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richparker
Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2011
Posts: 6985
Location: Durango, CO
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 Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2023 7:48 am Post subject: Re: The Tire Sticky FAQ |
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| olafwagner wrote: |
The question that I have is should I go for the 'default' 185's, or should I opt for the wider 195's? |
Personally I like the larger 195. Ill it only is it a bit wider, but it’s also taller. I think it offers a better ride and I like how it fills out the wheel well a bit more.
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Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
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cdennisg
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004
Posts: 20279
Location: Sandpoint, ID
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| Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2023 9:51 am Post subject: Re: The Tire Sticky FAQ |
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| richparker wrote: |
| olafwagner wrote: |
The question that I have is should I go for the 'default' 185's, or should I opt for the wider 195's? |
Personally I like the larger 195. Ill it only is it a bit wider, but it’s also taller. I think it offers a better ride and I like how it fills out the wheel well a bit more. |
Agreed. 185's just look and feel too small, even if they are technically "correct".
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W1K1
Samba Member
Joined: March 04, 2004
Posts: 4921
Location: Southern AB
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| Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2023 12:56 pm Post subject: Re: The Tire Sticky FAQ |
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thought I found a nice set of 5- 16" steel wheels I could order for the bus, on sale at Mobelwagen @ $111 ea (16x7, 5x112 in +30 offset )
Great, then you throw them into the cart and it calculates shipping to Canada $360  or shipping to the US border $250 .....Naw I'll pass with the 1.34 exchange 
https://mobelwagen.com/products/901-stahl
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/jim_martin_engine_build.php
1973 super
1965 squareback 1500E
1971 bay window westy- subi swap |
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ohiovw
Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2023
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2023 1:43 pm Post subject: Re: The Tire Sticky FAQ |
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| I’m needing a set of new tires for a 1969 type 2. This tire thread hasn’t helped me narrow things down. Are there good options for tires from main stream places like Tire Rack? Is stock size best? Or do people always go a different size? |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50352
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| Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2023 2:20 pm Post subject: Re: The Tire Sticky FAQ |
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| ohiovw wrote: |
| I’m needing a set of new tires for a 1969 type 2. This tire thread hasn’t helped me narrow things down. Are there good options for tires from main stream places like Tire Rack? Is stock size best? Or do people always go a different size? |
If you go larger than stock you will lose tractive effort and will need to gear down sooner and more often, if you go smaller you will end up revving your engine more to make highway speeds. Few tires (if any) that are smaller than stock can handle the loaded weight of a Transporter. |
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W1K1
Samba Member
Joined: March 04, 2004
Posts: 4921
Location: Southern AB
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NASkeet
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2006
Posts: 2958
Location: South Benfleet, Essex, UK
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| Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2023 2:04 pm Post subject: Re: The Tire Sticky FAQ |
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| W1K1 wrote: |
thought I found a nice set of 5- 16" steel wheels I could order for the bus, on sale at Mobelwagen @ $111 ea (16x7, 5x112 in +30 offset )
Great, then you throw them into the cart and it calculates shipping to Canada $360 or shipping to the US border $250 .....Naw I'll pass with the 1.34 exchange
https://mobelwagen.com/products/901-stahl |
If one is going to buy non-standard or rare-sized wheels, it might be advisible to have a set of six, so that one has two spares.
There are potentially suitable Mercedes C-Class & E-Class, 16 inch aluminium-alloy or steel wheels, in a variety of widths and offsets, which could probably be sourced locally second-hand, for much less money! 
Just a few years ago, I bought a set of four 2002~03, Mercedes C-Class 7 x 16 inch alloy wheels (37 mm offset) with tyres still fitted, for just £80 plus circa £30 shipping between Yorkshire and Essex.
_________________
Regards.
Nigel A. Skeet
Independent tutor (semi-retired) of mathematics, physics, technology & engineering for secondary, tertiary, further & higher education.
