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markmc90 Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2007 Posts: 295 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject: General Grabber review. 215/65/16 |
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In the last week I drove from Portland to Lake Tahoe, up to Bend OR and back to Portland. This is in my syncro with 4 adults, 2 kids and a lot of stuff. In Tahoe I got a flat tire, from a baseball sized rock that tore right threw the tread of my old tires. About a 4" gash. Those tires were a Toyo winter tire not rated for the van and came with my Merc wheels. I thought I was getting away with the lower weight rating until this.
The next day we were heading through Reno, which happens to be the main distribution center for Tirerack.com so I picked up a set of General Grabber AT 2's. Size 215/65/16. I almost went with the Yokohama Geolander ATS but the Grabbers looked so much cooler. I was afraid they might be loud though. It is amazing how quiet they really are. I dont think I took into account how loud my old tires were. I couldnt be happier with them. It did decrease power though. At sea level I think it's ok but up at 5k or 6k ft it really does slow you down.
The other snafu was not having a full sized spare when I got the flat. I use an origonal alloy with a 195\14 tire. So with the family having a picnic on the side of the road I got to pull out the front driveline. Not horrible but a pain in the ass when you have people with you.
Bottom line. I couldnt be happier with the tires. They handle good and are very quiet. _________________ 87 Syncro |
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IrideWheelies Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2009 Posts: 386 Location: Olympia, WA
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Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 6:20 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the review!
I've been looking at that same tire but in the 215/70/16 size to fit my tire rack 16" steelies.
I wanted to go with the BFG because I've had such good luck with my 14" ones but they are so much more expensive than the Grabbers!
Let us know how they do off road and in the snow! _________________ 89' Dove Blue Syncro Hightop |
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WestyBob Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2004 Posts: 2346 Location: Portland, Oregon
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Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 6:25 pm Post subject: Re: General Grabber review. 215/65/16 |
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That's for the review, Mark. Keep us updated.
Sounds like you're having a good summer aside from flats.
Bob |
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markmc90 Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2007 Posts: 295 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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I'm racking up the miles this summer. Bob I cant remember if you have these tires or the BFG's. You seem to be happy with them though. _________________ 87 Syncro |
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WestyBob Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2004 Posts: 2346 Location: Portland, Oregon
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Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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I've got the 15" BFG's. Some day I'd like to try the Grabbers. |
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Masta Shake Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2010 Posts: 198 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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I just put some of these in the 215/70/16 size on my Syncro Camper today. I'll let know know how they work out. _________________ As a good friend told me when I got the Syncro: "Welcome to the an intense love/hate relationship". |
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jkidd152 Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2009 Posts: 408 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 9:07 pm Post subject: |
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I also have the 215/65/16 Grabbers and couldn't be happier. I would definitely buy this tire again. _________________ '85 Syncro Westy |
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msewalson Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2009 Posts: 544 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 9:58 pm Post subject: |
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Perfect timing.
I couldn't decide between the BFG's or Grabbers for my 87 Syncro. I currently have the BFG's on my Ford Ranger and couldn't be happier. But those bad boys are pricey, $130.00 a tire at tire rack. The Grabbers on the other hand are a little cheaper $97.00 but also have a slightly lower load rating as well. But after reading this review I think my mind is made up and I'll try the Grabbers. |
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Type2meister Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2002 Posts: 341 Location: Campbell River, BC
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 11:04 pm Post subject: |
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any chance you could toss up a pic of these puppies? |
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BushChicken Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2010 Posts: 250 Location: California
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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 9:02 am Post subject: |
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Type2meister wrote: |
any chance you could toss up a pic of these puppies? |
Check Tire Rack. |
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psych-illogical Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2004 Posts: 1181 Location: AZ
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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 10:17 am Post subject: |
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Same tire different size. I just bought a set of the Grabbers last week in the 27x8.50x14 size. Not many miles yet but so far I like 'em. Not any noisier than the Michelin Hydroedge I had on there and they feel plenty firm, even w/ the relatively tall sidewall. _________________ 83 1/2 Westy waterboxer
'57 Beetle-sold
Coupla '81 BMW motorcycles (R80G/S; R100RS)
'96 BMW R1100GS |
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offroad. Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 211 Location: llanelli, s wales
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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 2:39 pm Post subject: |
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did a huge amount of research before i bought my tyres for the syncro. grabber at2`s do everything a bfg does for a fair bit less. if you want mt`s that are on road freindly you cant beat khumo kl71`s although there not as friendly on road as the 255/65/16 grabbers i run every day. |
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climberjohn Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:21 pm Post subject: |
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Type2meister wrote: |
any chance you could toss up a pic of these puppies? |
Tech Tip:
Go to Google.
