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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5078 Location: denver
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2021 11:27 am Post subject: Re: 15'' tire options |
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I rotated my tires (Cooper Discoverer AT3 225/70/15) a couple of weekends ago as I do every 3k miles and found that my spare was completely deflated. I took it to Les Schwab and they told me the bead on the rim wasn't holding? In any case, they fixed the tire and it's on the van, holding air fine as I write.
I noticed that they'd put the tire back on with the OWL out, which doesn't match the other four, so I took it back in and they reversed it.
I noticed these cracks in the OWL side, or what is usually the inside wall of the tire:
The cracks run the whole circumference of the tire. They're small and most likely cosmetic, but I'm surprised to see cracks after only three years. Any input from the group?
(I will admit that the sight of any potential tire issue sends me running to TireRack.com, you know, just in case. ) _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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erste Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2013 Posts: 1110 Location: San Francisco
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2021 11:47 am Post subject: Re: 15'' tire options |
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Joe, can you find a build date on the tires? They're only 3 years old, but they could have been sitting in a warehouse for a while. And I'm assuming that spare never makes it into the tire rotation? Do the others have the same cracking?
My thought is that happened when they were being dismounted and mounted. A bit old, brittle, on a cold day, pushed a bit too far when breaking the bead? |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5078 Location: denver
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2021 1:24 pm Post subject: Re: 15'' tire options |
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erste wrote: |
Joe, can you find a build date on the tires? They're only 3 years old, but they could have been sitting in a warehouse for a while. And I'm assuming that spare never makes it into the tire rotation? Do the others have the same cracking?
My thought is that happened when they were being dismounted and mounted. A bit old, brittle, on a cold day, pushed a bit too far when breaking the bead? |
I do a 5 tire rotation, so the spare is only a spare for 3k miles.
I found similar cracking on three of five tires, at least on the outer sidewalls:
Build Date October 2016 for all five, I guess they're getting a bit long in the tooth. Manufactured in Texarkana, TX.
_________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15144 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2021 1:29 pm Post subject: Re: 15'' tire options |
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the 'build quality' of the (Cooper Discoverer AT3) are a tad suspect.
they were a cheap tire that got alot of attention over at expedition portal when released
and alot of attention as they aged.. sidewalls are considered soft in these. _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5078 Location: denver
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2021 1:57 pm Post subject: Re: 15'' tire options |
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danfromsyr wrote: |
the 'build quality' of the (Cooper Discoverer AT3) are a tad suspect.
they were a cheap tire that got alot of attention over at expedition portal when released
and alot of attention as they aged.. sidewalls are considered soft in these. |
People from Texarkana will fight you for saying that. (Not me though, I'm from Shreveport. )
I've beaten the crap out of them and they've held up well through Moab trails, snow and frigid temps, and lots of highway driving.
I mean they've held up well until now. I must admit this concerns me. I'd planned to get another summer out of these. _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5078 Location: denver
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Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2021 8:21 am Post subject: Re: 15'' tire options |
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I think I'm going to move to 215/75/15 and either go with the BFG's or the General Grabber ATX. I like the 225/70/15's but with my ET23 wheels, the sliding door touches the tire when opened.
I'll update after I've hemorrhaged the necessary cash. _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16505 Location: Brookeville, MD
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mikemtnbike Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015 Posts: 2797 Location: North Carolina
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walkngdude Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2021 Posts: 12 Location: Santa Cruz, California
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2021 9:49 pm Post subject: Re: 15'' tire options |
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Hi, sorry if this is an over discussed tire but I just want to make sure I'm not missing something. I'm looking at the:
NOKIAN WR C3 205/65R15C/C 102/100T
$121 @ Discount Tire Zone:
https://www.discounttirezone.com/Nokian-WR-C3-20565R15CC-102100T_p_15679.html
This is for my son's 1985 Westfalia and we plan on getting the GoWesty 15" steel wheels for $360.
I want a good all weather tire and keep the overall diameter as close to stock as possible as to not loose power on the gearing. And maybe handle a little dirt.
This seems a little pricey too me so a more affordable suggestion is appreciated. I've been reading about this for seems like hours of days of mo... haha so I'm still formulating options.
Also, what about a spare? Do I need a full size or can I just keep one of the Nexen 185R14C?
