Date:         Fri, 15 Jul 2011 19:11:57 -0700
Reply-To:     David Vickery <david_vickery@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Vickery <david_vickery@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Wheels and tires
In-Reply-To:  <CAAj276wx6MtxS8UMagfDPcLqKMEMrtA4bn580ZVwPxQh4Kizzw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hey Ralph, most wheels are not a direct fit for the vanagon.  Some mods are required.  If they happen to have tires on them, they would probably not be suitable for a vanagon.  And in a 15" tire there are actually fewer choices than in 14" for a tire that is about the same size as the original.

What kind of tires are you looking for?  There are some choices in summer highway tires.  If you want an all season tire, the  Nokian Hakkapelitta CS in the 195R14 size would be my choice. (see van-cafe.com).    Hankook RA08 comes in that size too, 195R14, and would be a good summer tire choice (see Busdepot.com).  There are also a couple 205/70r14 XL tires (rated 98 XL).  Hankook makes one and General makes the Alti Max.  I think there is only one all terrain tire in the correct size and strength the BFG KO LT195/75r14 and it has a pretty offroad tread.  Goodyear Wrangler also makes an AT tire in the LT195/75R14 size (see Sears).  It is expensive and techically below spec for the van, but it would be fine.  Continental Vanco makes a summer highway tire.  Search or call around for 185r14 or 195r14 tires.  Or search LT195/75r14 or 205/70r14 XL.  You won't find many more choices than I listed above.  Cooper has one.

Harry, that Primewell tire is an economy passenger tire and not what most people would want on a vanagon.  If you are considering passenger tires, they should inflate to 44 psi and have a load index of at least 96 (many people will still say that is totally inadequate).  You can get that load rating in the 215/70r14 size, just make sure the tire will inflate to 44.  225/70r14 is another passenger tire that will fit most vans and is rated to 98 but is an inch taller and the spare probably wouldn't fit in the clamshell if you get 5 tires.  What tires are you replacing?

There is a difference between a commercial, LT, reinforced or XL tire compared to a regular passenger tire.  If you don't know the difference, you are better off sticking with the original specs. which limits you to the Continental, a Nokian, or a Hankook in a 185r14 or 195r14 size.  Yokohama makes one too (Y356), but I think it is the worst tire of them all.  There might a couple others, but not many.


--- On Fri, 7/15/11, ralph meyermann <ralphmeyermann@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Also on this same issue anyone know of any other vehicle that has wheels
> that i can use on my 82 westy... I have a line on some mercedes wheels
> for$300. But no tires.
>
> On Jul 15, 2011 7:05 PM, "Harry Hoffman" <hhoffman@ip-solutions.net>
>
> OK, I'm on the same quest for tires.
>
> I stopped by Midas and they quoted me the following tires:
> Part# 092-336 PRIMEWELL PS850 @ $101.59/ea
> Ply: 95T Walls: BW Load Rating: 95