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Tue Dec 26, 2023 8:43 pm

mottoguzzi wrote: Anybody tried Maxtrek Su-800 A/T 205R14 8 ply 107 load index $90.00, not sure if they would fit stock alloys.

It'll be interesting to see if anyone has experience with these. They look good, the load rating is very good and the price is pretty good too.

It's odd that they don't spec an aspect ratio, e.g. 205/xx R14. The spec'd 27" diameter suggest an 80 aspect ratio which is tall for a 205 tire and makes this tire 6.4% taller than stock (your engine will run slower at the same mph and the van will be less quick than with the stock tire diameter).

https://www.prioritytire.com/maxtrek-su-800-a-t-lt-205r14-107-105q-d-8-ply-at-all-terrain-tire
Weird (to me) that aspect ratio isn't spec'd with these...
As the manufacturers only provide the tire width and the rim diameter with these tires, various brands and models will have size differences. In order to ensure the correct size is purchased, the overall tire diameter that is needed should be checked.

Wed Dec 27, 2023 5:06 am

jimf909 wrote:

It'll be interesting to see if anyone has experience with these. They look good, the load rating is very good and the price is pretty good too.

It's odd that they don't spec an aspect ratio, e.g. 205/xx R14. The spec'd 27" diameter suggest an 80 aspect ratio which is tall for a 205 tire and makes this tire 6.4% taller than stock (your engine will run slower at the same mph and the van will be less quick than with the stock tire diameter).

https://www.prioritytire.com/maxtrek-su-800-a-t-lt-205r14-107-105q-d-8-ply-at-all-terrain-tire
Weird (to me) that aspect ratio isn't spec'd with these...
As the manufacturers only provide the tire width and the rim diameter with these tires, various brands and models will have size differences. In order to ensure the correct size is purchased, the overall tire diameter that is needed should be checked.
Seems to me that UN SPECIFIED aspect ratio has been discussed VERY many times.
If unspecified it is assumed to be .82 Don't blame the tire manufacturer it is an industry wide convention mostly for light commercial tires.
So a 205/82-14 is 27" in diameter?
Seems like a great way to gain 3/4" ground clearance (if that's what you want) and to gain a couple ticks in higher gearing
Just the thing if you put in a torquier motor and wish to slow the motor down at speed.

Wed Dec 27, 2023 10:56 am

Okay. I recall the stock 185/14 tires w/out a stated aspect ratio but assumed that current tires stated one. Regardless, the product page doesn't say assume a .82 ratio, it says the tires will vary. Thanks for the clarification.

Wed Dec 27, 2023 12:07 pm

mottoguzzi wrote: Anybody tried Maxtrek Su-800 A/T 205R14 8 ply 107 load index $90.00, not sure if they would fit stock alloys.

Tire Easy-Truck list a 5-7" rim width, so should fit the 6" wide alloys just fine.

Wed Dec 27, 2023 12:28 pm

That 205R14 tire size is listed on the driver door sticker showing the recommended inflation pressures.

Vanagon Syncros 86-91

205R14C

Wed Dec 27, 2023 12:38 pm

crazyvwvanman wrote: That 205R14 tire size is listed on the driver door sticker showing the recommended inflation pressures.

Vanagon Syncros 86-91

205R14C

I wonder if they recommend lower pressure to keep the same gear ratios/ speed?

Wed Dec 27, 2023 12:48 pm

No, they do it for other reasons.
The pressure has a very minor effect on tire circumference.

Mark

1988M5 wrote: .....

I wonder if they recommend lower pressure to keep the same gear ratios/ speed?

Wed Dec 27, 2023 6:10 pm

1988M5 wrote:
I wonder if they recommend lower pressure to keep the same gear ratios/ speed?

The recommended pressures should keep the load across the tread rows about the same when under full load conditions. If you never (or seldom if ever) drive your van at the maximum axle load, you can get by with lower pressure.

The chalk test or checking the tread row temperatures with an IR thermometer will tell you whether you have too little or too much air for the load you are carrying. By adjusting the front to rear bias you can also adjust the amount of understeer.

Wed Dec 27, 2023 10:43 pm

Looking at the Goodyear Wrangler AT in 195/75/14

Its the stock size in an LT and AT tire, plus I used to run this size on my bus.

Any thoughts?

Thu Dec 28, 2023 7:16 am

otiswesty wrote: Any thoughts?
yeah. they are a good tire comparable to the old BFG A/T, but are usually obscenely expensive.

some years ago, you could find the guy in your town that worked on the mail trucks and he would have a bunch of these tires around in various states of wear--with and without winter studs. the USPS uses this tire on the LLV mail trucks and i used to pick up "take offs" for dirt cheap.

pretty sure the only reason this tire is around is for the USPS.

