TheSamba.com :: View topic - Large tire/big meats

Sun Aug 27, 2023 1:22 am

mandraks wrote: challomoner wrote: Lot of work before these hit the road but needed tires to push it around while working on it

i found mounting my mirrors the other way is much better ;)
tires look meaty

😂 Thanks for reminding me I need to get a set of correct style mirrors.

Fri Dec 08, 2023 7:47 pm

Just wanted to give a review of my new tire purchase. I had a set of 195/75R-14 Hankook tires with only 5000 miles of use but after driving the 1965 bus across the country back in June I knew there had to be something better. The something better turned out to be a set of 8 ply rated Hankook Vantra 195R-C 14 tires. What an amazing difference they made. They are very quiet on the road and handle so much better. Before adding these tires, I had a hard time with any cross winds. I don't know how well they would do with off road driving but that isn't something I do anyway. They were under $150 each and I balanced them with ceramic beads. Very smooth ride.

Sat Dec 09, 2023 8:42 am

steven wardlaw wrote: Just wanted to give a review of my new tire purchase. I had a set of 195/75R-14 Hankook tires with only 5000 miles of use but after driving the 1965 bus across the country back in June I knew there had to be something better. The something better turned out to be a set of 8 ply rated Hankook Vantra 195R-C 14 tires. What an amazing difference they made. They are very quiet on the road and handle so much better. Before adding these tires, I had a hard time with any cross winds. I don't know how well they would do with off road driving but that isn't something I do anyway. They were under $150 each and I balanced them with ceramic beads. Very smooth ride.

What were the Hankook tires you had before? Vanco's?

Sun Dec 10, 2023 12:20 pm

Hankook Optimo H724 195/75R 14

Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:05 am

Looking everywhere I don't see mention of various compared Ground Clearance measurements for those running otherwise stock suspensions. That said, let's see some comparisons...... Let's all measure from the bottom of the steering center pin.And certainly also note if you have any significantly lower (middle-chassis) parts much lower than others. Please specify: year, model, wheels, tire size, coil-overs, but first let's compare stockers.

Here's mine: '66 Westy ,15" early steel wheels, Grabber AT2-205/70/15 = 10.5 in(267mm)

Mon Mar 04, 2024 9:56 am

Really, I would climb under and measure myself, but I can't get to your Bus! Where are you big-tired, pre-'67 bus owners? Stock clearance is shown to be 9.5 ", so this is about how much can be gained with only wheels and tires being larger.

Mon Mar 04, 2024 11:44 am

About 12"

Mon Mar 04, 2024 4:21 pm

I’m a hair over 11” at the center pin and 13” at both front and back jack points. I’m running 27x8.5R14LT Starfire tires.

Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:16 am

I can get 11" clearance with more air pressure, hehe. Just curious here, there seems to be a lot of people choosing big meats(a long thread here!)--- but I have to presume it's just for traction or the look, because there doesn't seem to be much concern for gaining actual ground clearance.

Tue Mar 05, 2024 7:06 pm

2type2 wrote: I can get 11" clearance with more air pressure, hehe. Just curious here, there seems to be a lot of people choosing big meats(a long thread here!)--- but I have to presume it's just for traction or the look, because there doesn't seem to be much concern for gaining actual ground clearance.

I did it for the increased load rating and stiffer side wall compared to a passenger tire. These Starfires light truck tires are rated to 1520 lbs per tire compared to a passenger tire that’s rated to around 1380 lbs per tire.

Tue Mar 05, 2024 7:08 pm

burnite2 wrote: 2type2 wrote: I can get 11" clearance with more air pressure, hehe. Just curious here, there seems to be a lot of people choosing big meats(a long thread here!)--- but I have to presume it's just for traction or the look, because there doesn't seem to be much concern for gaining actual ground clearance.

I did it for the increased load rating and stiffer side wall compared to a passenger tire. These Starfires light truck tires are rated to 1520 lbs per tire compared to a passenger tire that’s rated to around 1380 lbs per tire.

