Anyone using Yokohama Geolandar a/t s 215 65 16?

shizzon

It seems like these tires fall into the 'debatable' category in terms of load rating.

Here are the specs:

load rating: 98H SL
500AA

98 load rating = 1653 lb
For my 83 westy, GAWR on the rear is 2866 lb (/2=1433 lb per tire)

Using the 9% reduction rule for passenger tires, I get 1504 lb. This value is higher than GAWR, but lower than the 1580 lb number that is claimed to be required here http://www.roadhaus.com/tires/guideline.html

Did I screw something up in the calculation here?

Anyone running these? What are your experiences with longevity, noise, quality, etc?

And yes, I did search for these before posting here...
_________________
1989 Bostig Syncro Westy

speedtek · Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 4:09 pm Post subject:

Geolander ats is a truck tire....you don't need to do the 9% load reduction calculation........They will carry the full 98 rating
No reason why they won't work fine, other than the standard load designation which some will take exception to and others won't

Personally, I would use them without giving it a second thought.

shizzon · Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 7:06 pm Post subject:

OK... that was one point of confusion... they are rated SL, or standard load. Does that not mean they are passenger? or is it the fact that they don't have a P in front of them?

thanks!
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1989 Bostig Syncro Westy

speedtek · Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 8:27 pm Post subject:

No, sl just means they don't have reinforced sidewalls....they are manufactured and sold as a truck tire, not a passenger car tire. (I don't know too many people that would install an all terrain tire on their Golf or Passat Wink

)
A passenger tire is just that, a tire that is primarily marketed as a tire for passenger cars. Any tire found in the truck section of the brochure should meet specs for light truck use.

There's more info to be had here, but I guess in retrospect, it really only muddies the waters more
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=195

By that reading I'd almost suspect that they are rating it in the euro-metric "passenger" zone.....even though the tire is rated to handle 50 psi max pressure which is getting into XL territory....like I said, I would run them and I wouldn't worry about it in the slightest. (I've run lo profile 95 XL tires and had no problems), but it's your van and you have to make the choice you're comfortable with.

shizzon · Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 9:40 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the info... so have you (or anyone else?) run this particular geolander? if so, any thoughts on performance?
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1989 Bostig Syncro Westy

1621 · Samba Member Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174

Steelhead is running that tire in that size. His initial review and photos are what helped persuade me to buy mine - albeit in the 70 series profile.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3316764&highlight=geolander#3316764
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'85 Westy

PDXWesty · Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 10:38 pm Post subject:

A buddy of mine has them on his van. They're excellent tires.

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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

tencentlife · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 6:43 am Post subject:

I'm running them in a 225/70-16, they're a 107H. Very nice tire. But why the huge difference in load rating with such a small size difference, I dunno.
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shizzon · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 7:07 am Post subject:

225/70 16 ? Hmm... Do you have a lift on that? My understanding was that it would be difficult to go above 215/65 16 without running into rubbing issues. Unless you have a lift, that is...
_________________
1989 Bostig Syncro Westy

r39o · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 7:10 am Post subject:

I hate to go OT, but I have to.

You sure your 1.9 powered Westy can pull those 27 inch tires?

It is debated that (and I have to post the thread) that 65 may be too much tire even for and EJ22 powered van.

"Think about it."

(In my case I have opted for 60 series.)
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"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....

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shizzon · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 7:16 am Post subject:

Good point, but I should change my signature line .. ...I'm now the proud owner/installer of a a zetec-powered van!!! I've driven a friends zetec-powered van with 215/60 16, and that was great.

I'm not too worried about 65, but that is also part of the reason why i wrote this post -- to hear from people who have tried it!
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1989 Bostig Syncro Westy

tencentlife · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 7:41 am Post subject:

vwcampin · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 7:49 am Post subject:

I am running Geolanders in 15" and like how they handle and ride on our 86 Syncro Weekender. Very happy with the purchase.
_________________
1986 Vanagon Syncro Westfalia Weekender

shizzon · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 7:53 am Post subject:

Thanks everyone for your replies!

For those who have the geolander (of any size), can you answer the following?

1. How many miles have you put on them?

2. How is the road noise (compared to whatever other tires you have experience with on the van)?

3. Do you feel the "light off-road" performance is significantly enhanced over more highway-oriented tires?

4. Have you noticed a hit in fuel economy relative to other tires?

thanks!
Sean
_________________
1989 Bostig Syncro Westy

tencentlife · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 8:18 am Post subject:

1. Only about 6 or 7 k.

2. As quiet as any highway tire I've used (this was one of the reasons I chose the Yokos, that and the high mileages people reported getting out of them)

3. Can't say, comparing a Syncro to a 2WD in my case.

4. Same as #3 for me. But low noise is related to low rolling resistance, so I wouldn't expect any mileage hit if all else was equal. High inflation pressure relative to passenger tires also reduces rolling resistance.
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Shop for unique and useful Vanagon accessories at the Vanistan shop:
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also available at VanCafe.com!

Please don't PM here, I will not reply.

Experience is death to doctrine.

kevinm · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 9:37 am Post subject:

For people running this model and size (215 65 16), has anyone been able to fit them into the stock spare location, using a modded clamshell or the replacements from van-cafe or Burley?

- Kevin

BushChicken · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 9:38 am Post subject:

Tank83 · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 10:36 am Post subject:

I have Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S in size 215/60R16 on my bus now for two months:

Nice tires, it's a 2wd bus with agg i4 engine conversion and aap gearbox.

The transmission is a bit too long now, with stock tires i have a faster acceleration.
With these tires a 3h or ass gearbox would fit good.

So i need more engine power, because my aap gearbox is a fresh rebuild one with a 100% switchable difflock from a syncro gearbox.

onwardtothestars · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 10:47 am Post subject:

There's also a General Grabber At2 available in 215/65/16 that seems to have better user ratings.
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Beetle, Ghia, Vanagon Syncro, and more

buildyourown · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 11:21 am Post subject:


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Anyone using Yokohama Geolandar a/t s 215 65 16?
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