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Mon Jul 21, 2008 5:37 am

I just spoke with a local Tires Plus in the Atlanta area and they informed me that Hankook has discontinued production on the 185R14 :cry:

Has anyone else run into any problems trying to get those tires. The sales rep suggested Pirelli 4 season tires 185/70/R14 88T. He told me that the max load is about 1690 lbs.

I'm about to peruse the 38 pages of this thread to see if anyone else has used Pirelli tires, but if someone has used them (and is bored at work) please chime in. Thanks.

Quick edit

After some research a tire with a load index of 88 has a max load capacity of 1235 lbs. I would need an index of at least 95 or 96 to hit the 1540 lbs mark. This is incredibly frustrating. It seems as though the Hankook tires were the only 14" tire out there that met this requirement.

Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:13 am

I would seek a second opinion.

Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:39 am

To save you 38 pages, get 'em here.

http://www.onlinetires.com/default.aspx?PageData=tireResults

Cheapest price and reasonable shipping. Get them mounted locally, but NOT at the place that tried to sell you the wrong tires. Don't reward stupid people with your money.

While you're at it, buy five so you have a known good and correct spare.

Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:36 am

and after you get them, take them into that place and have them mount and balance them to allow the dealer to get the full effect of what it feels like to be an idiot.

185R14 or 195R14 would work for you.

That link above is a good price!

Mon Jul 21, 2008 12:23 pm

i was just wondering if anyone knows what kind of off roading tires i should get for my 68 high top?

Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:52 pm

Assuming that you really mean "off pavement" tires, the Hankooks will be fine.

If you truly intend to drive off developed (but unpaved) roads, then I wish you only ill-will.

There are plenty of old dirt and gravel roads out there. Please use those.

Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:34 pm

Hannkooks suck on wet grass, I know from experience that they would suck on an old fire trail when slick clay is encountered. There are light truck tires that are suitable for buses going off road. You will find them mentioned in this thread several times.

Wed Jul 23, 2008 6:51 am

I just got 5 Yokohama Super Van 356 185R14 8PR LT tires that have a max load capacity of 1850 lbs :D :D I finally feel safe on the road. The difference in handling and ride compared to the passenger tires the PO had on the Bus is amazing. Nice smooth ride and it is much easier to steer.

Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:19 am

panic311 wrote: The difference in handling and ride compared to the passenger tires the PO had on the Bus is amazing. Nice smooth ride and it is much easier to steer.

Amazing, isn't it? I had the exact same experience when I finally put bus-rated tires on my wife's bus.

Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:30 pm

tires are so expensive if you work minimum wage... :cry:

Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:51 pm

enjoispammy8 wrote: tires are so expensive if you work minimum wage... :cry:

Just buy 1 pair at a time. the Hankooks are comparatively cheap to other brands.

Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:29 am

enjoispammy8 wrote: tires are so expensive if you work minimum wage... :cry:

Spend a lot of timing tracking down a good used set of tires. Used tires places and junkyards.

Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:49 am

If I may say. There are times when used parts are as good (if not better) than new parts. Tires and brakes are not among them. Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:11 pm

dtrumbo wrote: If I may say. There are times when used parts are as good (if not better) than new parts. Tires and brakes are not among them. Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

I agree - but if you have more time than cash you can often come up with good stuff to use.

Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:46 pm

dtrumbo wrote: If I may say. There are times when used parts are as good (if not better) than new parts. Tires and brakes are not among them. Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Well, if the tires are "take-offs" (new stock tires and wheels being exchanged for fancy wheels and low-profile tires) they can be good. I've kept my Scion in tires that way very nicely for about $100 a set, including rims! However, this doesn't work for buses because no new vehicles are being sold in the US with the proper size tires.

Used brake components are another matter. While I might want good used cylinders to rebuild I wouldn't put the parts directly on a vehicle without a good going-through.

Thu Jul 24, 2008 5:46 pm

vdubyah73 wrote: enjoispammy8 wrote: tires are so expensive if you work minimum wage... :cry:

Just buy 1 pair at a time. the Hankooks are comparatively cheap to other brands.

ya im looking into those. right now the back of my bus is sitting lower than the front because the po put some wierd ass tires on it. ugh.

Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:35 am

visit nationaltire.com

Couple cool looking Bias Ply options here

Check out the Akuret Cargo highway 7.00X14
or the Akuret Trakes plus for the off road split guys

These can be ordered through Tires Pus I believe

Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:06 pm

Is there a list anywhere for recommendations for 15" tires for the bus. Im thinking about switching over to a 15' wheel.

Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:09 am

RZAR wrote: Is there a list anywhere for recommendations for 15" tires for the bus. Im thinking about switching over to a 15' wheel.

Scroll down to 15" http://www.roadhaus.com/tires.html

Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:50 am

On a whim I decided to see what the oldest thread in the Bay forum was. I guess it was not surprising that it was about tires. 8)

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29084