TheSamba.com :: View topic - Anyone using Hankook RA08 195R14 tires or the 185's?

Wed Jul 25, 2007 5:14 am

Found these in my tire search.
I would like to bring my highway RPM's down a bit and I think the 205's are too much (wide).

I have a '67 with a stock trans and a Berg 2007cc, I'd say about a true 100hp. I do a lot of camping with a trailer and I also haul around a bug on my small float from time to time.

Does anyone have these and your review...
Fit on stock wheels? Do the backs fit the fender?

here's a link to a vendor's page on this:
http://busdepot.com/details/tires.jsp

Thanks

Wed Jul 25, 2007 5:21 am

I just bought a set of the 185R14's, but they're still sitting in my garage waiting to get mounted up and installed...

Wed Jul 25, 2007 6:41 am

I have a stock '67 Westy with 195R14 Hankook tires. The bus rides a lot better than the shit that was on it before and there is no problem taking them off or putting them on.

Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:02 am

I run the 195R14's on my '79 Bay Westy. Wow, very impressed with them. They have over 15,000 miles and show no wear at all. When the Dunlops on my '65 wear out, I'm 100% going with Hankooks.

Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:34 am

I have them on the back of my '70, for exactly the same reason. When I bought the Bus, it had LT195/75R14C's on all four corners. Now with the RA08 195R14's on the back, it seems to drop the RPMs a little at highway speed.

Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:53 am

Cool I'm going to see if I can get them local...no listing on the Hankook.ca site.

Wed Jul 25, 2007 3:12 pm

Mark Henry wrote: Cool I'm going to see if I can get them local...no listing on the Hankook.ca site.

try tire-easy.com as they may have better deal than busdepot.com

Thu Jul 26, 2007 5:00 pm

Mark Henry wrote: Cool I'm going to see if I can get them local...no listing on the Hankook.ca site.

the RA08 is not imported into canada. not in the correct sizes anyhow, larger rim sizes may be available here. i tried to get them in 185R14 for sale on our site - hankook canada said no go.

Thu Jul 26, 2007 5:05 pm

Thanks Scott... I guess I'll have to do the importing.

Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:13 pm

I just had a set of 185R/14's mounted on stock rims my pretty stock '66 D/C last Thursday at my local Discount Tire. They replaced some tired Michelin LTX 195/75-14's. They fit the rim and vehicle perfectly.

Although I've only put about 40mi on them so far, I've noticed that they seem ride just about like the LTX's did but they don't 'slap' when I hit pavement seams, manhole divets and driveway entrances. They also appear to have less road noise at speed (RGB limited to 55mph).

I'm currently running them at 28f / 31r using the Bentley books pressure for a 7.00-14 bias ply for up to 1/2 load.

Just after I ordered my RA08's I found out about Conti's Vanco-8's. They also come in a 185R/14. Anyone have info on them?

R/

Jim

Thu Jul 26, 2007 8:04 pm

Have a similar set on the front of my '94 Ranger...
I would swear they have made a deal with the devil. Had 'em for three years...no signs of wear. Oddest damn thing. They seem to handle pretty well...can't figure 'em. Came on a set of rims I bought...
Damned if I am changing 'em...will probably outlast me.

Sat Jul 28, 2007 10:21 am

I've used these tires before, they're excellent. Good load ratings for heavier buses too (campers, etc).

Sat Jul 28, 2007 11:00 am

Mark Henry wrote: Found these in my tire search.
I would like to bring my highway RPM's down a bit and I think the 205's are too much (wide).

I have a '67 with a stock trans and a Berg 2007cc, I'd say about a true 100hp. I do a lot of camping with a trailer and I also haul around a bug on my small float from time to time.

Does anyone have these and your review...
Fit on stock wheels? Do the backs fit the fender?

here's a link to a vendor's page on this:
http://busdepot.com/details/tires.jsp

Thanks

I have these on my '66 and I love them.
The only thing I don't like is that they are taller than the last tires I had and they rub the tops of the front wheel wells when I hit bumps in the highway.
I am running drop spindles on the front of my bus.
They are great tires.

Fri Oct 17, 2008 8:28 pm

I recently fitted Hankook RA08 185R15C tyres to my '67. Very happy.

Previously it had 185/65R15 tyres on Mangel rims. The offset on those prevented me from using any taller tyres, so I also went back to stock rims. I wanted taller tyres for slightly lower engine speeds. The difference is noticable between the two tyres. I would have gone larger, but the front beam is an adjustable balljoint one and it's up as far as it goes now; the 195R15 tyres really are huge and wouldn't have fit. As it is, I'm happy with the 185R15s. This bus has a 1776 and stock '67 gearing, incl. reduction hubs.

Here's some pictures:

Cheers, A.

Fri Oct 17, 2008 11:36 pm

I'm running a new set of the 195's on my '87 Vanagon Westy and LOVE them! Now I'm debating putting a set of the 195's on my '67 Westy too. This is an awesome Transporter tire!

Bill Bowman

Sat Oct 18, 2008 3:31 am

I have a set of 185r14's and they are great. There is a sticky in the bay forum that covers these tires and more. You should check onlinetires.com they are only 59.00 each.

Sat Oct 18, 2008 8:19 am

Are those Hankooks Chinese?

Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:03 pm

BarryL wrote: Are those Hankooks Chinese?
My understanding is that they're Korean.

Sun Oct 19, 2008 12:37 pm

Yes. Korean tire maker. I have a set of 185/14's on my stock Westy. I've had 'em for a few years. I'm totally happy w/ them. Nice and stiff sidewall that doesn't flex, even when fully loaded for camping and they seem to handle well, even in the PNW rains.

Sun Oct 19, 2008 11:58 pm

I'm running them on my 66 highroof. They are great running tires and have strong side walls. I just wish they were available in a 15 inch rim size for my other older buses. Anyway, buy them, you'll love em.