TheSamba.com :: View topic - Anyone using Yokohama Geolandar a/t s 215 65 16?

Wed May 04, 2011 3:03 pm

It seems like these tires fall into the 'debatable' category in terms of load rating.

Here are the specs:

load rating: 98H SL
500AA

98 load rating = 1653 lb
For my 83 westy, GAWR on the rear is 2866 lb (/2=1433 lb per tire)

Using the 9% reduction rule for passenger tires, I get 1504 lb. This value is higher than GAWR, but lower than the 1580 lb number that is claimed to be required here http://www.roadhaus.com/tires/guideline.html

Did I screw something up in the calculation here?

Anyone running these? What are your experiences with longevity, noise, quality, etc?

And yes, I did search for these before posting here...

Wed May 04, 2011 4:09 pm

Geolander ats is a truck tire....you don't need to do the 9% load reduction calculation........They will carry the full 98 rating
No reason why they won't work fine, other than the standard load designation which some will take exception to and others won't

Personally, I would use them without giving it a second thought.

Wed May 04, 2011 7:06 pm

OK... that was one point of confusion... they are rated SL, or standard load. Does that not mean they are passenger? or is it the fact that they don't have a P in front of them?

thanks!

Wed May 04, 2011 8:27 pm

No, sl just means they don't have reinforced sidewalls....they are manufactured and sold as a truck tire, not a passenger car tire. (I don't know too many people that would install an all terrain tire on their Golf or Passat :wink: )
A passenger tire is just that, a tire that is primarily marketed as a tire for passenger cars. Any tire found in the truck section of the brochure should meet specs for light truck use.

There's more info to be had here, but I guess in retrospect, it really only muddies the waters more
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=195

By that reading I'd almost suspect that they are rating it in the euro-metric "passenger" zone.....even though the tire is rated to handle 50 psi max pressure which is getting into XL territory....like I said, I would run them and I wouldn't worry about it in the slightest. (I've run lo profile 95 XL tires and had no problems), but it's your van and you have to make the choice you're comfortable with.

Wed May 04, 2011 9:40 pm

Thanks for the info... so have you (or anyone else?) run this particular geolander? if so, any thoughts on performance?

Wed May 04, 2011 10:05 pm

Steelhead is running that tire in that size. His initial review and photos are what helped persuade me to buy mine - albeit in the 70 series profile.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3316764&highlight=geolander#3316764

Wed May 04, 2011 10:38 pm

A buddy of mine has them on his van. They're excellent tires.

Thu May 05, 2011 6:43 am

I'm running them in a 225/70-16, they're a 107H. Very nice tire. But why the huge difference in load rating with such a small size difference, I dunno.

Thu May 05, 2011 7:07 am

225/70 16 ? Hmm... Do you have a lift on that? My understanding was that it would be difficult to go above 215/65 16 without running into rubbing issues. Unless you have a lift, that is...

Thu May 05, 2011 7:10 am

I hate to go OT, but I have to.

You sure your 1.9 powered Westy can pull those 27 inch tires?

It is debated that (and I have to post the thread) that 65 may be too much tire even for and EJ22 powered van.

"Think about it."

(In my case I have opted for 60 series.)

Thu May 05, 2011 7:16 am

Good point, but I should change my signature line .. ...I'm now the proud owner/installer of a a zetec-powered van!!! I've driven a friends zetec-powered van with 215/60 16, and that was great.

I'm not too worried about 65, but that is also part of the reason why i wrote this post -- to hear from people who have tried it!

Thu May 05, 2011 7:41 am

shizzon wrote: 225/70 16 ? Hmm... Do you have a lift on that? My understanding was that it would be difficult to go above 215/65 16 without running into rubbing issues. Unless you have a lift, that is...

Syncro, standard springs, front is 18.5" axle-to-arch.
16x7 ET45 Audi Allroad wheels on 8mm spacers (effective ET37). Tread height on the ground is ~27 5/8".

My front tires can rub the rear edge of the fender with a good bump on a sharp turn, happens very rarely. Other than that, good clearance everywhere. My 2.2 wbx has no problem pushing the Syncro with this tread diameter, in fact the overall gearing is much improved with the larger size. And I'm at 6000ft.+ altitude all the time (~20% less hp). You would have ~18mm shorter sidewall with a 215/65, or 36mm lower diameter, just by the numbers.
Quote: It is debated that (and I have to post the thread) that 65 may be too much tire even for and EJ22 powered van.
If an EJ22 couldn't handle that then why in hell would anyone do that swap, it would have to be pretty lame if that's even a question. But I know it's not that lame, Walt's just a worry-wart.

Thu May 05, 2011 7:49 am

I am running Geolanders in 15" and like how they handle and ride on our 86 Syncro Weekender. Very happy with the purchase.

Thu May 05, 2011 7:53 am

Thanks everyone for your replies!

For those who have the geolander (of any size), can you answer the following?

1. How many miles have you put on them?

2. How is the road noise (compared to whatever other tires you have experience with on the van)?

3. Do you feel the "light off-road" performance is significantly enhanced over more highway-oriented tires?

4. Have you noticed a hit in fuel economy relative to other tires?

thanks!
Sean

Thu May 05, 2011 8:18 am

1. Only about 6 or 7 k.

2. As quiet as any highway tire I've used (this was one of the reasons I chose the Yokos, that and the high mileages people reported getting out of them)

3. Can't say, comparing a Syncro to a 2WD in my case.

4. Same as #3 for me. But low noise is related to low rolling resistance, so I wouldn't expect any mileage hit if all else was equal. High inflation pressure relative to passenger tires also reduces rolling resistance.

Thu May 05, 2011 9:37 am

For people running this model and size (215 65 16), has anyone been able to fit them into the stock spare location, using a modded clamshell or the replacements from van-cafe or Burley?

- Kevin

Thu May 05, 2011 9:38 am

r39o wrote: It is debated that (and I have to post the thread) that 65 may be too much tire even for and EJ22 powered van.

Just for another point of reference, I have 215/70-16's on my stock 2.1 powered 2WD van and it pulls great. I like the higher gearing it provides, personally.

Thu May 05, 2011 10:36 am

I have Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S in size 215/60R16 on my bus now for two months:

Nice tires, it's a 2wd bus with agg i4 engine conversion and aap gearbox.

The transmission is a bit too long now, with stock tires i have a faster acceleration.
With these tires a 3h or ass gearbox would fit good.

So i need more engine power, because my aap gearbox is a fresh rebuild one with a 100% switchable difflock from a syncro gearbox.

Thu May 05, 2011 10:47 am

There's also a General Grabber At2 available in 215/65/16 that seems to have better user ratings.

Thu May 05, 2011 11:21 am

shizzon wrote: Thanks everyone for your replies!

For those who have the geolander (of any size), can you answer the following?

1. How many miles have you put on them?

2. How is the road noise (compared to whatever other tires you have experience with on the van)?

3. Do you feel the "light off-road" performance is significantly enhanced over more highway-oriented tires?

4. Have you noticed a hit in fuel economy relative to other tires?

thanks!
Sean

I have them on my Tacoma. The XL ones, not the LTs.
About 25k miles so far. Very even wear.
Road noise was not noticeably louder than the stock very hwy oriented OEM tires. The stock tires on the TRD sport look like they belong on a minivan.
Dirt and snow performance have been good. I do plenty of both in 2wd and haven't had issues. I do a lot of rain and slush driving too.

4.) yes, but I went up in size.