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Mon Nov 14, 2011 5:36 am

I'm looking for some 15'' tires to put on my new bus. It's a carat and I'd like to put a set of 15'' (7in wide) Borbet rims I have lying around on it. Since it needs tires anyway, now seems like the right time.

Anyway, I am having a great deal of trouble finding non truck tires that are the proper load rating. Since its a lighter weight bus than a syncro westy does it still need a load rating of 99?
Do you have any tires to suggest that aren't off road tires and would look good?

I presume most ppl are running 205/65/15s?

Mon Nov 14, 2011 6:00 am

At roadhaus.com there's a pretty good guide for tire options and sizes. Many including me opt for nokians.

Mon Nov 14, 2011 6:02 am

WestyBob wrote: At roadhaus.com there's a pretty good guide for tire options and sizes. Many including me opt for nokians.

x2 on the Nokian.

Mon Nov 14, 2011 6:05 am

Wow, it's November already.

Mon Nov 14, 2011 6:06 am

The nokians are big bucks new, and used ones seem unavailable.
(I love buying used tires).

The only options i've found so far are the Nokians, Michelin Agilis, and Continental Vancos.

I don't like the vancos, as they'er too heavy duty. I've driven the 14'' version of them and I'm not a fan.

Mon Nov 14, 2011 6:14 am

Yes ... nokians are expensive but you'll get your price per pound out of them and rubber is very important regarding safety not to mention the convenience of performance, especially this winter.

Mon Nov 14, 2011 6:24 am

try 215/75r15

Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:01 am

Nokian X3. I've had the Agilis and they were totally hopeless in winter weather (or wet grass for that matter). LOVE the Nokians. Yes, they are more expensive but you'll be glad you spent the $$. :D

Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:18 am

Craig, lets get a group buy going. I have tried locally to get Nokian's and none of the local shops carry the tires I wanted. If we could get 2 or 3 of us together to buy tires at the same time it may make it worth one of the shops to order a pile of them and become a Nokian dealer. Who knows we may get a discount... (just brainstorming and combining my experiences working in a bike shop)

PS, sorry I didn't get to the clubhouse this weekend, sounds like a bunch was done!

Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:24 am

I like that idea Dave!
You have 15'' rims ready to go on?
I don't know who else would be in on it though but we can post to the Pittsburgh-Vanagon-Club group.

Yes, great success this weekend. A public post on here will be made about my new bus soon!

Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:28 am

quality tires are cheaper than dents and accidents. :wink:

even the popular RA08s lack when it comes to Mud & Snow (IMO)
I won't risk my doors/fenders for lack of traction.

Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:30 am

Are most of you running the WR C Van tires? which models do you suggest? I noticed there were limited size options on a few of those models. The WR C Van's had a fairly good size range.

Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:32 am

I have the Agilis 205 65 15's and, after two very minor snowstorms, I am downright frightened.

As soon as I can find it in the budget, I'm going with Nokians.

Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:54 am

Brungeman wrote: Are most of you running the WR C Van tires? which models do you suggest? I noticed there were limited size options on a few of those models. The WR C Van's had a fairly good size range.

WR C Vans on mine.

Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:56 am

I have the Yokohama Geolander AT/S. 205/70 15 on a Carat. I absolutely love the tire but I am going to have to raise the van an inch or two to solve the every once in a while clearance issues.. Merv

Mon Nov 14, 2011 8:34 am

I've said this far too often in other tire threads but ... nokians are designed and manufactured by Finns for Finns who have to drive in three season crappy weather in Finland. Those people have been living there for thousands of years and have this thing nailed down. I can't think of a stronger endorsement.

It's the proverbial saying, when in the Sahara watch what the Bedouins do, when in Polynesia watch what the Polynesians do, when driving in crappy weather watch what the Finns do.

Mon Nov 14, 2011 8:47 am

WestyBob wrote: Yes ... nokians are expensive but you'll get your price per pound out of them and rubber is very important regarding safety not to mention the convenience of performance, especially this winter.

X1000 :D

It just kills me when people come in to my work for prices on brake pads and then say "are those the cheapest you have?".

People these are brakes! Which are one of and probably the most important safety items on your car. Do you really want to go the cheapest??

I love my Nokian WRG2's 8)

Mon Nov 14, 2011 10:05 am

Speaking of Nokian does anyone use or ever have used any of the 14" Nokian studded snow tires? I have the original 14" wheels on my vanagon and want to get 15" wheels at some point. Debating weather to get some 14" studded snow tires for my current wheels and getting some 15" next spring and just keeping the 14" for winter or just get some 15" wheels now with studded tires and swap tires out each season. Also how do the Nokian non studded winter tires compare to the studded? Thanks.

Mon Nov 14, 2011 10:20 am

Anyone have any personal experience how would these Nokians (WC, CS) compare to BF Goodrich in sand, mud, dirt - i.e.- off road?

I was thinking 14" BF Goodrich AT come tire time, at least for the rear of my van (86 2.1, 2WD) - I believe the 15" BF Goodrich AT's would affect the gearing too much on my van.

It seems any off-oad tire will simply be too tall, that is affect the gearing, on these underpowered stock engine, requiring a different fianl drive ratio

Mon Nov 14, 2011 11:39 am

jcocci wrote: Also how do the Nokian non studded winter tires compare to the studded? Thanks.

Studs will always perform better on ice but not as well as non-studded on dry or wet pavement. Studs have no effect in snow, mud and sand.