Date:         Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:34:05 -0400
Reply-To:     VW Doka <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         VW Doka <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Wheel alternatives...
In-Reply-To:  <21071781.35696.1252952656528.JavaMail.mcneely4@127.0.0.1>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

The Germans don't allow anything to be modified that affect the safety
of any vehicle with engineering proof (e.g., Gutachten).  Every change
is documented and added to the vehicles registration record.

Cheers,

Jeff




On Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 2:24 PM,  <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:
> Hmmm.  So, what I'm hearing is that 15" or even 16" wheels were stock on the
> vehicle, yet to make wheels of that size fit, one has to modify the wheel,
> since the hub doesn't accommodate it.   That would suggest that not just the
> wheel but the hub was different for some markets than others.  I do
> understand that certain 15" wheels will fit without modification, just that
> many people find other 15" wheels that they prefer, for reasons of
> appearance or cost.
>
> Wonder why those Germans won't allow the modified wheels on their highways
> unless "certified" by a professional installer?  It's a conspiracy between
> government and shops to keep them in profits, right? ;-}
>
> Well, I think we likely have worn out this topic.  If the wheels work for
> you guys, and they are safe and legal, great.  Like someone said, no one is
> telling me I have to do it.  I understand the part about tire availability
> fully -- but good, safe, spec tires are available.
>
>
> On Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 1:06 PM , VW Doka wrote:
>
>> Mark,
>>
>> Not really a North American VW issue, more like a pre-1992 VW issue as
>> most of the T3s running around Europe came stock with 14" wheels just
>> like in the USA.
>>
>> As a matter of fact, most are still running around with 14's today.
>> Last time I checked, the online tire stores in Germany carried 12
>> different brands of 14" tires for the T3.
>>
>> Also, making a wheel change in Germany is more expensive since you
>> have to have it done professionally by a company that can provide the
>> Gutachten to keep your vehicle legal.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Jeff
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 1:56 PM, Mark Tuovinen  wrote:
>>>
>>> For North America VW chose to use 14' tires and wheels.  In other locales
>>> you could have 15" and even 16" for your van.  Those of us that trade up
>>> are
>>> not necessarily moving away from what VW engineers spec'd for but to a
>>> size
>>> that VW marketing chose not to give us.  The stock 14" tire size is
>>> limited
>>> in selection here and getting more so as the years pass.  Not many
>>> vehicles
>>> used a 185R14 of the proper load range in North America.