Much modified, RHD 1973 VW "1600" Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan, with the World's only decent, cross-over-arm, SWF pantograph rear-window wiper
Onetime member, plus former Technical Editor & Editor of Transporter Talk magazine
Volkswagen Type 2 Owners' Club (Great Britain)
http://www.vwt2oc.net |
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W1K1
Samba Member
Joined: March 04, 2004
Posts: 4921
Location: Southern AB
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| Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2023 9:29 pm Post subject: Re: The Tire Sticky FAQ |
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| NASkeet wrote: |
If one is going to buy non-standard or rare-sized wheels, it might be advisible to have a set of six, so that one has two spares.
There are potentially suitable Mercedes C-Class & E-Class, 16 inch aluminium-alloy or steel wheels, in a variety of widths and offsets, which could probably be sourced locally second-hand, for much less money!
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The Mercedes wheels are just as rare around here
I had my buddy look in the VW database for something close, Tiguan steel wheels are, they are 16x6.5 et 33 5x112 , the center needs to be opened up to 67 mm thought. I’ll have to pick one up and check it with one of my machinist friends
_________________
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/jim_martin_engine_build.php
1973 super
1965 squareback 1500E
1971 bay window westy- subi swap |
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NASkeet
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2006
Posts: 2958
Location: South Benfleet, Essex, UK
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2023 12:28 pm Post subject: Re: The Tire Sticky FAQ |
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| W1K1 wrote: |
The Mercedes wheels are just as rare around here
I had my buddy look in the VW database for something close, Tiguan steel wheels are, they are 16x6.5 et 33 5x112 , the center needs to be opened up to 67 mm thought. I’ll have to pick one up and check it with one of my machinist friends |
Here is one link which gives the maximum front & rear axle-load limits for the late-2021 VW Tiguan, which varies slightly from one model to another. This will influence the load-limits of the wheels.
https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/the-new-tiguan-allspace-test-drives-7543/technical-data-7556
Keep in mind that for many of the Tiguan models, the rear axle-load limit is significantly less than that of the 1968~79 VW Type 2's rear axle-load limit of 1,300 kg. Although the Tiguan's unladen kerb weight is greater than that of the Type 2, it has a much smaller payload.
If you are lucky, the wheels might be embossed with their load limits, which was certainly the case with the late-1980s vintage, MG 2000 Maestro 5½ x 15 inch alloy wheels (400 kg per wheel or 1,600 kg for four wheels) for my 1974 Triumph Toledo 1300 "HL Special" whose maximum gross weight is 1,265 kg.
I have SEVEN (four + three spares) of these MG Maestro wheels, which overall cost me £100 plus less than £45 in shipping fees. Given the condition of the roads these days, it's wise insurance to have a few matching spare wheels, especially as both my car and the substitute wheels have been obsolete for more than 30 years!
Despite being a long-standing (i.e. > 50 years) collector of coins from the British Commonwealth, Colonies, Protectorates & Mandates, including the Dominion of Canada, I not recognize the abbreviations for the different provinces, including AB for Alberta, which overall had a population in 2021 of only 4•444 million, with about 81% living in urban areas.
The population of London, England (not to be confused with London, Ontario!) was 8•800 million in 2021 and my own county of Essex (3,670 square kilometres) was about 1•5 million, which is about 1•5 times the population of Alaska!
As you might be aware, many of the Canadian provinces had their own distinct coinage until well into the 20th Century, which included Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, of which I have a few specimens from each.
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/coins-and-tokens
The story surrounding the introduction of the Loon dollar is quite intriguing!
_________________
Regards.
Nigel A. Skeet
Independent tutor (semi-retired) of mathematics, physics, technology & engineering for secondary, tertiary, further & higher education.