Type most anything you want to see in the search box.
Click Images.
You will see LOTS of what you want.
Link: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=general+grabber
xo,
CJ _________________ '86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often. |
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an86carrera Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2007 Posts: 293 Location: Bradenton, FL
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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 4:54 am Post subject: |
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I bought a set of 215/65/16 this summer and have about 5000 miles on them. Steering is very light now (no power on my van) they are extremely quiet for a rugged tread design. I can not speak to the snow driving properties but seem surefooted in the rain.
Pic
_________________ Len
Current Vehicles
'84 Westy '95 2.2 Subaru
'08 Dodge 2500 diesel
'75 914 |
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Cbarney10 Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2015 Posts: 12 Location: Venice, CA
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2015 1:37 pm Post subject: |
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anybody experience rubbing / acceleration issues with 215/65/16 on a stock '86 2wd? |
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Jon_slider Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2007 Posts: 5091 Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 8:59 am Post subject: |
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Cbarney10 wrote: |
anybody experience rubbing / acceleration issues with 215/65/16 on a stock '86 2wd? |
imo the General Grabber AT2 in that size is NOT a good choice for a vanagon because it is Neither C rated, nor is it a Reinforced (XL) Passenger tire. It is just a plain Standard Load (SL) Passenger tire.
A better choice in terms of load rating is the new BFG AT Ko 215x65x16. You can look up the specs on Tirerack.com
I suggest you also read the tire thread
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=584507
hopefully you will get other replies.
what motor, what kind of van, and what tires do you currently have?
215x65x16 is a 27" diameter tire. 7% larger than stock. Yes you will experience acceleration issues. (edit per Mark below) with ET above stock 30 and width above stock 6.5", they will rub the UCA but not the fenders.
Why do you think you want that tire size? Are you hoping it will improve handling?
I suggest you study the links in my signature, then PM me with any questions. _________________ My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco
Last edited by Jon_slider on Sat Mar 28, 2015 9:44 am; edited 2 times in total |
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crazyvwvanman Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008 Posts: 9895 Location: Orbiting San Diego
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 9:38 am Post subject: |
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I have 215/65R16 XL tires on 2 of my 2wd vans. They don't rub on bumps at all, whatever the steering angle. ET37, 7x16 , slight clearancing of the upper control arm edge needed due to occasional tire contact.
Mark |
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crazyvwvanman Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008 Posts: 9895 Location: Orbiting San Diego
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 12:49 pm Post subject: |
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Any time you increase the overall tire diameter you will suffer performance penalties. How significant the penalties are is subjective and may not matter to you. Compare your current size to the new size and see how it stacks up. For example:
185R14C is about 815 revs/mile
215/65R16 is about 770 revs/mile
45/815 = less than 6% gearing change
My 215/65R16 XL tires are on 2wd with stock 2.1 and stock trans. One is a Westy, one a hardtop. I can feel the slight performance hit but don't mind it.
Cbarney10 wrote: |
anybody experience ...acceleration issues with 215/65/16 on a stock '86 2wd? |
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Cbarney10 Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2015 Posts: 12 Location: Venice, CA
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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thanks ya'll
i'm headed over to Nokian WRCs just trying to decide between 205/65/15 and 205/70/15s
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ALIKA T3 Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2009 Posts: 6315 Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
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