Date:         Sat, 17 Dec 2011 20:21:06 -0700
Reply-To:     Larry Plotkin <zeplotkin@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Plotkin <zeplotkin@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 27 in tires in clamshell
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"Can 27in tires 27x8.5x14 be made to fit in the clamshell of a 2wd?"


Maybe.  I've been doing that for years, in an 87 2WD that had OEM alloys
and 205/70 14s.  There's a Goodrich TA KO in there now.  But ... I carry
an electric air pump and a little hydraulic jack, like a 1 1/2 or 2 ton
bottle style jack.  Let some air out of the tire so it's squishable and
then push it up into position with the jack.  Worked fine for me last
year when I blew out a new (General) tire and put a serious ding in the
alloy about a hundred miles from a tow and probably 50 from a cell phone
signal.  Get out in the dirt, get out the spare and get the pump going
on it while I pull the wheel, back on the nasty road in a half hour.

That said, somebody that knows more about tires than me may have
something to say about how happy the tire is about that.  I do know the
Discount Tire guys that replaced the blown one when I got home were not
happy at all -- 2 guys fought for at least 20 minutes to get the spare
re-stowed.  But for me with hydraulic help, 5 minutes.