Date:         Mon, 20 Apr 2015 18:27:19 -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 - 205 70 14 or 185 R14???
Comments: To: PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAOBs5F6dNALHXVt5ybS9R3LtGscdntGo-hWXXMBY9OHwvGO4vA@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Just confirm that 205-/70-14 has the load index of 98. The sidewall will be marked "Extra Load". Also, when you buy tires you want to check the date manufacture. You don’t want to begin with 2-3 year old tires. The 205's will work on the factory wheels both alloy and steel. 

Dennis


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of PB
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2015 5:58 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: TIRES - 205 70 14 or 185 R14???

Thanks for your replies. I'm not willing to change my wheels, I
*​NEED*

​(not want) ​
new tires, and w
​ould like
 to make sure I'm getting the right ones for my Westy. I read all the material you sent me. Some of the tires that were suggested are unavailable ​, or would require additional modifications in order to fit properly​ .  That's why I chose the Hancook RA08 in 185 ​
-14
​, but when I called Bela to ask if he did wheel alignments, he suggested the 205 tires that he has on his own Westy, which is the same as my Westy.
​Patti
90 Westy Automatic​
Los Angeles

​*****************************************************​

On Monday, April 20, 2015, vw_van_fan_Mark <madvws@cox.net> wrote:

> The 205/70/14 is slightly smaller diameter. That means if you rely on 
> the speedo and odometer the same as before you will be traveling a 
> little slower than before without knowing it, thus getting better 
> mileage, plus the odometer will record a few more miles per tank over 
> the same actual distance. Combined these 2 effects could add up to 
> maybe a seeming 1/2 mpg "better" but really not.
>
> If you have stock alloys I would strongly consider the 205 if the Load 

> Index was sufficient. Uh oh, tire thread danger.
>
> Mark
>
> PB wrote:
>
>> 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?
>> Patti
>> 90 Westy Automatic
>> Los Angeles
>>
>>