Much modified, RHD 1973 VW "1600" Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan, with the World's only decent, cross-over-arm, SWF pantograph rear-window wiper
Onetime member, plus former Technical Editor & Editor of Transporter Talk magazine
Volkswagen Type 2 Owners' Club (Great Britain)
http://www.vwt2oc.net
Last edited by NASkeet on Fri Feb 10, 2023 1:42 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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W1K1
Samba Member
Joined: March 04, 2004
Posts: 4921
Location: Southern AB
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2023 12:36 pm Post subject: Re: The Tire Sticky FAQ |
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well now it seems that the Mercedes steel wheels are also pretty available on line in Canada 16x7 ET40 66mm center bore 5x112
once I started looking at C class wheels options started appearing.
the wheel is rated for 680kg or 1500lbs
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1973 super
1965 squareback 1500E
1971 bay window westy- subi swap |
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NASkeet
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2006
Posts: 2958
Location: South Benfleet, Essex, UK
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2023 1:32 pm Post subject: Re: The Tire Sticky FAQ |
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| W1K1 wrote: |
well now it seems that the Mercedes steel wheels are also pretty available on line in Canada 16x7 ET40 66mm center bore 5x112
once I started looking at C class wheels options started appearing.
the wheel is rated for 680kg or 1500lbs |
With that width of wheel, I would be happier with a smaller offset of something closer to 35 mm and a 6½ x 16 inch wheel would be preferable to a 7 x 16 inch wheel, if readily available.
Keep in mind that the wider the wheel, the greater the installed section width of the tyres for a given tyre size (i.e. the tyres bulge out more when installed on wider wheels), which according to the tyre-industry rule-of-thumb, increases by about 5 mm for each ½-inch increase in wheel width.
With a large offset and a wide wheel & tyre, there is a risk of the tyres' sidewalls rubbing against the front suspension anti-roll, when the steering comes close to full lock, which would result in an instant MOT road-worthiness inspection failure here in Great Britain.
6½ x 16 inch wheel - ideal tyre sizes are 195/65 R16C, 205/65 R16C, 195/60 R16C or 205/60 R16C
7 x 16 inch wheel - ideal tyre sizes are 205/65 R16C, 215/65 R16C, 205/60 R16C or 215/60 R16C
_________________
Regards.
Nigel A. Skeet
Independent tutor (semi-retired) of mathematics, physics, technology & engineering for secondary, tertiary, further & higher education.
Much modified, RHD 1973 VW "1600" Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan, with the World's only decent, cross-over-arm, SWF pantograph rear-window wiper
Onetime member, plus former Technical Editor & Editor of Transporter Talk magazine
Volkswagen Type 2 Owners' Club (Great Britain)
http://www.vwt2oc.net |
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NASkeet
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2006
Posts: 2958
Location: South Benfleet, Essex, UK
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| Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 1:10 pm Post subject: Re: The Tire Sticky FAQ |
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Last year, I learned from one of my local acquaintances on Canvey Island, Essex, England, that a few years earlier, he had experienced THREE punctures during a single journey on part of the A1/A1(M), North to South trunk road (i.e. the “Great North Road”), which extends from London, England to Edinburgh, Scotland; a journey of just circa 413 miles or 665 kilometres, which in American, Canadian or Australian parlance, might be regarded as “just down the road”. On another journey, he experienced only TWO punctures! Thereafter, he has carried FOUR spare wheels & tyres in the boots (i.e. trunks in USA parlance!) of his two cars, which he showed me when I last saw him.
On Page 14 of the following British tyre-industry (i.e. Avon, John Bull, Courier, Dunlop, Goodyear, Henley, India, Kelly-Springfield, Lee, Michelin, Pirelli & Uniroyal-Englebert) FREE booklet, published in 1983, it states:
“Tyre Care”, British Rubber Manufacturer’s Association Ltd., LM20M/7-83
« Tubes in Tubeless tyres »
« There are times when it is advantageous to fit a tube in a tubeless tyre, but the same precautions should be taken as with tubed type tyres, namely that, if damaged, the tyre should be correctly repaired and the inside should be inspected to make sure it is free from damage, blemishes or foreign matter which could cause injury to the tube in service. The correct size of tube must be fitted. »
« In the interests of safety, tubes should be used with tubeless radial tyres on cars which are not equipped with modern safety type rims. There are still vehicles which do not have such safety type rims and if tubed type tyres are not available, and tubeless tyres have to be fitted, then tubes should be used. »
« Tubes may also be fitted into tubeless tyres to overcome the problem of a leak in the rim or air loss resulting from slight damage to the sealing areas of the tyre bead or the wheel rim seat. »
If one is travelling in an obsolete vehicle (including the 1968~79 VW Type 2 and 1970~76 BLMC Triumph Toledo) on a long journey far from home, in areas where it might be difficult or impossible to obtain replacement tyres at short notice, of the correct size, load-rating & speed-rating, it would be wise to carry TWO appropriate spare wheels & tyres, plus possibly one or more inner tubes, tyre levers and puncture-repair kit.
