TheSamba.com :: View topic - Split Bus 14" tires

Sat Nov 25, 2017 10:14 am

worst case scenario just get 4 and test? if it fits get the 5th, if not, leave it alone.

Tue Nov 28, 2017 9:38 pm

BulliBill wrote: I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a set of at least four Hankook Vantra RA-18 195R14" D rated radials for my '67 Westy.

Okay, my question is should I order a fifth tire for the spare tire position? Can anyone out there who is currently running that particular tire confirm that this tire (mounted and aired up on a stock 14" Bus wheel) fits into the spare tire well of a non-walk-thru Split-Bus without any fit issues, like fitting down into the well or preventing the 2/3 side of the front seat from resting as it should on the bumpers on the bulkhead wall?

I could keep the smaller and older spare tire that is in there now if needed, but if that Hankook Vantra RA-18 195R14" (not the 185 !) fits fine in the well without issues, then I'll spring for a fifth tire when I order. Thanks for any replies from you Vantra RA-18 owners!!Bill Bowman
Hi Bill... this really won't help you but, a few weeks ago I purchased those 195/14's (love them!). Since my prior 185's were in very good condition, I sold four of them but kept one as the spare. I figure it'll get me home if I need to use it, and I won't need to spend additional $ on a tire I'll infrequently, if ever, use.

I bought them through America's Tire. They had to order them. You could see if your tire shop would order you five, and if they'd be okay keeping the fifth if it doesn't fit the spare well (use one of the four mounted ones as a tester). I mention this as I ordered two sets of differing tires to see which I'd like best, and I only bought one set. They didn't seem to mind the dual order... so perhaps they wouldn't mind a fifth, which they could re-stock, etc.

Sun Jan 21, 2018 8:59 pm

Bulli Bill,

Can we see your new tires mounted on your Westy?

Trevor

Sun Jan 21, 2018 9:51 pm

oldbusboy wrote: Bulli Bill,

Can we see your new tires mounted on your Westy?

Trevor

Hi Trevor,

I have the tires in my basement but have not mounted them yet. I'll probably do so in the Spring and at that point I'll be sure to post up photos of them on my '67 Campmobile.

Bill

Mon Jan 22, 2018 11:28 pm

Just happened to see these 7.00x14 Samson mud terrain at the bottom of the page while looking for some 9.00x16 and thought some late model guys might like them

http://www.nebraskatire.com/light-truck

26.8 tall, 12 ply (!!!!), $108 ea. They say they weigh a ton but I'll take that over a sliced sidewalk in the middle of bfe

Mon Jan 22, 2018 11:34 pm

AlteWagen wrote: Just happened to see these 7.00x14 Samson mud terrain at the bottom of the page while looking for some 9.00x16 and thought some late model guys might like them

http://www.nebraskatire.com/light-truck

26.8 tall, 12 ply (!!!!), $108 ea. They say they weigh a ton but I'll take that over a sliced sidewalk in the middle of bfe

Those are all retread tires, right?

Tue Jan 23, 2018 12:16 am

No idea

Tue Jan 23, 2018 8:44 am

Hoy! The new 14" General Grabbers showed up. All the Austin Air Coolers sport these beauties, they are replacing a set of worn Cooper SRMs.
They are 107. each, free shipping, from SimpleTire. Can't wait to mount these Grabowskis.

Mmmmm....New Tire Smell.

Sun May 20, 2018 10:31 am

I'm planning on buying bias ply tires for my '67.

https://www.cokertire.com/700-14-bf-goodrich-1-whitewall-tire.html

It says the ratings are:

Brand: BF Goodrich
GTIN UPC: 00842199104882
Product Size: 700-14
Rim Diameter: 14
Tread Width: 4.40
Section Width (Actual): 7.20
Overall Diameter: 26.80
Max Load Capacity: 1360@32PSI
Recommended Rim Width: 5.00 - 5.50
Tube Type or Tubeless: Tubeless

There is no specific mention of LT.. or ply rating.

Should a assume these will work?

Trevor

Sun May 20, 2018 11:09 am

oldbusboy wrote: I'm planning on buying bias ply tires for my '67.

https://www.cokertire.com/700-14-bf-goodrich-1-whitewall-tire.html

It says the ratings are:

Brand: BF Goodrich
GTIN UPC: 00842199104882
Product Size: 700-14
Rim Diameter: 14
Tread Width: 4.40
Section Width (Actual): 7.20
Overall Diameter: 26.80
Max Load Capacity: 1360@32PSI
Recommended Rim Width: 5.00 - 5.50
Tube Type or Tubeless: Tubeless

There is no specific mention of LT.. or ply rating.

