The Tire Sticky FAQ

[mtolleson]

I've read as much of this sticky as I can stand and I've done research elsewhere and the issue seems to be that recommended tires come and go so quickly. Does anyone know anything about Thunderer? Are they Chinese knockoffs?


https://simpletire.com/paid?v=1&tireSize=185-r...owQAvD_BwE

Mark
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69 Continental MK III
76 VW Westfalia
84 F150 4x4 351 4sp
95 Saab 900 Vert
01 H-D Sportster Hammer 1275
03 Yamaha FZ1
05 Saab 9-3 ARC 2.0T Vert, Lime Yellow
09 Saab 9-3 AERO 2.8T Vert
13 MINI Cooper JCW 6sp

[cdennisg]

[mtolleson]

Truth be known I've had good luck with Chinese tires. If there's a problem with a brand you can usually find out from reviews and forums.

Thanks,

Mark

[subliminaldood]

I guess tires are the next victim of "supply chain - a - geddon"

Just noticed that the Hankook RA18 in 195R14 (106R 8 ply) that I paid $97 for one year ago on Amazon is now $140.00 per copy.

I think I'll just wait this out.
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1969 Panel
double door
walk through

[71whitewesty]

^^ keep looking. I just received a set of 5 from Walmart online for just under $400 delivered.
_________________
71 Westy 1600 DP, all stock Bus 1
1970's Snow Trac 1600 SP (sold 12/2016)
1968 Tucker sno cat, sold 2021
1969 Tucker Sno cat 542
2017 VW Alltrac
71 tin top stock 1600 DP (project but runs)
Twin 71 White Westy, Bus 2, that I pulled from a 15 year slumber in a dry eastern WA field in 2015.
1966 Sundial Camper "Boomer"

[VWSunny72]

I got Hankook RA18s at Discount Tire this week. Guy told me that it was being discontinued. Im not sure if it was the specific size, the tire line or if he’s even correct, but thought I’d pass it on.
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I am owned by a 1972 Westy named Sunny. She has a 1979 2.0L engine w/ dual Weber IDF 40s.

[brandt]

I'm about to order a set of General Grabbers but have a few questions that I can't seem to find the answers to.

I've always bought load range "D" and looks like these are only Load range "C". Is this what all you Grabbers guys are running? Is this the metric equivalent of "D"?

Looks like best price is Amazon, less than Tire Rack or eBay. Thanks!

[richparker]

[cdennisg]

[richparker]

I’ve had passenger tires, Hankook RA08 and Hankook RA18 on buses before. The Grabber is definitely a superior tire in all conditions.
_________________
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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[sallittjob]

This might have been asked already so forgive me. I just finished the rebuild on my 75 1.8 motor and need to get a new set of shoes for spring time. I really like the idea of the General grabbers and was wondering if the larger 27 x 8.5 tire will fit on the nose of the bus as a spare? For some reason I feel like I read that the larger tire doesn't fit, but maybe that was in reference to people mounting the spare inside the bus.

Also, I have the stock 5 rib. I'm really happy with the torque I have now that the engine is in 100% working condition again. For people that run the Grabbers (or a 27x8.5R14 tire); is there much real world difference I should be concerned about? I don't want to push my setup too hard on steep hills and long highway grades but I also love the look of the A/T tires and taller stance.

Thanks all
_________________
57' Beetle Deluxe
1192cc SP

71' Super Beetle
1968cc DP

73' 412 Sedan
1679cc FI

75' Westy
1800cc FI

[SamboSamba22]

My concern with that tire on the nose would be the weight. That’s a lot of heavy rubber being jolted (yes I know it’s bolted) up and down while driving. It wouldn’t hurt to measure but I imagine diameter wise the tire would fit up there just fine.

I never noticed any lack of performance with that tire mounted on various buses. A little taller, so the tire will rotate less revolutions per mile, which can be a good thing to go faster while keeping the rpm’s down. Shouldn’t see any fuss with a healthy engine.

Sam
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The Bus Barn Ltd. Co.

Oct. ’67 Double Cab (’68 Crew Cab)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44412.png]Click to view image[/URL]
March '69 Delivery (Panel Bus)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44414.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[richparker]

No issues with the tires on the bus or on the nose. Since the tire is larger and I don’t know what mount you have. The only thing I could think may be an issues is the stud length of the tire mount. You may need to extend the studs on the mount to fit the larger tire.
_________________
__________
’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[P24p1]

Does anyone have any experience putting General Grabbers on a 1700cc engine? I'd like to put 27" diameter tires but I don't know how much stress that would put on the engine, if any.
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1973 Westfalia named Angie

What rust?

Rev it - don't lug it!

[richparker]

I don’t think they will put and additional stress on your engine. I run a slightly larger engine then you, but I get the same MPG with them as I did when I used the 195 Hankooks. I found that the Grabbers offer a much better ride then the Hankooks both on and off road.
_________________
__________
’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[SamboSamba22]

Better tire my opinion than the Hankook and surprisingly cheaper right now than the RA18’s, so…
_________________
The Bus Barn Ltd. Co.

Oct. ’67 Double Cab (’68 Crew Cab)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44412.png]Click to view image[/URL]
March '69 Delivery (Panel Bus)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44414.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[samwise]

The downside to vans getting bigger and bigger wheels in the US, I guess - less options for the older vehicles with smaller wheels.

For instance, in the UK, in 185R14C with a 102/100 load rating and 8pr, you can get tires from:

Uniroyal
Goodyear
Continental
Hankook
Bridgestone
Toyo
Kumho
General
Semperit
Nexen
GT
Maxxis
Firestone
Yokohama
BF Goodrich

plus all the "lesser" brands.
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Ben
1979 7-passenger bus
Harvee the Wonder Bus' pics

[hermanbenji]

Has anyone tried these? Hankook Vantra LT 195R14 Load D 8 Ply Commercial Tire

Im specifically interested in road noise.
and what does the extra 10 mm on the 195s get you compaired to the 185s?




Thanks

[vwwestyman]

[girvine]

Apologies if it has already been discussed, but I didn't find anything in a search. Does anyone have experience using a 215/65/16 on our Bays?

https://www.gowesty.com/product/bundles-and-kits/3...enders-?v=