Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2021 16:02:10 -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: <82316BBA-0584-458E-8461-8B40DDFA4AF4@mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
I'm running the stock 15" Mefro Steelies - which I think will not cut the
mustard.
BT
On Sat, Feb 13, 2021 at 11:14 AM KIM BRENNAN <kimbrennan@mac.com> wrote:
> From what I remember of the GoWesty brakes….SOME 15” wheels work, but not
> all (hence the recommendation to go with 16” wheels. I believe I’ve got one
> set of 15” wheels that work, and a different style of 15” wheels that
> doesn’t (but I don’t remember which is which right now). 2 of my Syncros
> have Rheins.
>
> > On Feb 13, 2021, at 1:56 PM, Bruce Todd <beeceetee@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> >
> > 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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