Date: Wed, 2 Nov 2016 15:38:15 -0700
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 14" tires, report...
In-Reply-To: <B7FBD6C1-9D64-44D8-B858-31C1B8CDAD9F@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Yes, it's a great solution for all four wheels. I ran this way here in the
NW when my '84 was a daily driver with very good results, including in the
mountains.
Steering was great, but you'll need "poor man's positraction"--using the
parking brake to stop wheel spin when you get stuck or fishtail. Just hold
the button in and modulate your pull, it works amazingly well. I've gotten
out of some serious jams that would have needed a tow without this trick.
It can be used to your advantage on slow, slippery turns too.
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Dennis Jowell
Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2016 3:19 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 14" tires, report...
Does it make sense to install 4 studded m&s tires for the winter on my 2wd
88' Westy camper? Last winter I slid all over the place with fairly new RO8'
tires on the Westy. There was only about 1/4 of wet snow on main street St.
J Vermont. We are still planning our trip to Yorktown Va. After
thanksgiving. I want to have a safe trip. Any thoughts!
Dennis J
Dennis Jowell
Scotch Hollow Farm
Newbury, Vermont
> On Oct 24, 2016, at 12:49 PM, KIM BRENNAN <kimbrennan@MAC.COM> wrote:
>
> I have used Comtrac and Winter Comtrac tires on my syncros. The summer
ones wear very well. The winter ones are good as well and quieter than the
Nokians I have used.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Oct 24, 2016, at 11:27 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>
>> I've just run a few tanks of gas through my tintop 84 5 sp with new
>> Vredistein comtrac tires on the rear(2 wd). These were pointed out
>> by
>> Dennis...195/14 c , a commercial van tire. They are fine at about
>> $100 each from tires easy.com...free delivery.
>>
>> I have to agree with Scott, who's always suggested "c" rears and "d"
>> fronts...it does make the Vanagon handle well... The 195 size
>> measures about 6" more in circumference than the 205-70R 14 Go Form
>> brand I took off... approximately 10% higher gearing for my
>> van...makes for more shifts on the highway at speed as I "baby" my
>> aging ABA Jetta motor by NOT lugging it...55mph is now right at
>> 3700rpm in 4th gear...so longer more substantial hwy grades find me
>> in 4th more often, while 5th is about 10% lower revving... We'll see
>> on fuel consumption, but I'm guessing it will decline a little from my
past 25~...mpg.
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