They are great tires. I have them on my 68 single cab, and my full size Chevy.

Wed Mar 06, 2024 9:36 am

Just under 13 inches with bf goodrich ko2s quite underinflated, I'd imagine over 13 inches fully aired up.

Tue Apr 02, 2024 11:24 am

I have been reviewing this thread and looking tires. I did see on page 92 High Octage has 225/75/15.

Has anyone tried

225/70/15 on stock 15" bus wheels. Its a little shorter than the 215/75/15 but a little bit wider. I think height would work but might be two wide.

I've been going back and forth between

205/75/15 Page 92 PDX db bus looks great with this size.
and 215/75/15 seems to be the most popular size.

Mon Apr 22, 2024 6:34 am

I ended up going with Kumho 205/75/15. I think the 225/70/15 would fill it out a little better. I think the tires have the right look.

Mon Apr 22, 2024 2:34 pm

1966 VW bus - Sundial camper: I currently have passenger tires, as opposed to light truck tires, in a 26" diameter on stock 14" bus wheels.

My question is about the newly released Autobahn bias-look radial tires in bus size. Their literature says they are 27" in diameter and a pretty high load rating. Anybody using those tires who would be willing to comment on the relative stability of them would be appreciated.

I am thinking that if they are primarily taller as opposed to wider, they may fit the stock suspension on the camper on Flat4 BRMs. In other words, if they are narrower than previously available tires of the same 27" diameter, would that be enough for them to fit with those rims?

Thanks, Chuey

Mon Apr 22, 2024 2:46 pm

Chuey wrote: My question is about the newly released Autobahn bias-look radial tires in bus size. Their literature says they are 27" in diameter and a pretty high load rating. Anybody using those tires who would be willing to comment on the relative stability of them would be appreciated.

I have them on my bus (1960 Standard) and I can tell you they aren't really stable at freeway speeds. 45 MPH and under they are fine, but at freeway speed any little groove in the road, a big SUV/truck passing you, and the bus wonders all over. I'm not sure how it would be will more weight in the bus, but I wouldn't recommend them if stability is a high priority for you.

Mon Apr 22, 2024 5:13 pm

Thank you for the report.
I would really like to run my BRMs on my bus but I also want at least 27" of diameter for the effective raise in rear end ratio. With most bigger radials, I understand they won't fit with BRMs due to the offset of those wheels.

Chuey

Wed Apr 24, 2024 1:17 pm

BruceFD wrote: Chuey wrote: My question is about the newly released Autobahn bias-look radial tires in bus size. Their literature says they are 27" in diameter and a pretty high load rating. Anybody using those tires who would be willing to comment on the relative stability of them would be appreciated.

I have them on my bus (1960 Standard) and I can tell you they aren't really stable at freeway speeds. 45 MPH and under they are fine, but at freeway speed any little groove in the road, a big SUV/truck passing you, and the bus wonders all over. I'm not sure how it would be will more weight in the bus, but I wouldn't recommend them if stability is a high priority for you.

To offer a counter-opinion on this: I have these tires and drive my bus fairly regularly and mostly on the freeway between 60-70mph. They aren't as firm as an LT-rated tire (obviously), but in combination with a properly aligned and mechanically sound front-end, they ride great. Yes, a little more sway from large vehicles on the freeway compared to an LT tire, but I do not feel like they are "unstable".

They are a skinny tire, which may follow some grooves larger tires won't, but that is the nature of them. I have firmer Bilstein shocks and together they have a nice classic ride - not too soft, but still smooth and predictable. I plan to get them for another bus when the time comes.

Not sure I would ever consider them "Big Meats", but the diameter does fill out the wheel well nicely.

Mon Apr 29, 2024 8:22 am

Just ordered a set of these after making it through the Lin Ottinger Moab Trip on my bald KO2s. Not too shabby for $103 per tire.

Pick them up Thursday. I'll post again when they're mounted up.

Fri May 03, 2024 10:04 am

Update on the Crosswind M/T 215/75r15