There are many regions of the World, especially in third-world or second-world countries, but also some first-world countries (including Great Britain), where both minor or major damage to tyres and/or wheels is becoming increasingly common, owing to poor road surfaces and/or poor & neglected road maintenance.
https://www.vanarama.com/guides/cars/potholes-what-damage-can-be-caused-and-how-to-report-them
https://www.gov.uk/report-pothole
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56590518
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/c58wk0x3xd4t
https://www.rsta-uk.org/potholes-the-vital-statistics
https://www.theaa.com/breakdown-cover/advice/potholes-on-uk-roads
https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/worst-areas-england-potholes-councils-21914897
Walking just a few hundred yards or metres along roads in my locale, there are significantly more potholes than I can count on both hands, and there is one location close to my home, where there are four separate, large, deep potholes across the width of the A130 main road, where cable for a new street light was laid a few years ago, after the previous street light was irreparably damaged by a careless driver.
https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/16131305.shameful-potholes-canvey-branded-worst-essex/
Such poor road conditions, indicate to me that ultra-low profile tyres are non-viable, suggesting that all vehicle manufacturers should reverse design trends, and revert to taller profile tyres, which should probably have aspect ratios of no less than 60% or 65%.
Not only should this reduce susceptibility to tyre, wheel & suspension damage, but also improve ride comfort and possibly road holding as well, owing to having an overall softer suspension. Vehicles with an excessively stiff suspension (to which ultra-low-profile tyres contribute), will be rather twitchy on poorly surfaced roads, with bumps, dips and corrugations.
https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/are-low-profile-tires-more-likely-to-blow-out-or-puncture
_________________
Regards.
Nigel A. Skeet
Independent tutor (semi-retired) of mathematics, physics, technology & engineering for secondary, tertiary, further & higher education.
Much modified, RHD 1973 VW "1600" Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan, with the World's only decent, cross-over-arm, SWF pantograph rear-window wiper
Onetime member, plus former Technical Editor & Editor of Transporter Talk magazine
Volkswagen Type 2 Owners' Club (Great Britain)
http://www.vwt2oc.net |
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foxacoon
Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2023
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2023 12:26 pm Post subject: Re: The Tire Sticky FAQ |
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Whew - lots to read through on this thread and many of the posts aren’t helping, as the recommendations aren’t available anymore and have been discontinued.
I have a 1975, 23 window conversion with 14” wheels and I’m also looking for a solid recommendation for tires.
I have a 1600cc Dual Port motor and will be doing mostly city/highway driving. Possibly a few hundred mile adventures with my family of four.
Any recommendations with links to purchase? |
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NASkeet
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2006
Posts: 2958
Location: South Benfleet, Essex, UK
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| Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2023 1:16 pm Post subject: Re: The Tire Sticky FAQ |
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| foxacoon wrote: |
Whew - lots to read through on this thread and many of the posts aren’t helping, as the recommendations aren’t available anymore and have been discontinued.
I have a 1975, 23 window conversion with 14” wheels and I’m also looking for a solid recommendation for tires.
I have a 1600cc Dual Port motor and will be doing mostly city/highway driving. Possibly a few hundred mile adventures with my family of four.
Any recommendations with links to purchase? |
It looks as though your Brazilian built 1975 VW Type 2, is actually a "Fleetline" hybrid model, rather than a second-generation, "bay-window" 1968~79 VW Type 2 of the type manufactured in Germany, Australia and South Africa.
Availability of suitable 185/80 R14C commercial-van tyres of adequate load rating (inflation-pressure dependent!) will vary from country to country and region to region; dependent upon local demand.
