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Tue Nov 13, 2012 11:53 am

UPDATED 12/24/12.
In my search for tires I found these links.So far only The Continental Vanco 2 tire meets and exceeds the specs for my 81 westy using 16" CLK wheels with 215/65/16 tires.Problem is that is as short as they come in vanco 2's.
215/60/16 is close to stock & I need a tire close to stock since I have an Air cooled 2.0. Too large of a tire will lug your motor and reduce cooling on the highway.As a note too wide of a tire or offset may impede your slider door or rub in the well.
I learned though a tire may be rated for 1600-1700+Lbs it's load range may still be insufficent for a vanagon. Load range C & D tires have 6 plys or more. These Vanco tires are not cheap but have high load ratings and the proper load range. Rated for over 2000lbs! each
Cost about $680 for four shipped www.tirerack.com

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/co...bNr=2.html

http://www.roadhaus.com/tires/guideline.html
plus sizing tire calculator for going from 14" to15 or 16";
See your speedo difference here also. Input 185sr14
http://www.1010tires.com/tiresizecalculator.asp?err=98&rsn=cde-no-cde-gen-by-svr

www.tiresavings.com has theses commonly used on a CLK vanagon.
WRG2 AW- note these are 4 ply extra load (XL) not C or D !
Touring All-Season
The WR G2, Nokian Tyre
215/60-16 load ratting 99H(1709lbs).800 rev per mile) $132 each . or in ;
215/65/16 with 102h load rating!!!! for $139 each.
http://www.nokiantires.com/files/nokiantires/PDF/WRG2_Technicals.pdf
I may opt for the under rated Geolander 215/60/16 because it's the only all terrain tire in that size I could find across all the brands.It's 51 psi and affordable at $535 for all four shipped from www.discounttiredirect.com.I don't want snow tires.

Thu Apr 04, 2013 4:59 am

I just got a used set of Continental 4x4 Contact (102V) in 215-65-16 size. These are $712 a set on TireRack (before shipping or tax.) I paid $150 plus tax for the set, about 70% tread left. My GW 16" wheels should arrive at my mechanic's place in a couple days....I'll post pics when I get them on the van.

Thu Apr 04, 2013 10:58 am

I just picked up a set of Cooper Discoverer AT3's for $464 shipped (instant rebate) in size 215 70 16. I should have them mounted tomorrow. I did a lot of research before buying and the reviews are pretty good. I like how siped they are compared to BFG's or General Grabbers.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-NEW-215-70-16-COOPER-DIS...mp;vxp=mtr

Thu May 23, 2013 8:18 am

insyncro wrote: syncrodoka wrote: Quote: What abut the Michelin Hydro Edge ?
Those are the tires that GoWesty sells with their rim/tire package that the OP wanted to avoid.

Thumbs down on that tire as the OP has already stated.
POS

For perspective and in order to share real world experience with the Go Westy tire/rim package I purchased about 100,000 miles ago, I will say that they have worked very well on my 2wd Vanagon passenger tin top. I now have them mounted on my 2wd Doka while I research tires for the CLK wheels I have.

The Michelin Hydro Edge 215/60-16 tires still have usable tread but the sidewalls look old. They would have needed replacement even if I didn't have new wheels. Still, it seems relevant that they have worked so well for me.

I will say that the taller tire, compared to the stock wheels that came on my Doka, took a bit of the zip from the acceleration department. I don't blame that on the "under-rated" aspect of the tires but strictly on the effective higher drive ratio.

Are there negative reports from other users?

Chuey

Thu May 23, 2013 8:54 am

They likely look worn on the sidewalls because of the geometry and physics of the application. This is why higher load ratings are necessary, even though the static weight is not exceeded. Vanagons are very tall vehicles, as you know. The height of the van places more force onto the tires when cornering due to the leverage that the van's height generates.

Michelins (and all other passenger tires) are rated for static load (unchanging, not non-moving) and only are lightly qffected by cornering forces. While most passenger cars can outcorner a Vanagon, such cars do not have such a tall force-multiplying structure.

It's like a wrench. If you have a short, stubby wrench, you cannot command the force and torque on a stuck bolt that a longer tool can. A standard Vanagon is 6'4" tall (vanagon.com) and a camper is 6'10" tall. In fact, they are taller than they are wide. A Honda Accord, by comparison, is less than 5 feet tall. So there is not nearly as much leverage when the Honda turns.

This is why Vanagons should have higher rated tires than small sedans...not because of the weight, but because of the forces that those tires experience.

By the way, I'm not an engineer, I'm only a genius.

Thu May 23, 2013 11:45 am

Now using Nexen 215/65-16 tires on my 16x7 CLK rims:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=476392

Happy for $73 a tire for XL rated 102T tires.

Fri May 24, 2013 7:58 am

Silence262 wrote: They likely look worn on the sidewalls because of the geometry and physics of the application. This is why higher load ratings are necessary, even though the static weight is not exceeded. Vanagons are very tall vehicles, as you know. The height of the van places more force onto the tires when cornering due to the leverage that the van's height generates.

Michelins (and all other passenger tires) are rated for static load (unchanging, not non-moving) and only are lightly qffected by cornering forces. While most passenger cars can outcorner a Vanagon, such cars do not have such a tall force-multiplying structure.

It's like a wrench. If you have a short, stubby wrench, you cannot command the force and torque on a stuck bolt that a longer tool can. A standard Vanagon is 6'4" tall (vanagon.com) and a camper is 6'10" tall. In fact, they are taller than they are wide. A Honda Accord, by comparison, is less than 5 feet tall. So there is not nearly as much leverage when the Honda turns.

This is why Vanagons should have higher rated tires than small sedans...not because of the weight, but because of the forces that those tires experience.

By the way, I'm not an engineer, I'm only a genius.

Now I'm sorry for saying they look "worn". I should have said "old". The look old because they are old. Any tire as old as they are will look the same. I know because I've had several VWs that just plain don't seem to wear out tires and I have to replace them because the rubber gets old but the tread is in really good condition. I was surprised that a vehicle as heavy as a Vanagon would give me the tire life that it did.

Sorry again, for my poor word choice.

Chuey

Sun Jan 19, 2014 10:32 am

So I'm considering picking up a set of the 215/65/16 Yoko Geolander AT. I'll be using them as an all-purpose tire, highway driving, and exploring mild off-road. Preferably good in the snow and rain too, but I have chains for when it gets severe out.

What's the consensus on the Geolanders, and should I be considering any other tires? Thanks.

Tue Nov 18, 2014 8:57 am

ohlott wrote: If you are looking for a good quiet road tire. Look at the hankook ventus v4 es.
I have a 225/55/16 load rating of 99. Good highway tire.

But Do They Fit a Stock Westy?

Has anyone actually tried them on their own vehicle? Anyone have FIRST hand knowledge?

Tue Nov 18, 2014 11:21 am

vespa93103 wrote: ohlott wrote: If you are looking for a good quiet road tire. Look at the hankook ventus v4 es.
I have a 225/55/16 load rating of 99. Good highway tire.

But Do They Fit a Stock Westy?

Has anyone actually tried them on their own vehicle? Anyone have FIRST hand knowledge?

I don't have first hand knowledge of the Hankooks but I have been running 225/55-16 Continentals on 16 x 7 Mercedes steelies for four years, summer and winter. The tires are almost exactly the same diameter as OEM: http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/VehicleSpecific/T3/info/mods/alloys/altwhls.htm

I needed spacers in the front and have put spacers in the rear because it looks better that way.