The Vanagon really works best with a matched set of 4 tires. AT's on back and good highways tires up front could make for some weird handling especially in emergency situations. For ultimate handling I like the 225/60-16's. These are 26.5" diameter and the standard load index is usually 97. Just be sure they are rated to 44 psi inflation pressure and use the same as the door sticker indicates for the factory 205/70-14 reinforced. This size is also available in reinforced versions. This is a very common size. For those that want a bit more height you can go to a 215/65-16 or even a 235/60-16. Note that the 225 or 235 will NOT fit in the spare tire tray. For wheels, the CV-900 from Derek Drew are among the best. Dennis -----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Shawn Wright Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2010 7:43 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Two failed tires... :-( Last week I found a bad gash in one of my Yokohama 370s up front, so I planned to swap my BFG ATs from rear to front and put my Conti spares on the rear. I figured this would be a good chance to try the BFGs on the front, as I've never tried them (I only have 2). I was shocked to find a horrible bulge about 1" diameter in the tread of a BFG, where a previous patch was made (a proper inside patch done at Kal Tire). It is so bulged that the steel belts are showing and worn through, exposing the layer beneath. Ack. So that makes 2 bad tires in 2 weeks, meaning I am definitely looking at a full set, probably with new 15 or 16" wheels. I'm currently reading this thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=203519 trying to glean as much info as possible on wheel options. I hadn't planned on this now, but it seems I have no choice. I was able to return the EV 15" wheels I bought as they were not a good fit (ET55), so I'm shopping for options. I'm considering 16x7 ET35 wheels from tirerack (same as GoWesty sells) with BFG AT 215/70R16. -- Shawn Wright |
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Vanagon mail messages have been archived.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.