16X7 Tires

[Jake de Villiers]

[mg93108]

[Mountain1.8t]

So I'm considering picking up a set of the 215/65/16 Yoko Geolander AT. I'll be using them as an all-purpose tire, highway driving, and exploring mild off-road. Preferably good in the snow and rain too, but I have chains for when it gets severe out.

What's the consensus on the Geolanders, and should I be considering any other tires? Thanks.

[Chuey]

[r39o]

Now using Nexen 215/65-16 tires on my 16x7 CLK rims:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=476392

Happy for $73 a tire for XL rated 102T tires.

_________________
"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....

Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently)

[Silence262]

They likely look worn on the sidewalls because of the geometry and physics of the application. This is why higher load ratings are necessary, even though the static weight is not exceeded. Vanagons are very tall vehicles, as you know. The height of the van places more force onto the tires when cornering due to the leverage that the van's height generates.

Michelins (and all other passenger tires) are rated for static load (unchanging, not non-moving) and only are lightly qffected by cornering forces. While most passenger cars can outcorner a Vanagon, such cars do not have such a tall force-multiplying structure.

It's like a wrench. If you have a short, stubby wrench, you cannot command the force and torque on a stuck bolt that a longer tool can. A standard Vanagon is 6'4" tall (vanagon.com) and a camper is 6'10" tall. In fact, they are taller than they are wide. A Honda Accord, by comparison, is less than 5 feet tall. So there is not nearly as much leverage when the Honda turns.

This is why Vanagons should have higher rated tires than small sedans...not because of the weight, but because of the forces that those tires experience.

By the way, I'm not an engineer, I'm only a genius.
_________________
Silence
"Knowledge, sir, should be free to all." - Harry Mudd

1987 GL Automatic, 16" GoWesty wheels, Full stainless exhaust.

[Chuey]

[outwesty]

I just picked up a set of Cooper Discoverer AT3's for $464 shipped (instant rebate) in size 215 70 16. I should have them mounted tomorrow. I did a lot of research before buying and the reviews are pretty good. I like how siped they are compared to BFG's or General Grabbers.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-NEW-215-70-16-COOPER-DIS...mp;vxp=mtr

[Silence262]

I just got a used set of Continental 4x4 Contact (102V) in 215-65-16 size. These are $712 a set on TireRack (before shipping or tax.) I paid $150 plus tax for the set, about 70% tread left. My GW 16" wheels should arrive at my mechanic's place in a couple days....I'll post pics when I get them on the van.
_________________
Silence
"Knowledge, sir, should be free to all." - Harry Mudd

1987 GL Automatic, 16" GoWesty wheels, Full stainless exhaust.

[VanaConn]

UPDATED 12/24/12.
In my search for tires I found these links.So far only The Continental Vanco 2 tire meets and exceeds the specs for my 81 westy using 16" CLK wheels with 215/65/16 tires.Problem is that is as short as they come in vanco 2's.
215/60/16 is close to stock & I need a tire close to stock since I have an Air cooled 2.0. Too large of a tire will lug your motor and reduce cooling on the highway.As a note too wide of a tire or offset may impede your slider door or rub in the well.
I learned though a tire may be rated for 1600-1700+Lbs it's load range may still be insufficent for a vanagon. Load range C & D tires have 6 plys or more. These Vanco tires are not cheap but have high load ratings and the proper load range. Rated for over 2000lbs! each
Cost about $680 for four shipped www.tirerack.com

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/co...bNr=2.html

http://www.roadhaus.com/tires/guideline.html
plus sizing tire calculator for going from 14" to15 or 16";
See your speedo difference here also. Input 185sr14
http://www.1010tires.com/tiresizecalculator.asp?err=98&rsn=cde-no-cde-gen-by-svr


www.tiresavings.com has theses commonly used on a CLK vanagon.
WRG2 AW- note these are 4 ply extra load (XL) not C or D !
Touring All-Season
The WR G2, Nokian Tyre
215/60-16 load ratting 99H(1709lbs).800 rev per mile) $132 each . or in ;
215/65/16 with 102h load rating!!!! for $139 each.
http://www.nokiantires.com/files/nokiantires/PDF/WRG2_Technicals.pdf
I may opt for the under rated Geolander 215/60/16 because it's the only all terrain tire in that size I could find across all the brands.It's 51 psi and affordable at $535 for all four shipped from www.discounttiredirect.com.I don't want snow tires.

