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Date:         Sun, 19 Apr 2015 11:05:13 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Tires & Rims in (Western) Canada - Calgary
Comments: To: Steve Williams <steve@WILLIAMSITCONSULTING.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <55327ADD.9040509@williamsitconsulting.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

If willing to go for wheels consider going right to 16 or maybe even 17. Best options for getting tires of adequate load rating and actually improving ride and handling. With the vans gearing a slight increase in tire diameter is usually beneficial. Favorite size for 2WD is 225/60-16 or 225/55-17. At 26.5" this is just an inch taller than stock 40mm wider. With correct wheels no fitment problems. You won't get this spare in the existing clam shell but for a 2WD the original size spare will work to get you home. In a pinch these sizes are available anywhere and the standard 98 load index is still as good as or better than the original 205-70-14XL. Both these tires are readily available in extra load versions. The 225/60-14 does work well on the GoWesty wheels and still clears the sliding door.

Dennis

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Steve Williams Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2015 11:40 AM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Tires & Rims in (Western) Canada - Calgary

Hi,

Yes, more tire questions!

I currently have tires on 14 inch steel rims on my 1991 Westfalia. They need replacing and after having read the email list, multiple vendor sites, and the (lack of) availability for 14 inch tires, I am leaning towards getting 15 inch rims. Part of my concern would be tire replacement when travelling... I don't want to have to wait weeks for someone to order in a specific 14 inch tire! I feel the chances of getting a 15 inch replacement on the road are much better.

I feel that an All Season would be best for me as I don't drive in the winter, but fall in the Rockies can have unexpected snow storms & I've been caught more than once.

I haven't priced out ordering from the US, but with the current exchange rate, shipping, GST, etc it seems like a fairly expensive option. If I absolutely have to, I will order out of the US because I feel that tires are "cheap insurance" and a very important piece of safety equipment on my vehicles.

I would like to keep as close to stock size as possible as I do park in my garage and I have minimal clearance to get through the garage door.

Kal Tire carries Nokian, but their computer shows them totally out of stock (with no ETA) on the WRC (Van) tire in the 205/65/R15 size that I'm leaning towards. Load Rating, Load Range & Diameter & "All Season" rating are kind of my deciding points.

It's not a crisis as I won't have "Ruby" on the road until mid-June, but I'm trying to plan ahead. Ordering a 14" Nokian through Kal Tire came up with a bill over $1000 for them installed & balanced (shipping from US warehouse). The kicker was the 4 week delivery period! If I destroy tires somewhere, I can't wait 4 weeks for a tire to show up!.

Of course, I need 15 inch rims as well. What have other people done in Canada for tires & Rims? I don't have the patience to try to find something used on Kijiji or Craigslist.

I saw on the Van-Cafe website that they tried to get together a pallet shipment last xmas to ship to Calgary, but it didn't quite come together in the end. That might be one option... if we could revive that?

Cheers, Steve Williams 1991 Westfalia "Ruby" Calgary, Canada


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