Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:06:40 EDT
Reply-To: SESRating@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Pat Patterson <SESRating@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: 15" VS. 16' WHEELS
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Airliners have lots of weight, take off and land at high speed and have
anti-skid. Their tires are made to get them from the ramp to the air and
back to the ramp from the air. They are not made for driving distances or
cornering are often retreads and leave lots of rubber on the runway.
I agree that a wider tire is more prone to hydroplaning but a larger tire
and wheel give room for bigger brakes and more contact area for stopping..
With the proper load rating and lower profile the ride improves in wind and
on winding roads. Tires have improved since these vans were designed and
there are different tires for different driving conditions and types. Lots
of cars used to use 14" tires, not many do these days.
With more powerful engines and higher speeds it is nice to be able to have
larger tires to lower rpm's without changing gearing. I was content with
my 2.1 and stock brakes to go 67 mph max, slower up hills and not getting
too close to the cars ahead. Now with a 2.5 Subi, 225x65x16 tires and big
brakes I can go 88 mph or faster, stop quickly without stepping hard on the
brake and maybe going on the shoulder if I have doubts it will stop in
time. I feel safe towing up to 2000 lbs with out trailer brakes while loaded
Just my opinion and 2.5c
Pat is SC near Charlotte NC
d:
I wonder if that is true on a wet surface.
Airliner aircraft have very deeply ribbed tires so as to let the raised
ribs of the tire cut through the wet surface to get a grip on the
pavement to avoid hydro-planing. The water is worked up into the space
between the ribs. Airliners have some serious braking power when needed
even on wet pavement.
Auto tires aren't particular good that way, so that is why my question.
While it doesn't look so "cool", it seems like that Vanagon factory
original skinny wheel designed by the engineers for the Vanagon is the
best tire/rim/brake combination for good stopping power. and control.
Wide tries and wide contact surfaces make for much lighter weight
distribution per square inch and less braking control. Would be easy to
hydro-plane.
John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL,
In a message dated 3/16/2010 12:32:30 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
inua@CHARTER.NET writes:
I wonder if that is true on a wet surface.
Airliner aircraft have very deeply ribbed tires so as to let the raised
ribs of the tire cut through the wet surface to get a grip on the
pavement to avoid hydro-planing. The water is worked up into the space
between the ribs. Airliners have some serious braking power when needed
even on wet pavement.
Auto tires aren't particular good that way, so that is why my question.
While it doesn't look so "cool", it seems like that Vanagon factory
original skinny wheel designed by the engineers for the Vanagon is the
best tire/rim/brake combination for good stopping power. and control.
Wide tries and wide contact surfaces make for much lighter weight
distribution per square inch and less braking control. Would be easy to
hydro-plane.
John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com
Chris S wrote:
> I found that with the larger 215/60 16 tires my Westy actually stops
> better due to wider contact patch. The wheel/tire combo is 6 lb each
> lighter than stock wheels as well.
>
> 2010/3/15, Roger Whittaker <rogerwhitt1@gmail.com>:
>
>> dear wheels
>> it would be my advice that if you increase your wheel size to 16
>> that you also increase your brake size alll-around
>> your choice ... simply offering some advice...
>> 16 is a full two sizes up from OEM 14 ...
>> yours
>>
>> On Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 6:29 AM, David Clarkson <dvdclarksn@aol.com>
wrote:
>>
>>
>>> It's time for some new and larger tires/wheels for my 90 Westfalia. I
had
>>> pretty well decided on 15" wheels but in looking at used ones many
folks
>>> were selling 15" wheels to move up to 16" wheels. I think that with
some
>>> 16"
>>> wheel/tire configurations there may be interference problems that
can't be
>>> solved with different spacers/lugs/studs. Anyone have any convincing
>>> arguments for either size? Thanks list.
>>> ?
>>> David Clarkson
>>> 9o Westy-getting makeover and cosmetics
>>>
>>>
>>
>> --
>> roger w
>> From Proverbs:
>> Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a
>> servant who becomes king ...
>> ----------------------------------------------------------
>> Explore printed work at: http://www.prliving.ca/
>> View the growing list of video work at:
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>>
>>
>
>
