Date:         Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:22:19 -0400
Reply-To:     Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Re: What size/ brand tire are ppl using on 2wd w/ SA 15" rim
Comments: To: TC <trclark@SHAW.CA>
In-Reply-To:  <2d2001c80f75$da1e53b0$c901a8c0@w2ktopcat>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

I've got SA alloy wheels.

On one van I have 205/65R15 tires.
On another I have 215/75R15.
On yet another I have 225/70R15.

The 205/65R15 is very close to stock tire size for most Vanagons.

The 225/70R15 is larger and the 215/75 is just a hare larger than the
225/70.

Brands? Vredestein Comtrac (summer only tire) in 205/65R15. Nice
sturdy and very quiet tire.
Vredestein Winter Comtrac (snow tire) in 225/70R15. Nice sturdy and
very quiet tire
BFG AT T/A ko in 215/75R15. Great off road tire. Surprisingly quiet
when new but gets noisier as they wear.

I also have some 16" tires (215/75R16) Nokian Hakkapellita CS.
Similar in design to the Vredestein Winter Comtracs, but all season
tires. MUCH noisier than the Vredestein. Very sturdy tire.

If you can afford a second set of rims and want quiet tires, I'd
recommend the Vredesteins. If you want the simplicity of a single set
of all season tires, The Nokians would be my recommendation, despite
the added noise factor.

If you go on dirt roads a lot, I'd suggest the BFGs. I'd also
recommend the BFGs if you are one the person that gets curb rash and
want to switch to alloy rims. The BFGs have a nice rim protector
design that I love.


On Oct 15, 2007, at 5:53 PM, TC wrote:

> Gawd I am sorry for posting tire question :)
> but is hard to get a search here or on samba to isolate tire use on
> 2wd van
> with SA steel 15" rims
>
> 95R70/15, 215/75R15, 205/65R15, 205/75R15
>
> Now I am mostly a highway camping gut 80% of the time
> the rest is 20% on rutted pot holed logging roads & like to run 6080KM
>
> anybody with 15" SA rims like to tell me what they are using ?