'02 Weekender -- best tires?

[Emittim3]

In your opinion, what are the best tires for a 2002 Weekender?

Is there a specific speed rating on them that is recommended and/or sidewall stiffness?

[Tvättbjörn]

Go by the label on the car. Make sure to buy the high load rating tires according to the label on the van. Passenger tires are too weak and NOT safe to use on those heavy vans

[Abscate]

About half of the T4 in our local group of 30 use passenger tires. Despite the shrill chest beaters here, no issues.

It’s all about intended use. Easy driving around town , they are fine

85 on western freeways at rated load, no.
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.ssS!

[mikemtnbike]

I’m going to respectfully disagree Abs. Why not just get what is recommended with the proper rating?

Limited choices for me with the 15” wheels, but I went with General Grabber HDs and have been really happy with them. Quiet but beefy.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[MrPulldown]

Not alot of XL rated tires available in 225/60r16. THis is one of the only ones left.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=...mpare1=yes

Here is another discussion on the topic. I will only run XL rated tires for my overload EVC while running 85 on western highways.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746262&highlight=xl+tires
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2002 EVC

[gesoffen]

Kumho Crugen HT51 are available with a 104 load rating (above the required load rating) in a 235/60R16 size. Slightly wider and taller than stock but within a few percent on both dimensions. They are also reasonably priced and generally available.

I have them on my '03 W/E with no issues.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=...;tab=Sizes

[matics]

[50Splitman]

Been running the Vredsteins from Tirerack on my 02 Weekender for years with no issues. Quiet, handle nicely, and so far after 20K+ miles, they wear very well. PO had 98 load rated tires installed and the ride was soft and sloppy. Much improved with the proper load rated tires. Since I load up the van significantly, it was dangerous anyway to run 98 load rating tires (they were Firestone, FWIW).

[OB Bus]

[smores]

[Abscate]

I’ll try to do a better job in 2025 remembering the T4 forum serves T4a, T4b, and EVC.
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[AlexandMary]

[murraybot]

Can 235/60/16 be run on the stock 16” rims on later eurovans, or is the 235 too wide for the stock rim?

[paddygarcia]

I've been running Yokohama Geolanders in 235/60-15 quite successfully for 10k miles now.

[gesoffen]

Zero issues with running Kumho Crugen HT51 in a 235/60R16 size.

[EuroTec]

Well...
Depends on what you're doing with the vehicle. I always recommend LT tires for Eurovans. Thicker sidewalls, better puncture resistance.

Here's the rundown on the differences.
https://www.discounttire.com/learn/passenger-vs-light-truck
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If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[bigfoot_ev]

I used to run Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S, 235/60 16 with a 100 load rating on my Weekender. I really like this tire and it did well for winter driving and the occasional forest service road. No issues with it fitting. But when I needed new tires I had problems finding it with the proper load rating. I switched to Nokian Rotiiva AT 215/65. I felt having a little more weight on a slightly smaller contact patch was actually a good thing for my driving needs. The Nokian is another good option.

[murraybot]

Thanks for the replies!
Ended up using a 215/65/16 Falken AT Trail - they look pretty nice. There are lots of good choices for high load tires in the that size.