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Mon Aug 24, 2009 6:35 pm

Turns out my 85 Westy needs new tires. Sadly the current ones are passenger car tires and they have dry rot. I've done my research and decided to stick with the stock rims. I'm looking for advice on a decent pair of all season tires. I'd like to spend less than $100 each if possible. I see a lot of people on the forum get snow tires. They seems to be running them all year. Is that just because they work better off road and true off road tires are hard to find? I'd like to get a set of grabbers but it seems they don't make them in 14s.

Mon Aug 24, 2009 6:41 pm

You get what you pay for. $100 bucks doesnt buy much quality.

Mon Aug 24, 2009 6:43 pm

Might wanna reconsider cheaping out on tires.

Mon Aug 24, 2009 6:44 pm

http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=RA08

Mon Aug 24, 2009 6:55 pm

I didn't think $100 was cheap. My grabbers were $85 each and they are fantastic.

Mon Aug 24, 2009 6:58 pm

Been here?

http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/reifenbestellen.pl?typ=D38361&dsco=35

Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:06 pm

I second the RA08 Hankook. excellent tire, except in snow, but as long as you know how to drive in snow they're OK.

Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:07 pm

I hadn't been to that site. I was looking more for advice from other owners who would recommend the tires they are running. What are some of the more popular tires for the Westy here on the forum? How much do I need to spend to get decent tires?

Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:25 pm

Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:45 pm

RA08's are good 3 season tires. If you drive much in snow, don't get them. IMHO, they suck in snow.

My all time favorite tires are the Nokian Hakka CS's. When I put these on, my 2wd Westy felt almost like a Syncro in the snow. LOVE 'EM! They aren't cheap though and tires are worth the investment.

Mon Aug 24, 2009 9:13 pm

Bruce Wayne wrote:

Hi,

How much were those coopers and what size are they?

Tue Aug 25, 2009 4:49 am

Rhinoculips wrote: My all time favorite tires are the Nokian Hakka CS's. When I put these on, my 2wd Westy felt almost like a Syncro in the snow. LOVE 'EM! They aren't cheap though and tires are worth the investment.

I just bought a set of Nokian 195R14 CS's at VanCafe for $120 each. I think they are out, now, but will get more in a month, +/-. I like them, too. They are a bit oversize...26.2" diameter vs stock 25.?". They change the gearing slightly.

Tue Aug 25, 2009 4:50 am

Why do you want snow tires in flagstaff?
Snow tires wear faster then regular tires.

Tue Aug 25, 2009 5:49 am

mightyart wrote: Why do you want snow tires in flagstaff?
Snow tires wear faster then regular tires.

Flagstaff gets some serious snow. Snowbowl is a pretty good place to ski also.

Tue Aug 25, 2009 6:30 am

mightyart wrote: Why do you want snow tires in flagstaff?
Snow tires wear faster then regular tires.

Depending on which report your read Flagstaff is either the 1st or 3rd snowiest city in America.

Tue Aug 25, 2009 6:30 am

I'm not really looking for snow tires but that's all i can seem to find. The only other ones I can find which are the R808s everyone says they are crap in the snow. I'm just after a good 4 season radial.

Tue Aug 25, 2009 7:21 am

orangeeyesore wrote: You get what you pay for. $100 bucks doesnt buy much quality.

What's you recommendations for over 100$? I haven't been able to find much. Most of the tires I've seen at van cafe are on backorder.

Tue Aug 25, 2009 7:25 am

Randy in Maine wrote: mightyart wrote: Why do you want snow tires in flagstaff?
Snow tires wear faster then regular tires.

Flagstaff gets some serious snow. Snowbowl is a pretty good place to ski also.

Shows you how much I ski. :lol:

Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:24 am

domromer wrote:

How much were those coopers and what size are they?

I paid $522,mounted and balanced,lifetime rotations,flat repair,etc.,etc.,etc. at Les Schwab. 195/75/14C the load index is 93,which is good for 1433 lbs per tire, or a total of 5732 lbs. I read somewhere that Westys should have tires that are load rated at 97 minimum.

I do not have a full on Westy (no stove,fridge and cabinets) so I don't have the weight you do. you may want to get D range tires.

Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:34 am

O love my Hankook RA08's. They're designed for the Vanagon, too. I got mine at Discount tire. Five tires delivered, mounted and balanced for less than 600 bucks. Combine the Hankooks with a set of Bilstein HD shocks and you've hot a surprisingly nice ride.