Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2021 16:00:02 -0800
Reply-To: Bruce Todd <beeceetee@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bruce Todd <beeceetee@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Search for tires
In-Reply-To: <CY4PR0801MB3731E682B3ECD58A943AE168A08A9@CY4PR0801MB3731.namprd08.prod.outlook.com>
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Thanks Dennis - Yes I've been looking at those wheels for awhile - ever
since you introduced them a few years back. The trick is to get them sent
north of the border with delivery, exchange rate and taxes so that it is
not totally unaffordable.
Bruce
On Sat, Feb 13, 2021 at 3:39 PM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:
> Since you have a Syncro consider this 17 inch wheel.
>
> https://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Wheel-Alpine-Silver-5x112mm/dp/B005GVU5I0/ref=sr_1_16?dchild=1&keywords=17+inch+ultra+wheel+402S+5X112&qid=1613259101&sr=8-16
>
> The 32mm offset comps for the 8 inch width and works superbly with a
> 235/55-17Xl tire. The Toyo Celsius "CUV" is an ideal all purpose tire
> competing with the Nokians at a better price and Toyo makes them here in
> the USA. Be sure not to get the PCR (passenger Car Version). Slightly less
> tread and they wear faster.
>
> This wheel has a load rating of 1,850 pounds. It should also work on 85
> and earlier vans as long as you don’t use clip on wheel weights. To use on
> 2WD vans you will need 3 to 5 mm spacers up front. Rear is good even with
> GoWesty HD drums or disc brake kit. For anyone near me on Long Island I
> also have a set of these in stock.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of Bruce
> Todd
> Sent: Saturday, February 13, 2021 1:56 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Search for tires
>
> Ok - why not chime in as well given it is a Saturday and there is a whole
> weekend of tire threads to wear through yet and it is currently snowing!
> Well my Syncro is sound asleep under her winter cover - she is sporting
> Nokian WR 3s 205/70/15 - a tire I recommend for snow, moderate off road and
> lots of highway road travel - a very quiet ride and worthy tire. However I
> don't think they manufacture these anymore. I no longer drive the Westy
> during the winter (my third winter) due to the road brine and salting and I
> want to keep whatever good metal I have left and slow down the current
> spread of corrosion.
>
> Funny though - as I've been tempted to put her back on the road as my
> other car was T-boned last week thanks to a Honda sedan running a stop sign
> and taking out my Mazda 6 wagon. Without a car - other than my wife's /
> family Enclave - I've been on foot a lot more and the Syncro is just
> sitting there wagging her tail like a dog eager for a walk. BTW - the
> Mazda was a tank and took the impact very well even though I spun 180
> degrees pointing in the opposite direction than I was going.
>
> I will likely be moving on to a 16"or 17" wheel and tire combo as I would
> like to install the big brake set up from G-Westy and from what I have read
> the 15's are too small in diameter to make the fit work. I had a heated
> and scary brake fade descent this past summer coming down a long switch
> back which pretty much sealed my thoughts on the bigger brakes. When I do
> re-tire - I think I will go back to a little more aggressive tire -
> something that threads the needle between fairly rugged off road and yet
> still maintain a smooth and relatively quiet highway driving experience.
>
> Bruce
>
>
>
> On Sat, Feb 13, 2021 at 9:15 AM Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>
> > Yup the rotivas look good.
> >
> > One issue with nokian tires up here in Canada is that there is only
> > one distributor. A monopoly. Prices reflect that.
> >
> > I still think there will be a greater choice of suitable van tires
> > with the recent surge in smaller commercial van types being sold here in
> Canada .
> >
> >
> > > On Feb 13, 2021, at 6:40 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > A tires load rating is only slightly determined by how "stout" the
> > construction is. The main limitation is the generation of heat and how
> > much flex can the tire take. The ratings are based on standards which
> > is why the ratings are consistent across brands for given tire types.
> > So yes to get more capacity a given design becomes a larger tire.
> > Increased diameter means decreased revolutions per mile so it can
> > carry more weight at a given speed, inflation pressure, increased
> > width means larger footprint reducing tread loading. Air volume and
> pressure can also be a factor.
> > >
> > > As a group we seem to get hung up on the need for commercial or
> > > truck
> > type tires. With 16 inch wheels there are a number of choices in
> > reasonable sizes with the XL ratings that for extended high speed
> > travel are actually much better choices. For Syncros I like
> > 215/65-16XL. The Nokian Rotiiva is a current favorite for AT/Winter
> > use. For 2WD 225/60-16XL is my usual choice.
> > >
> > > Dennis
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of
> > Alistair Bell
> > > Sent: Friday, February 12, 2021 10:20 PM
> > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > > Subject: Re: Search for tires
> > >
> > > Hey Kim,
> > >
> > > I’m picking up what you’re laying down :-)
> > >
> > > I’ve been hoping, the last few years as more transits , ducatos, etc
> > > are
> > sold up here in Canada , that we get a wider choice of tires.
> > >
> > > The geolander, bfg, general, etc seem to me to have the same carcass
> > construction and only gain load rating with larger tires.
> > >
> > > Unlike the Hakka and some Michelin and Conti which do have the
> > commercial van construction that’s so common in Europe.
> > >
> > > I’m hoping with more of the above mentioned vans being sold in North
> > America we might get the tire choice you have already in Europe.
> > >
> > > So far it’s been mostly commercial van summer, all season and, snow.
> > Maybe , maybe, we will get a good load rating all terrain for the
> vanagon.
> > >
> > > 16” anyway.
> > >
> > > Alistair
> > >
> > >> On Feb 12, 2021, at 10:30 AM, KIM BRENNAN <kimbrennan@mac.com> wrote:
> > >>
> > >> So, the other day, instead of searching tire sites for vanagon
> > >> tires…I
> > searched for cargo van tires. Lots more choices than I expected. And
> > most are load 100 rated (or better). Just something for folk to
> > consider when looking for tires the next time. I still can’t get my
> > preferred brand/tire in the USA (Vredestein Winter Comtrac 2), unless
> > I go via eBay from Italy and pay through the nose, but Nokian has a
> > similar winter tire that is available. Not the 225/70R15 size, but the
> 215/75R15, which is acceptable.
> > My current Vredesteins are still good for this winter, and probably
> > through next summer…but for next winter I’ll have to be prepared.
> >
>
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