Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:50:36 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Tire search 27-8.50-14 realities
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
While this size tire is LT rated there are a few things that should be
considered for use on the Vanagon. Heavy construction is not always the best
solution to load carrying capacity as the extra material also causes
additional heating and at highway speeds it is really the heating from
flexing and turning that limit a tires capacity and causes load (heat
related failures.
The load index of this tire is only 95. The OEM 205/70-14 was 97, the
General Altimax in this size is 98. A standard 215/70-14 is 96. The maximum
carrying capacity of this tire is 1,520 pounds @ 50 psi. The Syncro rear
axle rating 3042 and front is 2866. So you are really right at the limit and
the front has to be at nearly the same inflation pressure as the rear to
carry that load. Passenger car tires including the XL versions actually
reach tier full rated capacity at 32 or 35 psi and the ability to be
inflated to 44 psi is to accommodate handling and rolling resistance
requirements. This is why VW used 36 psi as the recommended pressure for
the front tires on the 205/70-14XL equipped vans.
So if we go to a 215/70-14 that tire is rated 1554@36 psi but better ones
can be inflated to 44 psi. They may also be available in higher speed
ratings. (This size is also disappearing). Still marginal especially if you
consider the de-rate.
This size-style (floatation) of tire is really best suited for some off road
deep snow, mud gravel operation. Strong designs to resist punctures. The
open tread does actually leave less rubber on the road although that can
make for some great aquaplaning resistance. However there is a difference
between aquaplaning ( tire floats) and simple skidding/sliding on the wet
surface. While great to get you moving in snow nothing like a winter
performance tire to help you stop and steer in light snow and surface
ice/water.
Being around Syncros I promoted these tires in the early days. Many folks
that used them for long highway trips ultimately had issues with them. Worst
was inside delamination of the liner. Unknown until you start seeing bubbles
on the outside.
Considering the big engine at some point a tire/wheel upgrade is in order.
Then you have the opportunity to upgrade at least the front brakes. If you
want the tall but reasonable look consider 215/65-16. With some work you can
get that into the spare tire tray. A 235/60-16 is the same diameter. I am
going with 235/55-17X on mine. And using some thinner same diameter tire as
a spare or a rear tire carrier or better yet a drive shaft de-coupler. All
of these sizes are readily available even in XL versions.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Scott Daniel - Turbovans
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2013 3:48 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Tire search
Hi Dick,
if you guy a brand new identical Bridgestone ..
it will be close enough.
you are actually suppossed to rotate 5 tires on a regular basis so you
have 5 indentical tires if you get a flat.
11K miles is not that much.
I'd buy a brand new one, and identical tire by brand, size, and model..
and run it on the right rear for a while.
The after say 1OK, rotate it to the right front ...and rotate the other ones
in whatever 5 tire rotation system you are using.
fyi ..serious hard core syncro owners sometimes get 6 new tires, and rotate
6 ..
so if they have a total failure of one tire, say to a serious rock pumcture,
they still have 5 identical tires.
You may have seen I highly approve of that size and load rating for a 14
inch tire, if it's an LT or C load rating tire, also called 6PR.
'scuze me for not reading further.
If you can't get that exact tire, then it looks like you are down to finding
a tire, new or used, or exactly the same diameter, more or less, then rotate
the 4 you are running now.
a factor to consider is if whatever spare you get will fit the spare tire
carrier ..
27 X 8.50 R14 is a tight fit I think.
There are aftermarket 'deeper' spare tire carriers ., but I have yet to
see one that protects the side of the spare tire like stock clamshell one
does, which makes no sense to me.
scott
www.turbovans.com
On 1/10/2013 12:16 AM, Dick Wong wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I am looking for 1 tire to use as a spare for my GL Syncro. I have 4
> Bridgestone Dueler A/T 693, 27x8.50-14 on the 4 corners now. They
> only have about 11K miles on them, per the PO and I tend to believe
> him since they have a lot of meat left on them. I don't plan to buy
> new tires, but the spare is a Dayton SR, 205/70R14 M+S. The
> speedometer is dead on and I like the ride with the Bridgestones.
>
> Does anyone have one of these Bridgestone tires laying around that I
> could buy? I don't really care if they are worn as long as they are
> still legal since it will only be used as a spare. The model was
> succeeded by the 693II and then the 695. I will even settle for the
> same size of a different brand tire. I am in Foster City , CA and
> will come pick up in the greater bay area.
>
> Thanks.
>
> -Dick Wong-
> 78 Scirocco
> Original Owner
> 87 Syncro 2.5 (slightly crispy)
> Third Owner
> 12 Golf TDI
> Original Co-Owner
>