Should I stick with narrow tires if no power steering?

[Onion]

I have to replace all of my tires... the Hankook light truck tires that came on my recently purchased 1985 Vanagon Adventurewagen conversion have full tread, but they sat unused and exposed to the elements for years. They are in poor shape and one of them actually came apart on the highway today - luckily I was able to pull over without incident and make it home on the spare.

Based on reading soooo many tire posts... I have been seriously considering going to 15" steel wheels and the Michelin Agilis 205/65/15 tires.

The three main drawbacks are the high cost, perhaps slightly lower mileage from a wider tire, and finally (the question I could not resolve and for which I am seeking feedback) a bigger turning radius or more difficulty steering with no power steering???

The cost and issues have me hesitating, and thinking I really just want some safe tires that will last and get me around. Am I really more than four times better off with all new wheels and tires for over $1k, when I could just get five new Continental Vanco 08s or Hankook RA08s for maybe $70 each?

Do people run a 14" unmatching spare with 15" wheels on their van? (that might save me a little $)

So that's actually two questions and a request for opinion:
1) How noticeable or problematic is the added difficulty steering with 205s instead of 185s (if no power steering)?
2) Is it advisable to run a stock spare if I am rolling on 15" wheels and wider tires?

And 3) the solicitation of your opinions (one more time on this endless topic...) do you think it would reflect true wisdom to simply get some new tires on the wheels I've got (and presumably save $700 bucks that can be invested elsewhere in repairs and upgrades?

I am not about flash, and this is not any kind of performance vehicle... really I just need it to get me around safely and enjoyably. For $700 bucks I could get a new Vitrifrigo fridge to replace my 20 year old noisy energy hog (Norcold.)

Thanks to anyone who cares to spend a minute to chime in!
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'85 Vanagon Adventurewagen

[levi]

If you had 4 of the 15" wheels, you could still have a tire size that will give you a circumference approximately equal to the 14" wheels you're using now, and since you don't have a syncro it isn't critical for it to be exact.
As far as the difference in feel: at any speed over about 5 mph you won't notice much of a negative difference, actually you will notice a more stable feel. But where it will be a very noticeable difference is with parallel parking. I ran 225r55 on 16" wheels without power steering, and it was a real pain to parallel park. So the 205/r65 will be about in the middle of that difference.
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

[j_dirge]

stick with stock tires?

I have "stock" tires up front on my 89 GL Westy (w/ power steering)
That, and an alignment, and a rack repair, and the steering is near effortless now.

The old tires were Bridgestone Dueller 195-75-r14s and were wearing excessively.
That pointed to bad alignment.. but even new alignment did not stop or slow the wear.. seems the steering rack was worn (power steering).
Replaced that, too.

I'd suggest that with no power steering the skinny higher pressure tires up front will be a bit easier to drive on.


FWIW. I run two very different tire sizes front and rear. The spare is "stock".
If I flat and a can or two of "fix-a-flat" won't help the large rear tires... then I'd put on the stock spare and drive conservatively to my destination.
Then take the spare tire in for a repair... at my convenience.

[Randy in Maine]

For the money, I say stick with the Hancook or Vanco 14" tires.

Michelin also makes the Agillis in the 185R14 size.

Buy 5 if you want and include the spare in yoru rotation schedule.

[static]

Sorry to hear about your tire troubles!

[Tiiconaut]

[Onion]

Okay... Ultimately I have been swayed by all of the positive feedback in so many posts here regarding the handling benefits of 15" rims. I really needed to make a decision before I am able to actually drive anywhere (I was quite relieved to make it home!)

Since I need all new tires, it just seemed like now or never. I can afford it at the moment, and may not be in the same position once I wear out another set of tires (...I will have to put off a Vitrifrigo purchase for a while.)

I ordered the 15" steel rims from van-cafe. I also have 3 used Agilis 205/65/15s with maybe half the life left on two of them, and one in almost new condition... so only two more tires to buy for now.

I hope I will spend a lot more time on the roads and highways than I will parallel parking; and I justified it in part as a safety/handling issue (as well as opening up the future option for bigger front brakes if that ever makes sense or seems important enough to justify the hefty price tag - hopefully my front brakes won't fall apart first.)

I will put in my .02 cents on the results when the deed is done.

Thanks for the responses (and to everybody who weighed in on the many other wheel/tire posts)

...and thanks static... I guess it's my first vanagon mishap story... luckily it ended without incident!
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'85 Vanagon Adventurewagen

[airkooledchris]

[levi]

In my opinion, it's a good trade-off.
You'll spend much more time on the hi-way vs the occasional p-parking, and you're really going to like the rock-solid feel of non-power steering with those tires.
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

[j_dirge]

[justcairns]

I have stock 185 R 14 C and like them very much. Just my 2 cents.

[photogdave]

I have the Agilis on 15" rims. When I upgraded to them from 185s I noticed the difference in the turning radius straight away. It was annoying at first but I got used to it quick, and the extra stability and smoother ride more than makes up for it. I have a very narrow parking space in the garage which requires some deft maneuvering to enter so without power steering it's a bit of a workout but that never hurt anyone, right! My spare is the stock 14" wheel. Never had to use it.
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89 Syncro GL Westfalia 2.1 WBX/WBXaustSS

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[RichBenn]

[Onion]

[RichBenn]

OK, I got it....
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Rich