The 195/75-14 inch tire is the stock size diameter and this tire is a great compromise tire. Any AT tire will give up some traction, handling, ride quality as compared to a good performance or street tire. As for larger tires a 215mm width is the most you can get into the spare tire carrier (with some effort) and 27" diameter is the most you want with stock engine, gears, and brakes. If you are willing to go for wheels 16" gives some great options such as 215/65-16. Nokian has awesome all season tires that also work super off road and on highway. Check them out. That size also offers great load capacity standard and extra load. Dennis
-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of James V Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 7:59 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Syncro All-Terrain Tires: 14" vs 15" ? A slightly different tire question, I think: I'm in the market for some all-terrain tires for my Syncro Westy with stock 2.1L. I have some off-road experience, but none in my new Syncro. I'm eager to explore back country and moderate 'wheeling trails, but also know the majority of miles will be paved. I already have both 14" and 15" wheel sets that I can use. I don't want to "plus size," as I want to retain sidewall height for off-road. Should I: a) Go with 14" wheels and the newly available 195/75R14 BFG T/A KO tires? (I've found few if any other suitable 14" AT options) The primary benefit of this being the size is close to stock, so it would have little effect on gearing. or b) Go with 15" wheels and 215/75 or 225/70 15" tires? The increased size has its benefits off-road, but it would increase the gearing about 5-8%. I'd have a few additional tire options in addition to the BFGs (including some lighter, slightly less aggressive, yet very capable treads). All input welcome, but I'm specifically interested in comments/experience from Syncro owners about the cost/benefit of gearing vs tire size off road. Thanks! James V 86 Syncro Westy, etc |
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Vanagon mail messages have been archived.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.