Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (September 2008, week 1)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Thu, 4 Sep 2008 13:20:50 -0700
Reply-To:     Jim Cochran <mxsailor@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Cochran <mxsailor@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Tire choce for vanagon with 14 inch wheels
Comments: To: BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <ccafde090809041212xe900cf7ja331a0f58912e658@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

Not to mention how cool that would look...

On Sep 4, 2008, at 12:12 PM, BenT Syncro wrote:

> Jeff, > > It really goes beyond tire threads. Any rear engined vehicle with a > majority > of the weight to the back, will have likely have poor handling in > crosswinds. When there isn't much weight over the wheels that you > steer > with, it will not take much to divert your steering. Tires with stiff > sidewalls will help. Putting the engine over the front wheels helps > even > more. As a compromise, you can lower the front of your VW to > transfer some > of the weight forward. Well, that and stiffer tires. > > > Cheers, > > BenT N. Dawind > > On Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 11:30 AM, Jeffrey Olson <jjolson@gwtc.net> > wrote: > >> To add a bit of context/story to the discussion. Back in 1974 when I >> had my first bus, a 1966 SO-42, I had new cheap passenger radials on >> it. Cool I thought. >> >> One of my strongest memories driving the bus was crossing the Bay >> Bridge >> into San Francisco in a stiff side wind. I was in the lane just in >> from >> the right lane. Suddenly, I found myself driving in the right >> lane. It >> only took a fraction of a second to get hit broadside with a gust of >> wind and be blown sideways a full lane over. To this day I am >> haunted >> the the thought that I usually travel in the right lane - roll of the >> dice... I have a better understanding from the numerous tire threads >> why this happened... >> >> Jeffrey Olson >> martin, SD >> >> John Rodgers wrote: >> >>> To add to Ron's comments -- >>> >>> One of the big issues with tire for Vanagons is that of Sidewall >>> stiffness. Vanagons are trucks,not automobiles. Vanagons are slab >>> sided, >>> non-aerodynamic vehicles prone to being pushed all over the place >>> in any >>> winds, plus they tend to be a bit top heavy unless there is a load >>> sitting on the floor inside. So a stiff sidewall is a necessity. >>> The old >>> Michelin MXT's had stiff sidewalls and the vehicle handled well. I'm >>> currently running a Michelin 205 75/R14 Commercial Truck Tire on >>> steel >>> rims and the side walls stand up when there is little air in the >>> tire. >>> Darnedest thing I ever saw. But on the road it handles like it was >>> on >>> rails - except in very wet conditions. When it is pouring down rain, >>> they tend to lose traction easily. But this is typical of truck >>> tires >>> when there is no heavy load on them. After all, truck tires are >>> designed >>> to perform differently than automobile tires. >>> >>> But again, a key element in selecting a tire for a Vanagon is the >>> sidewall stiffness. Without that stiffness, the van's handling >>> will be >>> squirrelly and in wind will be all over the road in inclement >>> weather. >>> >>> John Rodgers >>> 88 GL Driver >>> >>> The Bus Depot wrote: >>> >>>> 185R14C was standard for narrow steel wheels but many 86+ came with >>>>>> wider alloy wheels. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>> >>>> Hmmmm, am I gonna have a problema w/ the Haakka 185's on my alloys? >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> No. 185R14's are appropriate for 5.0 to 6.0 rim widths, and both >>>> the >>>> steel >>>> wheels and the alloys fall within that range. >>>> >>>> Actually I recommend the Hankook RA08 185R14's for Vanagons with or >>>> without >>>> factory alloys. In fact I have run them on my own Westies, with >>>> alloys, for >>>> 15 years now. The difference between a 185R14 and a 205/70/14 is >>>> width; both >>>> are the same height but the 205 is slightly wider. All things being >>>> equal, a >>>> slightly narrower tire such as the 185R14 will be better on wet >>>> roads, as it >>>> will be less prone to hydroplaning. A slightly wider tire will >>>> sacrifice >>>> wet weather traction in favor of better dry-weather traction. >>>> Personally, >>>> it's during severe driving conditons where I am most concerned >>>> about my >>>> tires' handling; my Vanagon feels very surefooted on dry roads >>>> regardless. >>>> So the 185R14 is the better solution for me. Also it happens to >>>> be a >>>> heck >>>> of a lot cheaper than a comparable 205/70/14 tire. >>>> >>>> My Tires page has a lot of information on choosing the right >>>> Vanagon >>>> tire, >>>> and dispells a lot of myths: >>>> >>>> http://busdepot.com/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 >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >>> > > > -- > BenT


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.