Vanagon EuroVan
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Date:         Thu, 2 Nov 2017 19:38:54 -0400
Reply-To:     Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: The Tire Replacement Manual
Comments: To: David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CACvdLxOxBuX7ZMYbcBZLxqqL9eBKaJWMNHXzkLwX8BSm8m-e0Q@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Hi David and others,

OK so I’m a geek and I actually read the tire info with interest.

But, expert I’m not.

I’ve decided to hold my 14 inch tires a little longer as they have a few years of age and a few years of deep tread on them. I also love the fact that they are the same wheels and I use the same hubcaps from my Bay window bus days. Still I’ll eventually change to a bigger wheel and narrower side wall tire.

From what I’ve red the ground clearance won’t change as the over all diameter will be the same as long as I select the correct wheels and tires.

As for sidewall strength It sounds like there are good options for my dirt road needs though I won’t take my van on a logging road type trail. I do go confidently off the road into fields and rustic camp grounds and from what I’ve read people are having no more blow outs with the more narrow sidewall tires. Stories I’ve read hear included tire issues on our stock 14 just as often as the newer set ups.

I like the idea of better handling on curves, or in traffic or wind. A little increase in safety is always welcome.

And with bigger wheels I may have to look at the bigger breaks as though I don’t mind traveling slow I do mind stopping too slow.

But, I’m really going to miss the bay window connection when I give up those wheels and tires.

Eric Caron 85 GL Auto westfalia

> On Nov 2, 2017, at 5:01 PM, David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM> wrote: > > Hmmm..... . Well, some of us do drive our campers the way they perform > best, and that is not at the high speeds most folks seem to have adopted. > My high speed for my camper is just over 60 mph on the highway. I take it > onto back country roads, forest service and BLM roads that fit the point > made in the manual that lower profile tires are much more subject to damage > from road hazards than are higher profile tires. It is in fact the ability > to navigate such roads and to camp in isolation from those who prefer > developed camp grounds that make the vehicle useful to me. > > I realize that the beast has limitations that "modern" drivers dislike. It > has capabilities that I prefer, including high clearance and capability on > rough roads. This summer I drove on a Forest Service road that required 3 > hours to traverse 11 miles. My camper is not a Synchro. I just drove very > slowly and carefully, easing around washouts and boulders that would simply > stop most folks who would rather have a "higher performing" vehicle, with > less tire sidewall. I don't have my camper in order to go fast or to take > corners at breakneck speeds. > > On Thu, Nov 2, 2017 at 11:55 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> > wrote: > >> The load index table should also be available form the tire manufacturer. >> Your dealer should be able to supply this for you. As for that tire not >> being listed due to obsolescence keep in mind this document is already 11 >> years old. >> For replacement the 195/75-14 is the correct diameter to replace a >> 185/80-14. As for changing OEM specifications consider the OEM lead in this >> case. Beginning with the 87 model year the 205/70-14XL was the OEM supplied >> upgrade. Then there was the move to 15 inch wheels to make room for brakes >> and other needs on the Eurovan. The last of the Eurovans were fitted with >> 225/60-XL. See a correlation to my recommendations? >> >> Tire technology has changed and so has our driving speeds. When our vans >> were designed-built we had a 55 mph speed limit. Few of us travel at 55 or >> less. We didn't always back then! Getting into the newer tire sizes also >> gets us some of these newer capabilities. Skinny tires running at high >> inflation pressures leave you with reduced contact patches and an impact >> sensitive ride. Think of those non pneumatic tires on your first bicycle or >> trike. The Vanagon ahs the benefit of a well designed independent >> suspension with tires being the major limiting factor. There is room for >> improvement here, but it has to be done correctly. >> >> Dennis >> >> ------------------------------ >> *From:* David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com> >> *Sent:* Thursday, November 2, 2017 12:44 AM >> *To:* Dennis Haynes >> *Cc:* vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM >> *Subject:* Re: The Tire Replacement Manual >> >> Dennis, thanks for providing this. It clarifies a lot. However, I notice >> that the OE tire sizes for our campers are not included in the tables. I >> suppose, like has been observed many times on this list, that the tire size >> being considered by most manufacturers as "obsolete" is the reason. But >> our vehicles are real, and we drive them. Are you aware of a source that >> provides similar data for our OE tire sizes? The nearest size in the >> attached document is LT185/75R14, but of course, the aspect ratio is too >> low, and the tire diameter would be too small. The OE tire size of >> LT185R14 has an aspect ratio of approximately 82 as I understand it. The >> alternate size of LT195R14 of course has the same aspect ratio, and is only >> very slightly larger in diameter. >> >> The document does reinforce my notion that one should just stick with OE >> specifications up until that becomes literally impossible. For now, there >> are still tires available that fit that bill, though not very many choices. >> >> On Mon, Oct 30, 2017 at 6:18 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> >> wrote: >> >> For all the recent questions I once again would like to point out this >> reference guide. >> >> http://www.tiresafety.com/images/Tire%20Replacement%20Manual.pdf >> <https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiresafety.com%2Fimages%2FTire%2520Replacement%2520Manual.pdf&data=02%7C01%7Cd23haynes57%40hotmail.com%7C148a77a8539b450c346408d521ac83c7%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636451947182908333&sdata=om%2Fd4%2BnRWAYAbh%2FoV2yXRBvYWgOeLhIrsgrTNkin7aI%3D&reserved=0> >> >> While is now 11 years old, this is probably the best tire reference manual >> with the most important information in one place, in a format that is easy >> to understand. >> Of most benefit is the load-inflation tables for most every size tire we >> would consider. There is some good reading in here. I will be referenicing >> this manual occasionally in some of my responses to posted questions. >> >> Dennis >> >> >>


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