[Gauche1968]

[SteelB12]

Here are my Geolandars installed by TireVan at my house this morning mounted on Voxx MG3 16x7 wheels

_________________
1987 Westy

[SteelB12]

I had to order tires online to be installed by TireVan. The places I went locally thought I had two heads or six eyes for wanting to change the wheels to something bigger. Not that they could get me anything in 14". What a hassle.
_________________
1987 Westy

[Gizmoman]

I live in San Diego and drive to work in the van occasionally.
I think any vehicle that can't cruise at 65 (in So cal) should stick to the side streets, and that includes me .

My stock 14" rims had it running 4k at 65 and while that may be OK for a 1.9 - my vibrating but said "not good".

I went to this tire (mentioned in my earlier posts) to lower the revs and after extensive spreadsheets, calcs and tons of reading, this was my choice.
Was I disappointed in the reduced torque? yup. However, that disappointment was offset substantially by the grin on my face cruising along at 70 and 3,200 - along with everyone else (in the middle lane ).

I took a 2 week trip into the Sierras and the gasser transmission (don't have the exact ratio but it's on 09 6 rib) allowed me to find a suitable gear for every switchback and climb - yes, I had to go into 1st a few times. But no one was driving 65 on these roads and the trip was wonderful.

[Gizmoman]

I live in San Diego and wouldn't take this rig into snow (intentionally).
If I lived in, or planned to drive in snow, I'd be driving a Synchro and defiantly different tires

Besides, the diameter is so tight in the wheel wells, chains could be an issue on rough roads (although the fronts are the really "tight" ones).

If you have a stock engine, the taller gearing is going to really hurt.
Mine is a 1.9 TD AAZ running up to 15 lbs of boost. I have certainly lost a tad on mileage - torque as well. What I was after is lower cruising speeds on the freeway because that's primarily where I drive it. This is the best compromise for my circumstances. I was running close to 4K with the stock 14's at 65 MPH - now it's closer to 3K. .

For my needs, this tire is fantastic. Whatever you pick will be a compromise of some sort - you just have to work out what suits your situation best.

JW

[r39o]

27 inch tire 215/65-16

http://tirecrawler.com/shop/detail_tire.php?product_id=10675
_________________
"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....

Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently)

[crazyvwvanman]

Thanks, that is exactly what I needed. Since these are for my local hauler and I live in greater San Diego snow performance is way way down on the list of my tire concerns. Rain is what I am concerned about currently as the half worn Load D highway rib tires I have are slicks when it is wet out.

Mark

[Gizmoman]

Mark,

The readings on the sidewall are:
MAX LOAD 775 KG
TREAD STEEL 2 + POLYESTER + NYLON 1
SIDEWALL POLYESTER 2 PLYS
MAX PRESSURE 44 PSI

Hope this gets to you in time.

JW

[davevickery]

Mark, I had a set of 16" P205/65-16 Solus KR21s on my new to me front wheel drive mini-van. They are not good in snow. I got stuck in 2-3 inches of Colorado snow at the curb leading up my driveway. I couldn't get over the small curb and could back up to get momentum, the wheels just spun. I decided to replace them that day. I got Michelin Harmony tires which were a fair amount better. From that one experience I consider the Solus a cheap tire.

[crazyvwvanman]

Thanks, but TireRack does not list the info I asked about. It has to be read from an actual tire. I am looking to order new tires very soon.

Mark