TheSamba.com :: View topic - 95 EVC

Tue Dec 08, 2020 11:47 am

Hi Everyone:

I know tires have been discussed before, and the consensus is to left, level, and put on 16" rims. This is on my list.

Normally I don't really drive the van in the winter, but for this unusual ski season it would sure be nice.

Local shop says they don't have a winter tire they can sell me.

Based on what I have read here and elsewhere I'm not 100% certain... In 2020 is there any winter tire available on the market with the ~102 load capacity that will fit on a 95 EVC with the stock 15" rims?

I've also read it may be a tight squeeze with chains. Any collective experience there?

Other advise? Partly this is a $$$ issue at the moment but also a timing issue... I have a feeling it would be a while before I could get the work done to move to a bigger tire.

Edit: I currently have a set of Vancos on with ~8-10k miles.

Thanks much.

-sean

Tue Dec 08, 2020 12:10 pm

Just for fun... using the Eurovan as a mobile ski lodge ;)

Tue Dec 08, 2020 2:17 pm

So few cars come with 15" wheels these days and none of them at the load ratings required for the Eurovan.

The recommendation is to swap them out for 16" wheels - stock or otherwise - and then you have a lot of tire options. Even for non-snow tires your tire options are super limited with the 15" wheels and required load ratings.

Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:34 am

I recently had these crossclimate installed on my 97 EVC (herringbone design). I cannot convert to 16” due to the low height of my garage where the overall vehicle height would have made it that I could not park without rubbing the roof. So far I have been impressed (about 1000 miles) with the ride quality, noise and handling of the cross climate vs the Agilis they replaced. I have not taken the EVC in the snow yet (hope to soon but reviews show they should be decent), but I have similar tires on my SUV (different size) and was one of the reasons I switched. They have the load rating rating needed for the EVC.

https://www.americastire.com/buy-tires/michelin-agilis-crossclimate/p/40672

https://m.tirerack.com/tires/ratings-review.jsp?ti...etail=true

Wed Dec 09, 2020 11:23 am

We are in the same "van". Plan on using it as a ski lodge though our season is just started down in the lower west coast. Yesterday I had new winter tires mounted on our EVC.

Are you currently running 205/65/r15?

For now get a set of good chains. Get alpine premier chains or any of the other diamond patterned chains. Do NOT get cables or ladder type chains. I have a set of these for every car/truck/van I own. Our set for the van fit very well and tight. Though I have not run them at speed, driveway fitting and testing suggest they will do fine.
https://lacledechain.com/product/alpine-premier/
From their sizing chart it looks like you need a 1545.
These retail for about $75 but NEVER pay full price for chains. Looks like you can buy a new set off ebay for abut $35.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trk...p;_sacat=0

A few more tips on these.
Practice mounting them before you are in a snow storm on the side of the road. They can be tricky to mount. 2 things not note, the hooked ends of the "U" hooks ALWAYS face away from the tire. Easy to get a section of chain twisted upon themselves and have the hook end facing the tire. THe rubbing of the end on the tire is not as bad as the twist in the chain that will eventually break it. 2nd-When feeding the cable portion behind the tire on snow push the male end through. If you push the female end through it will pack with snow and the you wont be able to attach the male portion until you pick it clean with a tool. And it really gets packed in there.

Finally The 1545 size is very general. Often the next smaller size will actually fit better. Too bad there is no way to tell until you actually try to them on and run them. You might find that you are maxed out on tightening chain and wished you had another link to snug things up more. The next smaller size however might be difficult to get on initially. If you do get a 2nd set you can use the extra set for the rear tires. This will be VERY helpful when leaving the mountain and going downhill. Brake induced oversteer is almost always the caused off spun out chain up front wheel drive vehicles on the downslope of the passes.

Wed Dec 09, 2020 11:54 am

Thanks for the tip on these. It does sound based on the reviews you linked that they may perform better on the snow than the Vancos, but not as good as a full winter tire.

Something to consider for sure!

Sizzics wrote: I recently had these crossclimate installed on my 97 EVC (herringbone design). I cannot convert to 16” due to the low height of my garage where the overall vehicle height would have made it that I could not park without rubbing the roof. So far I have been impressed (about 1000 miles) with the ride quality, noise and handling of the cross climate vs the Agilis they replaced. I have not taken the EVC in the snow yet (hope to soon but reviews show they should be decent), but I have similar tires on my SUV (different size) and was one of the reasons I switched. They have the load rating rating needed for the EVC.

https://www.americastire.com/buy-tires/michelin-agilis-crossclimate/p/40672

https://m.tirerack.com/tires/ratings-review.jsp?ti...etail=true

Wed Dec 09, 2020 11:58 am

Great info RE: chains. I don't think I've used a set of chains since college, but I think I need to get some this year. The tires I have on now are 190/70/r15.

MrPulldown wrote: We are in the same "van". Plan on using it as a ski lodge though our season is just started down in the lower west coast. Yesterday I had new winter tires mounted on our EVC.

Are you currently running 205/65/r15?

Wed Dec 09, 2020 12:41 pm

Assuming 195/70r16.

Alpine chains suggest size 1540

Not as cheap used probably because it is not a very popular tire size.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trk...p;_sacat=0

Wed Dec 09, 2020 4:45 pm

This guy has some steelies for sale.
https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/steel-wheels.9435855/
Did not look up his ad.

For reference my steelies are 7x16 with and ET of 49

Thu Dec 10, 2020 12:56 am

I just put on a set of Nokian C3 studded tires on 195/70/15 c on 93 Weekender. Really good. Load rating 102.

Thu Dec 10, 2020 10:15 am

Does look like there are 2 Nokians that fit the bill. The studless CR3 and the studded c3.

https://www.amazon.com/70R15-102R-Nokian-Hakkapeli...s9dHJ1ZQ==

Thu Dec 10, 2020 1:47 pm

I am another with the Michelin Agelis crossclimate (someone above also had). On stock 15" wheels. They are not a true winter tyre, they are a all-season and I use as such (been on a year and perhaps 5k+). I have been very happy with them, seem to stick well and have been wearing well. Not had them in any real snow though.

Thu Dec 10, 2020 3:13 pm

Thanks for all the excellent and specific advice everyone. Exactly what I was looking for and struggling to find. Much appreciated!