Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2013 22:44:30 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 1986 Westfalia with 16" tires
In-Reply-To: <5247836A.1090403@cfu.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
So what pressure are you running them at? Maybe too much for the load. That
tire offers little for ride or handling. Basic straight line down highway
tire. That tire is also much taller than the 215-60. The 225-60 will be
shorter and wider eliminating the rub.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Max Wellhouse
Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2013 9:34 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 1986 Westfalia with 16" tires
On 9/28/2013 6:20 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> That size tire is only slightly taller-wider than stock. Should not be
> an issue at all if the wheel offset is acceptable. You do need to be
> aware of the load capacity. There are very few tires in this size with the
XL rating.
> A standard tire in this size has a load index of only 95, (1,521 lbs.).
> After de-rating for light truck this is a marginal fitment. The XL
> rating in this size gets you to a 99 load index, (1,709 lbs.).
> Hopefully when they installed the lower springs they also changed the
> bump stops at the top of the shocks. If not you may not have
> sufficient suspension travel for rough roads. Maintaining caster and
camber alignment sometimes becomes an issue.
> Next tire change consider the 225/60-16. That slight change ups the
> load rating considerably and gets you onto a common tire size
> including a lot of XL offerings.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of Alain Thibault
> Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2013 6:54 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: 1986 Westfalia with 16" tires
>
> Allo
> The van that I am looking to buy ( (1986 Vanagon westy) comes with
> 215-60-16 tires. Looks pretty cool... The van has been lowered with
> shorter springs from Van Cafe and adjustable Koni shocks were
> installed. The owner says that with the combination of shorter springs
> and Koni shocks the highway handling has improved dramatically and
> keeping up with traffic through the corners is no problem and brake
> dive is almost nonexistent. I am wondering however if there would be
> any rubbing issues with such a setting...he says no but I have doubts
> as I have never seen 16" tires on a Vanagon...what would you guys say?
> Thanks
> Alain
>
> Sent from my iPad 2
My Mercedes Wheels(98-02 CLK Alloys) and 215/65/16 Continental Vanco II's do
fine if you lke riding in a lumber truck. Had to add longer front studs but
the backs were fine. If I have the van totally loaded with all my flea
market tool sale stuff, the van will ride low enough that tire rub is an
issue on a hard bump during a turn or climbing up, but with that much
weight, it rides much better wit htose mega load tires. They're like 108's
for load rating, but the regular Vanco tire is borderline on the load cap.
Just put a hole in one of the side walls last week. Tire Rack is getting
156 bucks for a new one plus $26 to ship it. Really need to decide what my
next set of tires will be pretty soon......
YMMV
DM&FS
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