Date:         Mon, 20 Apr 2015 15:36:26 -0400
Reply-To:     The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Subject:      Re: TIRES - 205 70 14 or 185 R14???
Comments: cc: PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAOBs5F5ymoLVTQmpUeX63veMpd+J2q0u-65ZeAV12cAzvtMdhA@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

> I'm about to buy Hancook tires for my van.  From this forum, I figured that I would
> need Hancook RA08, 185R14, but my VW mechanic (Bela) told me he has
> 205 70 14 on his Westy, which is the same as Westy.  He said that the 205 would
> give better handling and better mileage.
> 
> What do you think?

The 185R14 and the 205 70 14 are the same height, but the latter is slightly wider. All things being equal, a wider tire will have slightly better dry-road handling, but will be be more prone to hydroplaning when it rains (also not as good on ice).  So it depends on which you are more concerned about, dry road handling or handling during bad weather.  As for gas mileage, all things being equal a wider tire will have more rolling resistance, so theoretically worse gas milesage than a narrower one.  But in both cases, the differences are minor.  

Ron Salmon
The Bus Depot, Inc.
www.busdepot.com