Date:         Mon, 20 Apr 2015 22:37:00 -0400
Reply-To:     Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: TIRES - 205 70 14 or 185 R14???
In-Reply-To:  <017401d07bd9$88b6deb0$9a249c10$@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252

Hi stuart and others,

        I am using the Van Cafe holder but If I could do it all over again I would just keep my clam shell and keep the 185 as a smaller spare.  Instead my local garage fabricated a special pair of wires that work together with the holder to secure my tire in place.  the reason I don’t love the Van Cafe holder is that I ended up paying a lot for this extra fabrication and I don’t like the way the tire is completely exposed under the front without the metal shell under it.  the holder is just metal bars. 
        At this point it is working fine and the tire is secure but I wish I had the knowledge I have now. 

        I would have purchased the 205 set of 4 and kept a 185 for the spare and not bothered with the replacement holder. 
        I still have my original clam shell and wires and may find it back in service again.

        My drivers do claim the 205 tires are a handling improvement over the 185 tires.

hopefully by the time I need new tires I will still be able to get them for my steel wheels and if not then so be it the large wheels will have to arrive.

Eric Caron 
85 GL Auto Westfalia 



> On Apr 20, 2015, at 10:19 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Well, I guess I'll stick to my 185 spare! I tried Van Café's bigger carrier,
> but it's for a much bigger tire than a 205 14.  Sold it on Craigslist. 

> 
> Stuart
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dennis Haynes [mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com] 
> Sent: Monday, April 20, 2015 3:37 PM
> To: 'Stuart MacMillan'; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: RE: TIRES - 205 70 14 or 185 R14???
> 
> The vans that were equipped with the 205's have a different tray, hold
> downs, and one of the hoses was different. 
> 
> Dennis
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Stuart MacMillan
> Sent: Monday, April 20, 2015 2:50 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: TIRES - 205 70 14 or 185 R14???
> 
> I replaced my '87's steel wheels with alloys, and 205 doesn't fit.  Only at
> about 20 PSI will it fit.
> 
> 
> 
> The later 205 clamshell has an extended attaching lip about an inch longer
> than mine, so are you saying that if the van came from the factory with
> alloys and 185 tires it has the modified clamshell?  Or did all Vanagons
> that came with alloy wheels have 205s and the bigger clamshell?
> 
> 
> 
> Inquiring minds want to know!
> 
> 
> 
> Stuart
> 
> 
> 
> From: JordanVw@aol.com [mailto:JordanVw@aol.com]
> Sent: Monday, April 20, 2015 11:29 AM
> To: stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: TIRES - 205 70 14 or 185 R14???
> 
> 
> 
> In a message dated 4/20/2015 2:27:20 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM writes:
> 
> That's a better option, but it won't fit in your spare tire clamshell if
> your van came with the 185's. Keep one of the old tires for your spare, or
> buy one 185. BTDT.  Consider that the spare is for short term use only.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 205 would fit in her carrier, she has alloys.