Thu Dec 28, 2023 7:56 am

If you search this thread, you'll find some discussion of them. Load index of 93 (1433lbs) and expensive (minimum of $230 per tire when I checked today). I think I read that Goodyear has a fat, guaranteed USPS contract for these to use on mail trucks, so there is zero incentive to competitively market them?

For that style of tread, it seems like most are using the 27" Grabbers. If you have the stock engine, that extra diameter will noticeably affect performance. I have read that a spring lift is not necessary, but not positive on that.

Thu Dec 28, 2023 11:04 pm

otiswesty wrote: Looking at the Goodyear Wrangler AT in 195/75/14

Its the stock size in an LT and AT tire, plus I used to run this size on my bus.

Any thoughts?

I tried going back to 14's last year for a few months (after having 16's) and went with these. Driving around town, they were the best tires I've ever had on the van. However, it was tough going back to a narrower tire when driving on a windy day on the highway. I got too spoiled with my 215/55/16's, but if you are going to stick with 14's, these are a great, but expensive choice.

PM me if you're interested in a discount code for these. I might know a guy. :)

Fri Dec 29, 2023 4:51 am

borninabus wrote: otiswesty wrote: Any thoughts?
yeah. they are a good tire comparable to the old BFG A/T, but are usually obscenely expensive.

some years ago, you could find the guy in your town that worked on the mail trucks and he would have a bunch of these tires around in various states of wear--with and without winter studs. the USPS uses this tire on the LLV mail trucks and i used to pick up "take offs" for dirt cheap.

pretty sure the only reason this tire is around is for the USPS.

You are correct. Further fleecing of the U.S. taxpayer.

Wed Jan 10, 2024 8:08 am

Is anyone running the AltiMAX RT45 205/70R14 in Load Index 98? 8.2" wide, so would these rub without spacers?

Wed Jan 10, 2024 9:47 am

brickster wrote: Is anyone running the AltiMAX RT45 205/70R14 in Load Index 98? 8.2" wide, so would these rub without spacers?

I have run 215/70R14's and now have 215/75R14's mounted on stock alloy rims and not had rubbing problems. 27x8.5r14 which are just a tiny bit larger than the 215/75r14s gave rubbing problems on my '91 low sitting Multivan but not on my higher sitting 83 1/2 with steel rims (both have the springs they came with)

205/70R14 was a stock size.

Wed Jan 10, 2024 10:45 am

1988M5 wrote: crazyvwvanman wrote: That 205R14 tire size is listed on the driver door sticker showing the recommended inflation pressures.

Vanagon Syncros 86-91

205R14C

I wonder if they recommend lower pressure to keep the same gear ratios/ speed?

A tire has the same circumference and travel per revolution at 10 psi or 40 psi. While the tire diameter appears smaller that doesn't shrink the length of the tread.

Wed Jan 10, 2024 4:10 pm

I performed the same kind of test about 20 years ago only more accurately.
There was a difference in the rolling circumference but it was very small.
If you look closely that video shows a small difference as well.

Mark

Wed Jan 10, 2024 5:58 pm

Wildthings wrote: brickster wrote: Is anyone running the AltiMAX RT45 205/70R14 in Load Index 98? 8.2" wide, so would these rub without spacers? 205/70R14 was a stock size.
Thanks. I was aware, but sometimes dimensions can vary a bit and I wasn't sure if this tire was on the wider side of the spectrum. I have steel wheels. Are you saying there's a difference in offset between stock steels and aluminums?

I am tempted to try these simply because my Vantras are not useful for loose surfaces (snow, dirt, sand and mud). I will say that they're very good for highway and easy dirt roads, quiet and stable.

Wed Jan 10, 2024 6:24 pm

crazyvwvanman wrote: I performed the same kind of test about 20 years ago only more accurately.
There was a difference in the rolling circumference but it was very small.
If you look closely that video shows a small difference as well.

Mark I measured the difference in circumference with pressure 20+ years ago. Since the spare tire on an old FJ40 sits on a swing carrier in the back of the rig and is very accessible, I choice it to experiment with. The tire would have been a P235/75r15. IIRC the difference in the circumference going from 0 psi to 40 psi was minor, like 3/16 of an inch.

Wed Jan 10, 2024 8:42 pm

Wildthings wrote: I measured the difference in circumference with pressure 20+ years ago. Since the spare tire on an old FJ40 sits on a swing carrier in the back of the rig and is very accessible, I choice it to experiment with. The tire would have been a P235/75r15. IIRC the difference in the circumference going from 0 psi to 40 psi was minor, like 3/16 of an inch.
I observed the same thing recently when fussing with a 27” in the front clamshell. “Lower the air pressure!”they cried.
The OD had virtually zero difference.