Date:         Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:45:39 -0700
Reply-To:     John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Why go to big tires?
In-Reply-To:  <4BCC30ED.5070400@mischko.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

> On the note with your pics of this spring chagne, you mention that it's
> done so that the big tires clear.  What's the upside to going with
> bigger than stock tires on these rigs?
>
>
Well, in this case it was just a case of one thing leading to another. I had
the stupid Hydroedge tires on it previously, the ones that came with the 16"
rims. After the third flat I got from simply driving over a railroad
crossing near my work, I decided to quit throwing good money after bad and
get some decent tires. Then, after perusing Tire Rack to see what was
around, I decided that I didn't just want decent tires, I wanted freakin'
bulletproof tires. I found the smallest BFG AT TA KO's in R16 were the
215/70, which were 28" diameter--- like exactly the limit to fit.
Unfortunately, BFG's are even more expensive than the $160 Hydroedges I was
replacing. So I went to my tire guy and he called around and found that
Hankook has an AT TA KO clone for $110. Only problem was, the smallest was a
225/70. No problem, at 28.5" diameter they should still fit.

And fit they did. No contact when I turned, no contact on bumps.
Unfortunately, I found if I turned AND went over a bump it touched the
fender lip. Easy fix, I thought, the fender lips are all banged up and bent
anyway (damn PO managed to scrape the fenders, plus the slider door) so I'll
just trim them. Trimming1/2" didn't quite do it. I still had a little
contact somewhere. So I got the springs.

It even appears that the 11% tire size difference has lowered my highway RPM
enough to actually offset the loss in efficiency for the bigger tires. I'm
still getting solid 20MPG on my daily commute (75mph both ways). Also
interesting, I've found that the 11% reduction actually HELPS climbing
hills. It still can't climb any better in 4th gear than it ever could, but
now at least I can do 60mph in 3rd gear.  I overall like the new tire size.

--
John Bange