Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2007 13:43:27 -0800
Reply-To: Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Subject: Re: wheel size recommendation
In-Reply-To: <BAY120-DS34228AFAA3E9B90EEC4CBACC40@phx.gbl>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
One must also consider how and where the van will be driven. 16's with a lower profile may be close to the same overall diameter as 15's with a taller one or stock 14's with an even taller profile but is that the best choice for where you are driving. If you are always on good roads then 16's may be fine but those on rough roads, trails, etc, may find the taller sidewall on a 15 to provide a nicer ride and reduce the risk of tire or wheel damage. I plan on upgrading our Westy Syncro and maybe my Gl Syncro as well to 15's but doubt that I would ever put 16's under them. The places we take our vans are are rough enough that both for comfort and longevity of tire and rim I want that little extra bit of cushion between the road and rim. Another factor for those straying into remote or back country areas is that finding a 15" tire that would work in a pinch is going to be easier than a 16". For example the 15" tire size that I hear many people prefer on their vans is similar
to that used on Jeep Cherokees which are a dime a dozen in many places which increases the odds of being able to find a tire that you can at least drive home on if need be.
Mark in AK
----- Original Message -----
From: Todd <dermultivan@HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Thursday, September 6, 2007 11:22 am
Subject: Re: wheel size recommendation
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> To keep the opinions varied: I've run the GoWesty 16" w/the
> 215/60/16's for
> just over a year and couldn't be happier. My 91 Weekender w/new
> Bilsteinshocks/struts and this wheel/tire setup handles and rides
> quieter, smoother,
> and more stable (e.g. crosswinds) on dry/wet roads than any other
> VanagonI've owned. Snow would be a problem, but she stays safely
> tucked inside on
> the rare occasions that there is snow on the ground around
> Seattle. Rim
> diameter alone isn't as important a consideration as the overall
> tire/wheelcombo's diameter adversely affecting your gearing,
> odometer/speedo readings,
> etc and the 16's w/the lower profile tires is nearly the same as
> the former
> 14" Carat rim/tire setup.
>
>
> Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2007 14:32:21 +0000
> From: Dave Vickery <davevickery@HOTMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Re: wheel size recommendation
>
> Short Answer: 15"
>
> Long Answer: Look at the tires available in both 15 & 16, maybe use
> tirerack.com and check with Discount tire or similar to see
> availability of
> styles(Hwy, M&S, AT) and diameters close to what you want. If you
> wantoriginal diameter, you'll be hard pressed to find that in a
> 16" tire. My
> gut says 15" gives you more options in tires, but there aren't too
> manychoices available. Also the 16" rim is wider, for better or
> worse. With
> everything else stock, you don't really want a diameter bigger
> than about 1"
> (4%) over stock.
>
> Dave in Denver
> 15" SA Carat IIs
>
>
> >From: Ron LK Johnson <adhocMedia@COMCAST.NET>
> >Reply-To: Ron LK Johnson <adhocMedia@COMCAST.NET>
> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >Subject: wheel size recommendation
> >Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2007 21:04:04 -0700
> >
> >I need to replace the tires on my '91 - it has stock 14" alloy
> >wheels. There has been a lot of praise for going to larger
> wheels. To
> >be honest, I don't feel that there is a stability issue on my
> >vehicle, but I would like to have wider discretion in tire selection
> >so am considering an upgrade to the 15" or 16" wheels. (I installed
> >Bilstein shocks earlier in the summer and believe they improved the
> >ride a bit.)
> >
> >Is there a large advantage (or disadvantage) in choosing the 16"
> >wheels over the 15" wheels? GoWesty offers packages for both with
> >only $100 difference between them.
> >
> >Any advice appreciated!
> >
> >Sincerely,
> >Ron Johnson
> >PDX, OR
>
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