14" Tire Options

[Vana Guy]

I am trying the GT Radial 205/70/14 98.
Full set less than $400 out the door, on the car.
I started out trying 2, which I have tried on the rear and front.
Noticeably smoother on the bumps. Seemed quite enough, no really noticeable road noise. Driving over the raised center line reflectors in the road (my preferred bump/noise test) the GT Radials would make a thump noise, where my old off-brand C rated tires would make a bang. Definitely understeer installed on the front, compared to the off-brand C rated tires I had on the car. But then I thought the C rated tires tended to oversteer. I think the van has more movement in cross winds.
Having 2 more installed, will be a couple days. Will they flat-spot? Will get back here when I have some more info.

[Red Ryder]

[Vana Guy]

My tin top has the middle seat removed. It is used for day trips only, maybe 60 miles round trip on mostly country roads. Typical max load is about 300 lbs humanoid, 100 lbs canine and maybe 50 lbs food and beverage. I never travel faster than 60mph.
That being said, I love the GT Radial 205/70/14 98 tires. I now have them on all 4 corners and the transformation is awesome. My tin top now rides like a civilized automobile. Much smoother and much less road noise.
The understeer I mentioned earlier is gone now that all tires are the same. Steering feels very neutral. Cross wind has not yet been tested with tires on all four corners, but will report back. I'm running 40 psi rear and 35 front. Very pleased with the tires indeed.

[Vanagon Nut]

GT Radial 205/70/14 98 led me to this:

Galaxy Commercial All Weather Tire

https://thetirewire.ca/product/galaxy-st205-75r14-road-rider-st-iv-c6-tl/

I assume price is CAD (.ca web site)

Does Load Range / Ply: C6 mean 6 ply load range C ?

If these are ok for a Westy, would 205 width/contact patch make turning manual steering *really* tough when stationary?

Weight: 12 lbs

Size: ST205/75R14

Rim Diameter: 14"

Speed Index: 100/96L

Sidewall: 7.7

Original Tread Depth: 10

Max. Load Inf. Single: 50

Max. Weight Capacity Single: 1760

Overall Diameter: 26.1

Load Range / Ply: C6
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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[crazyvwvanman]

Tires with ST at the start of the size are special trailer tires.
Not OK for a Westy, IMHO.

Mark

[Xevin]

If you are not going to run General Grabbers and want a stockish tire. Why fool around. I do respect people trying different tires for their van. But…. DJKeev with the Yokohama’s and me with the Hankooks already did your homework. DJ has 11k miles on the Yokohama’s and I’ve put about 3k to 4K miles on my Hankooks. We are doing just fine so far in them in various types of terrain. I can’t give opinion on snow yet. As we in Oregon started salting roads. The Van will stay parked in snow. Which lasts for a week in Oregon. Most of the time.
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Keep on Busin'

[Vanagon Nut]

Ok right on Mark. Thanks. Indeed they're advertised for trailer use but I was thinking of how some (including me) used to use Nexen tires and that those might've been trailer tires but I don't think that's true. They were LT tires:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=...o.#5970930

[moxnix]

https://simpletire.com/brands/starfire-tires/sf-51...rZip=00000
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Ritterlich im Kriege, wachsam für den Frieden

[brickster]

I searched hi and lo, but didn't find any references to the Cobra Radial G/T in 235/60R14.

It's marketed as a 'classic muscle car' tire, but is all season. Max load is 1565, which is a hair under what I'd consider ideal for a Camper. 9.1" wide, so not sure if that would rub?

https://coopertire.com/en-us/find-tires/all-tires/cobra-radial-g-t
https://tiresize.com/tires/Cooper/Cobra-Radial-GT-235-60R14.htm

[djkeev]

[oasis]

[djkeev]

A wear update on my 14” Yokohama tires.

13,000 miles

New Tire …… 10/32

L/F Tire …… a tad less than 7/32

The rears are worn a tad more than the fronts which I find interesting, but they do have the weight on them……..

Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[dobryan]

[plummerdesign]

Dave,
The Y356 LT185R14’s…how noisy are they? The tread looks like the Nankang tire. Thinking these might be a fine alternative Westfalia tire, yes?
Jeffery : )
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It is old and green and it makes me grin.
1984 Westfalia 1.9

[djkeev]

[Spitty1974]

Hi Guys,

So I searched this thread high and low and also looked at a few others.

I have a 1989 Single Cab with a stock diesel motor, no turbo, so it's a slow moving vehicle that will be used mostly around town and used as a truck. I occasionally will take it on some dirt fire roads for camping.

I'm looking to make it look a little more aggressive in terms of its stance. I originally wanted Maxis Bighorns because I know someone who has used these and they look great. Unfortunately, I can't get them here in the USA.

So, I am looking at getting the General Grabbers
https://www.amazon.com/General-Grabber-All-Terrain...amp;sr=8-2

Or the Forceum MT LT tires
https://www.amazon.com/Forceum-Mud-Terrain-Radial-...amp;sr=8-3

Of the Kumo Road Ventures MT KL 71

https://www.amazon.com/27x8-50R14LT-Kumho-Road-Ven...amp;sr=8-1

I'm kinda leaning towards the General Grabbers for all the reasons I read in this thread.

However, I like the look of the Forceum and the Kumho ones too. The price for all three is close, so that is not an issue.

Do any of you have experience with the Forecum or Kumho tires I linked above? I'm leaning towards the Forecum more than the Kumho, but the Generals might be the ones if I can't get any good info about the two others.

Thanks for any help. Here is a picture of the truck.

[dobryan]

I have no experience with any of those three tires but I can say that since the Forceum has NO real siping that in my experience it will be horrible in the rain or snow or wet grass, despite what they claim. It may look cool but siping is where it is at for traction in adverse weather. Take a look at the treads of the other two and you will see some siping to enhance traction.
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[deadaheadub]

[Spitty1974]

I fixed the link, thanks for the heads up.

[tomtom50]

Hi, I almost bought the GT Radial Touring VP Plus 205/70 R14 98T XL BSW, $58 each(!!) at Discount tire.

After the 9% derating of a passenger tire they are 18lb shy of the 1521lb Syncro rear GAWR (1653/1.1 = 1503). They probably would have been fine, but instead I bought Maxxis Bravo UE-168 205/70R14 102/100Q, D (8 Ply) from Priority Tire, $108 each.

It is the only commercial rated 205/70R14 tire I found. Several commercial 185R14 options are out there, but 205/70R14 is an inch wider, and that sounds like goodness. Since they are commercial tires there is no de-rating, the full 1874 load rating applies, 23% over the VW requirement.

I thought I'd mention them, because Michelin MXL 205/70R14 were supplied with Vanagons, so it is an OEM size, but it is hard to find that (inch wider) size in a commercial tire.