Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2013 20:33:30 -0500
Reply-To: Max Wellhouse <dimwittedmoose@CFU.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Max Wellhouse <dimwittedmoose@CFU.NET>
Subject: Re: 1986 Westfalia with 16" tires
In-Reply-To: <BAY405-EAS22871A1E061347E877786C9A02A0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
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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