Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (September 2017, week 3)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Sat, 16 Sep 2017 10:40:53 -0400
Reply-To:     Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: fitting 205/70R14 on 14 X 5.5 wheels?
Comments: To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CY4PR20MB1303BFA3D3E74B6B17520B59A06D0@CY4PR20MB1303.namprd20.prod.outlook.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Tires-easy provided my Achilles Multivan 205/65-16 with a 102 rating for a very reasonable price.

Stephen

Mobile

> On Sep 16, 2017, at 9:52 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote: > > Beginning in 87 the VW offered the 205/70-14 as an option. It was a Michelin MXL with a load index of 97 and max inflation of 40 psi. Yes, in this size it is a bit shorter than the 185R14 and some brands are really short. 87 to 87 had some really optimistic speedometers-odometers. When I was running the stock wheels I would go to a 215/7014 which had a load index of 96, 1,554 pound as compared to the MXL of 1,580. Bridgestone Potenza HP-41. Survived an Alaska trip including the haul road to Prudhoe Bay without a single tire problem. > > While tire rack has a lot of choices their selection seems focused on popularity. They are there to sell tires and make money, not just carry inventory. Tires easy and sometimes Simple Tire has a better selection of more specialized stuff. > > For three season use on the Vanagon my favorite tire now is the Nokian eNtyre. Usually made in Russia. There are 2 versions of the tire the later-better one being the eNtyre2. There is a significant price difference. Both of these tires are available in a 215/60-16 Load index 99 and the 225/60-16 Load index 102. Note that as you go into the 225/60 the standard load index is 98. > > The Sumitomo is a very good tire. It is cool looking and works well in the wet. It is surprisingly quiet considering the open tread. It is similar if not exactly the same as the Falken ZX950. Falken mentions winter capabilities so maybe the tread compound is different. They come from the same molds. Made in Thailand. > > A few years ago I began using 17 inch wheels. There seem to be a few more choices that fit without spacers and stuff and there are a lot of tire choices. If you want stock height and more width the 225/50-17 works well. I push for the 225/55-1 7 on 2WD and 235/55-17 on Syncros. Toyo has a line of tires called the Celsius and Celsius CUV. These are all-weather tires that supposedly are good for 60K. These are so nice and well received I'm stocking the 225/55-17 and Ultra-Wheels. 17 X 8 with 32mm offset. > > Dennis > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Jack R [mailto:jack007@comcast.net] > Sent: Friday, September 15, 2017 7:01 PM > To: 'Dennis Haynes' <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> > Subject: RE: fitting 205/70R14 on 14 X 5.5 wheels? > > Dennis, > > These are the only tires with XL, in the 215/60/16 size. A better price, a bit more load too. I'm just a fan of Conti. > https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Sumitomo&tireModel=HTR+A%2FS+P02+%28H-+or+V-Speed+Rated%29&partnum=16VR6HTRASP02XL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes#RatingsReviews > > Also, when you measure the height of the 205/70/14 it is nearly equal with the 215/55/16. So, that tire too is actually short for the Vanagon too. > > I'm not seeing an XL in the 225/60/16 either (except ice/snow) & I do not drive my Westy in snow/salt (Michigan is bad). > > It isn't too late, if you feel the Sumitomo tires would suit me better than the Conti... I can go down that road (pun intended). > > I sure appreciate your advise!!! I want the "best" optional tires for the 16" rims. > > Thank you Dennis! > > Jack > > -----Original Message----- > From: Dennis Haynes [mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com] > Sent: Friday, September 15, 2017 1:31 AM > To: Jack R; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: RE: fitting 205/70R14 on 14 X 5.5 wheels? > > That tire is an XL rated or reinforced tire. It is a tad small for the Vanagon at 25.2 inches diameter, Stock is 25.6. This will make the over ambitious speedometer/odometer over read true speed a tad more. A 215/60-16 would have been a better choice or 225/55-16. I often install 225/60-16 on 2WD. With all the extras you had to get there are new wheel choices that would be a direct fit. Overall that set up should work well for you. > > Dennis > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Jack R > Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2017 7:36 PM > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: Re: fitting 205/70R14 on 14 X 5.5 wheels? > > Not an XL load tire in this size, but close. > I ended up going with the 16" Benz rims, with a 31 Off-set. Added a 6mm spacer on the rear, and extended the rear studs. (big PITA). > There is a number of 16" - I'm going with the Conti 215/55/R16 (Load Range: XL, Max load 1,609 @ 51psi, 700 AA @ $432.88 for the set. Got my rims (16X7" 31off-set) on Ebay for $400 Spacers, lug bolts and lug nuts from T3. (a much greater investment, but should help stability significantly due to the reduced side-wall and XL rating). > https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=PureContact+with+EcoPlus+Technology&partnum=155HR6PURECXL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes > > > > There are not many choices in the 205/70R14 Tire size. Tire Rack has the Kumho Solus KR21 with a Max Load of 1,521 @ 44PSI. Rim Width Range 5-7". > https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Solus+KR21&partnum=07TR4KR21V2 > > This tire is a good deal, however the tire walls are not reinforced, so you can expect some sway with cross winds. I've ran Kumho's on a BMW 525i, and noted the soft sidewalls. > Set of 4 for $223 plus shipping. My local Costco will mount/balance carry-in tires again, for $15 each. > > The good thing is, for $223 plus Shipping & Mount/balance... you will end up with a solution for just over $300. So, if you don't run it hard or load it too much, it may just fit the bill. > Still, not recommended, but better than driving on bald or bad tires. > > Good luck! > > Jack R. > 1894 Westy Wolfie (same ride height as your 81) > > -----Original Message----- > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Karl Ploessl > Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2017 9:31 PM > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: fitting 205/70R14 on 14 X 5.5 wheels? > > will a tire - 205/70R14 fit on my skinny 14 x 5.5 inch wheel? > > ------------ > Karl > 1981 Westy "Jenny" > 2000 VW Jetta GLS VR6 > Wilmington, DE > > > --- > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > https://www.avast.com/antivirus >

.


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.