Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:51:54 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Tires
In-Reply-To: <8CEEBFB887ECA6F-13E0-33430@webmail-m061.sysops.aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
There are numerous choices.
One place you could study is in the Tire Reviews at Roadhaus.com.
some other sizes besides 185R14 that will work nicely ...
195 R14
195/75 R 14 LT
205/70 R 14 Reinforced ( the 'reinforced' part will be hard to find. It
is an original vanagon tire on some vanagons )
27 X 8.50 R 14 LT ( I like this one a lot ...just a 'nice amount'
bigger )
I think I am the only guy that says this..
and I believe in it strongly.
for the best combination of decent ride, good turn-in, and cornering
stability..
run 8PR ( D load rating ) in the rear , 6 PR ( C load rating ) in the front.
not that the 6PR load rating is stock for vanagons on the tire sticker ,
and the very common 8PR in 185R14 is too to stiff in the front in my
opinion. ( plus it's true ).
Do most vanagon drivers even know what 'turn-in' is ?
that's how well it responds initially to steering input. You want it
nicely responsive..
not a dull pig, and not over sensitive either.
really well sorted and balanced vehicles ( tires, wheel size and width,
shocks, springs etc ) go right where you point them almost 'automatically.'
The single best handling vanagon I have ever driven ..
of hundreds I've driven was an 86 Syncro Doka .... seating for 6 ,
non-walkthrough behind the front seats, 2.1 wbxr engine, 27 X 8.50 R14
LT tires on some aftermarket 14 inch alloy wheel.
It was noticeably quieter having the engine outside of the box the
people are in ...
and it 'drove itself' on a semi-curvy road in the 45 to 60 mph range.
Adjust tire pressures for handling first I say ..
the factory tire sticker speaks to that..on the driver's door frame.
scott
www.turbovans.com
On 4/18/2012 9:25 PM, Steven Sittser wrote:
>> From: Dennis Haynes
>> Stock wheels, steel 14 x 5.5 or Alloy 14 X 6?
> I forgot there were multiple options for "stock". I have steel wheels. My tires have all been size 185R14, and I'm unclear about what other sizes (if any) are appropriate.
>
> - Steven Sittser
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Steven Sittser
> Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 7:25 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Tires
>
> It's time for new tires, and I'm looking for advice.
>
> I know, there's lots of tire discussion on the list and elsewhere. I've
> read through much of it. It's hard to distill it down to what's currently
> available and appropriate for my van, though. The variety of sizes and
> options, and the consequences of using different sizes, are somewhat
> bewildering
>
> Here's what I'm looking for:
>
> I have an '88 Westy with stock wheels. I don't want to change to new
> wheels. These roll. I like them.
>
> What's most important to me is good, safe handling and traction. I want
> good traction in the rain. We don't get enough snow here (St. Louis) to
> justify snow tires or chains, but, when we do get snow, I'd like to be able
> to drive to work safely, even when the roads aren't quite cleared yet, or if
> it's a bit icy.
>
> I guess I'm OK with not-quite-stock-size tires that make my speedometer read
> slightly differently, if it's worth the bit of extra trouble. The
> speedometer's 10 mph off now anyway. (I need to open it up and fix it.)
>
> I've used Michelin Agilis 61's in the past, and mostly been happy with them.
> I would have liked better rain and snow traction, though.
>
> My most recent set of tires is Hankook RA08's. I think I like them a little
> better than the Michelins - I think the rain and snow traction might be a
> bit better. They didn't last nearly as long as the Michelins, though: the
> Michelins lasted seven and a half years but the Hankooks lasted only three
> and a half years.
>
> I guess my current plan is to get the Hankooks again - I guess the possibly
> somewhat better traction is a good trade for the durability.
>
> However, I wondered if there might be a better choice out there somewhere.
> Does anyone have experience with a different tire that they'd recommend, for
> stock wheels, ideally with better rain and snow handling? Greater
> durability and lower price are always a plus, too.
>
> Best tires I ever had (not on the Vanagon): Bridgestone Turanza T's. Great
> traction and handling in all weather.
>
> Worst: Dean Quasars. Inexpensive, and wore like iron, but pretty slippery
> in rain or snow. I was excited when they finally wore out, and I replaced
> them with the Turanza T's (which I'd already grown to like on my wife's
> car).
>
> Thanks for any help!
>
> - Steven Sittser
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Steven Sittser
> Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 7:25 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Tires
>
> It's time for new tires, and I'm looking for advice.
>
> I know, there's lots of tire discussion on the list and elsewhere. I've
> read through much of it. It's hard to distill it down to what's currently
> available and appropriate for my van, though. The variety of sizes and
> options, and the consequences of using different sizes, are somewhat
> bewildering
>
> Here's what I'm looking for:
>
> I have an '88 Westy with stock wheels. I don't want to change to new
> wheels. These roll. I like them.
>
> What's most important to me is good, safe handling and traction. I want
> good traction in the rain. We don't get enough snow here (St. Louis) to
> justify snow tires or chains, but, when we do get snow, I'd like to be able
> to drive to work safely, even when the roads aren't quite cleared yet, or if
> it's a bit icy.
>
> I guess I'm OK with not-quite-stock-size tires that make my speedometer read
> slightly differently, if it's worth the bit of extra trouble. The
> speedometer's 10 mph off now anyway. (I need to open it up and fix it.)
>
> I've used Michelin Agilis 61's in the past, and mostly been happy with them.
> I would have liked better rain and snow traction, though.
>
> My most recent set of tires is Hankook RA08's. I think I like them a little
> better than the Michelins - I think the rain and snow traction might be a
> bit better. They didn't last nearly as long as the Michelins, though: the
> Michelins lasted seven and a half years but the Hankooks lasted only three
> and a half years.
>
> I guess my current plan is to get the Hankooks again - I guess the possibly
> somewhat better traction is a good trade for the durability.
>
> However, I wondered if there might be a better choice out there somewhere.
> Does anyone have experience with a different tire that they'd recommend, for
> stock wheels, ideally with better rain and snow handling? Greater
> durability and lower price are always a plus, too.
>
> Best tires I ever had (not on the Vanagon): Bridgestone Turanza T's. Great
> traction and handling in all weather.
>
> Worst: Dean Quasars. Inexpensive, and wore like iron, but pretty slippery
> in rain or snow. I was excited when they finally wore out, and I replaced
> them with the Turanza T's (which I'd already grown to like on my wife's
> car).
>
> Thanks for any help!
>
> - Steven Sittser
>
| 