Should a assume these will work?

Trevor

It depends on how you plan to use your bus. If it is a show car, rarely driven or a trailer queen, they may be OK. If you intend to drive it regularly, go camping, drive long distances in varying weather conditions, etc., then look elsewhere.

Those tires are woefully underrated for everyday use on a VW bus.

Sun May 20, 2018 11:19 am

OK.. thanks.

That is too bad, I figured Coker would have the correct tires.

Really would like to get the correct bias-ply tires.

If anybody has leads, please let me know.

Trevor

Sun May 20, 2018 2:12 pm

oldbusboy wrote: OK.. thanks.

That is too bad, I figured Coker would have the correct tires.

Really would like to get the correct bias-ply tires.

If anybody has leads, please let me know.

Trevor

If you plan to drive your camper regularly, get some good quality radial tires. They really are just better to drive. Bias ply tires look the part, but are not nearly as nice for everyday use. And you likely will not find a stock size 14" bias ply that is rated properly for your bus.

Sun May 20, 2018 4:43 pm

Yes, usually to get tires with a correct "truck" load rating from Coker you have to get larger tires.
I've never looked at that for 14s but I think in the 15s you have to get 6.70s instead of 6.40s.

Sun May 20, 2018 5:06 pm

I got a set of these hankook RA18 185R14 tires for a bay last year, and they feel great. I got some more of them off ebay recently, and they are a fairly good price at $296 for 4 delivered.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/142632188628

Sun May 20, 2018 6:47 pm

Lind wrote: I got a set of these hankook RA18 185R14 tires for a bay last year, and they feel great. I got some more of them off ebay recently, and they are a fairly good price at $296 for 4 delivered.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/142632188628

The Hankooks have become the go-to tire for baywindow buses over the last several years. Hard to go wrong with their quality, load rating, and price.

Fri Feb 04, 2022 2:02 pm

O.k. guys...so I need to get cheap tires just to push my '65 Bus in and out of my garage, as it's non-operational. So would the middle 'aspect ratio' number of the tire size matter all that much? (I.e. 185/65/14 or 195/70/14) Would either size work fine for my purpose, until it is time for the Bus to be in drivable condition? Thank you everyone for your help. -Jim. :roll:

Fri Feb 04, 2022 3:51 pm

Jim H. wrote: O.k. guys...so I need to get cheap tires just to push my '65 Bus in and out of my garage, as it's non-operational. So would the middle 'aspect ratio' number of the tire size matter all that much? (I.e. 185/65/14 or 195/70/14) Would either size work fine for my purpose, until it is time for the Bus to be in drivable condition? Thank you everyone for your help. -Jim. :roll:

If they are just to be used as rollers, the only thing that matters is that they hold air. Just about any 14" tire will fit the wheel for that purpose. Do not be concerned with the aspect ratio, or even if you have four tires the same size. Get some junk from behind the tire store, or at the scrap yard.

Sun Feb 06, 2022 8:19 pm

you can get trailer rated 14" for about $50 each to the door. Take the wheels off the vehicle and deliver the whole mess to the tire store ( "they are for my trailer") so you don't have to listen to a line of shit. As rollers and low speed excursions I doubt there is any real risk. There are no 14"'s to be had at most local tire stores.

Sun Feb 06, 2022 9:01 pm

while not $50ea these are in answer to the OP intention of this thread?

some 175r14?
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trk...p;_sacat=0

Quote: Tire Size Conversion Chart
1949 to 1964 -------- 1965 to 1970------------ 1960 to Present
--------------NUMERIC-------------------------- EURO-METRIC
6.50-14----------- 6.95-14---------------- 175R14
7.00-14----------- 7.35-14---------------- 185R14
7.50-14----------- 7.75-14---------------- 195R14

Wed Jun 15, 2022 6:40 pm

My '65 needs tires not because they are worn but because the dates are getting way old.

I went to several tire places and they laughed me out saying that old size doesn't exist and tried to sell me a poochy-er smaller tire.

I came home, went online and found these Yokohama made in Japan 185 R 14 C tires Y-356 tires do exist and Discount Tire sells them. So I figured the spare tire would be a good place to start.

Got one tire through Discount Tire even though they said they didn't exist.

It fits exactly in the spare tire well.

My tow rope and tow web still fit in their places. My subwoofer lays perfect too.

The seat flopped down has perfect clearance and the binoculars still sit fine.