Date:         Thu, 21 Nov 2024 15:45:13 -0500
Reply-To:     Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Tire Side wall info request
Comments: To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <SJ2P222MB0972BDA34A5DB324ACA9032FA0222@SJ2P222MB0972.NAMP222.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Hi Dennis, 

Is the 4.09 final drive ratio the stock size? 

Great info. 

The tire date indicates I”m ggetting to the end of recommended tire life.  So, this discussion is going to be helpful sooner then later. 

These have been great tires. 

Eric 

> On Nov 21, 2024, at 7:53 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Eric
> The production date of your tires is 2017. That tire is no longer available in that size.
> They are 225/55-17XL. These are extra load rated, reinforced sidewall long life, whatever you want for a Vanagon tire.
> It is about a 26.7 inch tire, 754 revolutions per mile, load rating 101, 1,819 pounds @ 42 psi, max inflation 50 psi.

> With the 4.09 final drive ratio this tire is already dropping engine RPM ~180 @ 60 mph.
> Note this is already a 5.5% upsize from the original 205/70-14XL offered from VW beginning in 1987. A key dimension is the height from the rim to the tread. For the stock tire this dimension was 5.6 inches.
> When the tire fails the suspension drop has to take most of this up. The 225/55-17 this dimension is down to 4.9 inches. This is a primary reason I prefer the 17 inch wheels as this reduces the chance of losing control or inducing a rollover when a front tire failure occurs. Increasing diameter changes this. The 225/17-17XL was also used on the Eurovans. Another advantage is that you can get a matching diameter spare underneath.
> 
> The 225/70-17 has enough capacity just due to its size. However it is available in XL versions, load index 103. More overkill at 1,1929 pounds per tire. Probably still desirable for the stiffer sidewalls.
> This will be a 27.7 inch tire, 730 revs per mile. Drop engine RPM another ~100. There may be some minor rub issues up front.
> 
> Here is a link for tire size comparisons that is easy to use.
> 
> https://tiresize.com/comparison/
> 
> Dennis
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of Eric Caron
> Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2024 4:42 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Tire Side wall info request
> 
> This is a very helpful resource especially with regard to Load capacity.  It filled in a lot of gaps.
> 
> I still need to look at some the links Jim Arnott sent me but I’m getting a good handle on this now.
> 
> Now for some real world info on the larger wheel and tire sizes.
> 
> Luckily I have time to figure this out!
> 
> If I had to select a tire right now I’d be looking for a
> 225/60 r17  99 load capacity.  And I’d like a 51 or higher max pressure capacity  this would be a LT tire and likely about a D .
> 
> If I could do the 225/65 R 17 I’d prefer that
> 
> Now to go find out just how old my tires are.  Just need some eyes to read the tire.
> 
> I should have a couple years to figure it out, but if the right tires come my way who knows!
> 
> Eric Caron
> 
> 
> 
>> On Nov 20, 2024, at 1:06 AM, Karl Mullendore <tdiguru@WESTYVENTURES.COM> wrote:
>> 
>> A couple older links but still great info:
>> 
>> http://roadhaus.com/tires/guideline.html
>> 
>> http://www.roadhaus.com/tires.html