van. Between life and death. Is it worth the risk?
>
>So you need reinforced tires. Period. If you're considering the switch to
>15" wheels, price these before you jump. They're not particularly cheap, as
>any Eurovan owner will attest. GoWesty's claim of cost-saving over the long
>run is based on using non-reinforced tires, which is a no-no. Good 14"
>reinforced tires run as low as $69; I think you'd be hard pressed to find a
>good 15" reinforced tire for that price.
>
>If you do make the switch, using a 65 series tire on a 15" rim will indeed
>give you roughly the same ride height as the stock 14" configuration,
>because the taller wheel is offset by the shorter tire. This is also the
>only combination that will maintain the accuracy of your speedometer. But
>all things being equal (that is, if you use the correctly rated tire in both
>cases, which for safety's sake you must), you will sacrifice some ride
>comfort. This combination means more metal and less rubber between you and
>the road. Rubber cushions your ride; metal does not. Taken to an extreme,
>the current "import tuner" trend toward huge wheels and really low profile
>tires has made this fact very apparent. Those cars may look cool, with all
>wheel and no rubber. But they ride like go-carts, and regularly suffer tire
>failure. That is why the auto and tire manufacturers will not warranty these
>modifications.
>
>Another option is to go with 15" wheels and taller reinforced tires, which
>would avoid any compromise in ride comfort or safety. This would make your
>van taller, which can be a big advantage to Syncro owners who take their
>vans off-road and need extra ground clearance. However, it can also be
>disadvantage to those who don't off-road but would like their Vanagon to fit
>in parking garages and carports. (Also it will slightly throw off your
>speedometer reading.)
>
>I sell 15" alloys myself, so my frankness may cost me a sale or two, but my
>own opinion is that the only real reason to go with 15" wheels (unless
>you're looking for increased offroad ground clearance) is looks. It is not a
>cost-saver, nor does it improve ride comfort or safety. So it really all
>boils down to looks. I have not made the switch on my own Vanagon because
>personally I do not feel that the cosmetic improvement justifies the
>substantial cost. Of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and others
>do feel that the look alone is worth the price of admission. So if you like
>the look, go for it (and use properly-rated tires, for gods sake!). But if
>your primary goal is cheaper tires or a more comfortable ride, don't waste
>your money.
>
>For more information on reinforced tires and tire safety, see
><http://busdepot.com/busdepot/details/tires.jsp>.
>
>- Ron Salmon
> The Bus Depot, Inc.
> www.busdepot.com
> (215) 234-VWVW
>
>_____________________________________________
>Toll-Free for Orders by PART # : 1-866-BUS-DEPOT
>
>
>
>
>
>>Best thing to do in your situation is step up to a
>>LT215/75R15 - not much larger, but a heck of a lot safer.
>>
>>I share your caution - good luck on the replacements.
>>
>>David Marshall
>>
>>Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
>>4356 Quesnel-Hixon Road
>>Quesnel BC Canada V2J 6Z3
>>
>>http://www.fastforward.ca mailto:sales@fastforward.ca
>>Phone: (250) 992 7775 FAX: (250) 992 1160
>>
>>- Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
>>- Vanagon, Transporter and Iltis Sales and Importation
>>- European Lighting for most Volkswagen models
>>
>>
>>Due to the large volume of email we receive, PLEASE
>>include previous emails when responding. This will allow us
>>to read the complete dialogue in one message and will result
>>in quicker and more accurate responses.
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Vanagon Mailing List
>>[mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf Of Larry Chase
>>Sent: March 14, 2005 6:06 AM
>>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>Subject: Re: 15" Wheel/Tire Report - Caution
>>
>>
>>Robert,
>>
>>Note sure what vehicle you put these on ... But if it's a
>>Westy I have a concern.
>>
>>Please forgive me but I have to caution folks on the use
>> of the Michelin HydroEdge (215/65-15) tire on a Westy Vanagon.
>>
>>This is a passenger car tire that "MICHELIN DOES NOT
>>RECOMMEND" for a VW Vanagon Westy.
>>
>>http://www.tirerack.com/tires/michelin/michelin.jsp
>>
>>The generally agreed upon specs for a proper Westy tire are:
>>
>>Load Index - 97 (1609-1652 lbs)
>>
>>This tire has a:
>>
>>Load Index - 95 (1521 lbs)
>>
>>http://tinyurl.com/557gq
>>
>>Also .... Passenger car tire specs need to be "derated"
>>by 10% for use on a Light Truck application.
>>
>>This is an industry standard.
>>
>>That would reduce the load Index rating of this tire to: 1369 lbs.
>>
>>Under perfect conditions this tire will ride and handle fine
>>... Because of its low profile, often a huge improvement if
>>the previous tires were also passenger car tires.
>>
>>But the danger is that there is "No Margin For Safety".
>>
>>I know that GoWesty feels these tire are appropriate ....
>>
>>They have a detial explanation on their web site that is very
>> impressive.
>>
>>But if the Manufacturing of the tire will not warranty it
>>for this application ... What does that tell you?
>>
>>Does GoWesty know more than the tire manufacturer?
>>
>>I'd really hate to see anyone put themselves or anyone else at risk.
>>
>>larry chase
>>roadhaus.com
>>
>>- - -
>>
>>Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2005 16:51:37 -0500
>>From: Robert Campbell <vanagon-rcampbell@USA.NET>
>>Subject: 15" Wheel/Tire Report
>>
>>Hello Gang!
>>
>>I pulled the trigger and purchased the 15" alloy wheel/tire
>>set from GoWesty.com -- after about 50 miles on this simple
>>(but not cheap) bolt-o= n upgrade I gotta tell you that it is GREAT!
>>
>>Going from the 185 to a 215 tire width is a tremendous
>>improvement in stability. And the Michelin
>>HydroEdge=E2=84=A2 (215/65-15) are quiet and= provide a nice
>>ride! I notice a major improvement in the shimmy/shake from
>>the win= d turbulence when following a tractor-trailer,
>>nearly gone! And cornering = feels much better now -- I
>>don't notice the "lean" as much.
>>
>>So, if you need tires, I would STRONGLY recommend the 15"
>>wheel upgrade a= nd good tires. I believe I will be very
>>happy with the hydroedge tires as I= live in Florida where I
>>deal only with water on the roadways.
>>
>>The process in dealing with GoWesty.com was very smooth and I
>>whole-heart= edly recommend them for your Vanagon needs! UPS
>>delivered my wheels (over 2 d=
>>ays)
>>and I installed them yesterday. The best $1000 spent to date
>>on my daily=
>>
>>driver!
>>
>><end report>
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