Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:11:09 -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: Tire size
In-Reply-To: <4F639A4F.2040207@turbovans.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
He was talking about 27.8" tires making a dog out of his van, not the 27x8.5 which is an inch shorter than that. The 27x8.5 is about as big as I would go on a 2wd with a stock engine.
In any case, the 27x8.5 tire is almost a dynosaur with only the General Grabber left in that size. Sears sells a mastercraft in tht size but it is like $220ea, so who is buying those.
The 225/70-14 is the same size as the 27x8.5, exact revs/mile, and is readily available. It carries a higher max load at a lower inflation pressure but can go up to 44psi in certain brands. It does not have reinforced sidewalls, but is wide enough to be stable in my experience. I drove on 2 sets of them and wore out the Bridestone Duelers in that size (which they don't make anymore- bummer). I prefer those tires over a C load tire in 27x8.5 because it is a more comfy ride. But if you like an agressive tread the grabber is nice.
Dave
--- On Fri, 3/16/12, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM> wrote:
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Tire size
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Friday, March 16, 2012, 1:53 PM
re that 'turned my 2.1 into a dog on any mild grade.'...
I like larger rear tires in 2WD ...
I can't say I've actually run a 27 X 8.50 with a 2WD 2.1 vanagon ..
but I run a 215/65 R15 in two of my 2WD vanagons...
I measure the unloaded diameter at 26 inches..
and in either my 87 Wolfsburg running a 1.9 wbxr on Digifant EFI,
or my 85 Adventurewagon running a 2.1 on Dijiget EFI ..
both of those vans do just fine on any mild grade.
I do spend hours getting them to run as perfectly as they can though,
for what they are.
I know a guy with a 2.1 wbxr syncro 7 passenger ..
runs 27 X 8.50's all around...
and they 'look' very just right for a 14 ...he seems happy with his power.
YMMV as they say !
On 3/16/2012 12:41 AM, Bob Stevens wrote:
> On Thu, Mar 15, 2012 at 10:25 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans<
> scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
>
>> "27.8" diameter"
>> sounds suspiciously like to the tire size 27 X 8.50 R14 LT ..
>> which is a GREAT 14 inch vanagon tire size.
>>
> Actually, that tire size is 26.8" diameter, which my 2.1 handled OK, but
> not the 27.8
> Michelin's I had later. Turned the van into a dog on any mild grades,
> especially
> with any wind.
>
> bob
>