Generally speaking, one should NOT use any tyre with a load index of less than 96 as an absolute minimum, and even for tyres with a substantially higher load index, this should be carefully considered in relation to the inflation pressure at which that load index is specified, versus the inflation pressure that would be used on your vehicle.
The relationship between inflation-pressure and actual in-service load rating is non-linear, so this should ideally be checked with the tyre manufacturer. It is largely the pressurised air which is supporting the vehicle weight and the tyre's structure which is containing the air.
Although suitable tyres are available from several of the premium brands, such as Goodyear and Continental, many of the current offerings originate from Second-World and Third-World countries, of unfamiliar brands and quality.
Such tyres are likely to become increasingly scarce and expensive as time passes, owing to the diminishing number of vehicles which warrant these. How much are you willing to spend now and in the future!?!
Also keep in mind, that suitable substitute 15 or 16 inch wheels of appropriate 112 mm PCD (or 205 mm PCD), 66 mm centre-bore, width and offset, might also be less readily available in future years.
https://www.asdatyres.co.uk/185-80-14/
https://www.blackcircles.com/tyres/185-80-14
https://www.national.co.uk/tyres-search?width=185&profile=80&diameter=14
_________________
Regards.
Nigel A. Skeet
Independent tutor (semi-retired) of mathematics, physics, technology & engineering for secondary, tertiary, further & higher education.
Much modified, RHD 1973 VW "1600" Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan, with the World's only decent, cross-over-arm, SWF pantograph rear-window wiper
Onetime member, plus former Technical Editor & Editor of Transporter Talk magazine
Volkswagen Type 2 Owners' Club (Great Britain)
http://www.vwt2oc.net
Last edited by NASkeet on Fri Mar 17, 2023 11:50 am; edited 1 time in total |
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foxacoon
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Joined: February 11, 2023
Posts: 22
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ToolBox
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2004
Posts: 3439
Location: Detroit, where they don't jack parts off my ride in the parking lot of the 7-11
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| Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2023 9:26 am Post subject: Re: The Tire Sticky FAQ |
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These are better choices
HANKOOK
Hankook Vantra LT
185R14, 102/100R, D (8 PLY)
YOKOHAMA
Yokohama Super Van 356
185R14, 101R, D (8 PLY) |
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foxacoon
Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2023
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2023 10:06 am Post subject: Re: The Tire Sticky FAQ |
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| ToolBox wrote: |
These are better choices
HANKOOK
Hankook Vantra LT
185R14, 102/100R, D (8 PLY)
YOKOHAMA
Yokohama Super Van 356
185R14, 101R, D (8 PLY) |
Went with the Hankook Vantra LT - thank you for the recommendation. |
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foxacoon
Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2023
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2023 9:56 am Post subject: Re: The Tire Sticky FAQ |
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| Also - I was just told by TireRack that the Hankook Vantra LT (RA18) are being discontinued, so that's that. |
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dodger tom
Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2013
Posts: 1272
Location: Central Coast, CA, but we're all still Ukrainian
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| Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2023 2:01 pm Post subject: Re: The Tire Sticky FAQ |
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| foxacoon wrote: |
| Also - I was just told by TireRack that the Hankook Vantra LT (RA18) are being discontinued, so that's that. |
asked my tire guy, and he asked his hankook rep. the rep said there are no plans at present to discontinue the vantra lt. they have a new light-truck tire coming out, but not in 185sr/14, since the vantra fills that niche.
for what it’s worth.
_________________
1978 Champaign Edition 2 Westfalia
Would never find the time to keep up another classic air-cooled. |
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22manybugs
Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2006
Posts: 373
Location: Yorba Linda, Calif
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| Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 2:07 pm Post subject: Re: The Tire Sticky FAQ |
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I was just told the same thing by America's Tire - the Hankook Vantra RA18s are discontinued. They can still get some from remaining inventory, but once the existing tires are gone, there's no more.
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Lon
1969 Karmann Ghia convertible
1971 Westfalia camper |
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