Thanks
Marc |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22670 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2021 5:10 am Post subject: Re: 15'' tire options |
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Joe, I would run those as is. Cosmetic stuff isn’t indicative of blowouts.
If your driving pattern is 80 mph in heavy traffic every day, maybe not, but tires just don’t blow out like the old days _________________ .ssS! |
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4Gears4Tires Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018 Posts: 3051 Location: MD
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2021 7:26 am Post subject: Re: 15'' tire options |
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I would never run tires with sidewall cracking. $1000 for tires vs a potential accident/medical bills/increased rates/totaled van? Would you run fuel lines with cracking? It will probably be fine for a long time. Until, you know, it isn't. Personal anecdote, the TT had a sidewall blow out in a low profile tire a few months after we bought it. 6" long gash from hitting a slight unevenness in the pavement. Luckily we were going 25mph because that was just an accident waiting to happen. Since the 3.2 VR6 moves the battery to the rear, it meant no spare which meant waiting for a tow. Not a great ending to the night. We replaced the tires with run flats.
Marc, those Nokians will be fine. I prefer to run a matched spare even in non 4wd vehicles where it's required. Personal preference, but I think a vehicle leaning in one direction or having less grip on one front corner could make a poor day into a terrible day with one more mistake. _________________ '87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5078 Location: denver
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2021 7:51 am Post subject: Re: 15'' tire options |
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I'm going to replace them soon, before summer anyway. I do think it's probably cosmetic, but getting out in the desert in 100+ heat with cracked sidewalls seems like enough of a risk that it's worth doing sooner than later. I'd planned on new tires before next winter anyhoo.
I'm leaning towards the General Grabber ATX in 215/75/15. _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5078 Location: denver
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Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2021 8:52 am Post subject: Re: 15'' tire options |
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4Gears4Tires wrote: |
I would never run tires with sidewall cracking. $1000 for tires vs a potential accident/medical bills/increased rates/totaled van? Would you run fuel lines with cracking? It will probably be fine for a long time. Until, you know, it isn't. |
The initial plan was to run these for the summer, but your post kept gnawing at me. I pictured myself in the middle of the Utah desert with at least two blown sidewalls. More specifically, I was pondering whether airing down would exacerbate the issue.
To that end, Grabber ATX 215/75/15's were in stock at the TireRack distribution warehouse that happens to be less than a mile from my house, so I pulled the trigger. Installation and 4-wheel alignment scheduled for tomorrow.
New tires are so exciting...I won't be able to sleep tonight. _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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4Gears4Tires Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018 Posts: 3051 Location: MD
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Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2021 9:41 am Post subject: Re: 15'' tire options |
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Glad to hear it! _________________ '87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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fleetwood41 Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2012 Posts: 107 Location: Colorado
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Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2021 1:00 pm Post subject: Re: 15'' tire options |
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Joe T,
I know it's "just" tires but you're going to post a photo after installation, right?
Please do.
_________________ 1987 2WD w/ 2.5 Subi & Poptop Conversion |
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termuehlen Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2012 Posts: 994 Location: Redwood City
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Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2021 1:08 pm Post subject: Re: 15'' tire options |
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walkngdude wrote: |
Hi, sorry if this is an over discussed tire but I just want to make sure I'm not missing something. I'm looking at the:
NOKIAN WR C3 205/65R15C/C 102/100T
$121 @ Discount Tire Zone:
https://www.discounttirezone.com/Nokian-WR-C3-20565R15CC-102100T_p_15679.html
This is for my son's 1985 Westfalia and we plan on getting the GoWesty 15" steel wheels for $360.
I want a good all weather tire and keep the overall diameter as close to stock as possible as to not loose power on the gearing. And maybe handle a little dirt.
This seems a little pricey too me so a more affordable suggestion is appreciated. I've been reading about this for seems like hours of days of mo... haha so I'm still formulating options.
Also, what about a spare? Do I need a full size or can I just keep one of the Nexen 185R14C?
Thanks
Marc |
I run these tires on my Syncro. I am very happy with them. I do have as a spare, as well. They are directional, so in an emergency, the spare may be rolling in the wrong direction until you are able to get to a tire shop. I bought mine a few years ago directly from Peter at Van Cafe in SC. I think they were more expensive a few years ago. _________________ 1988 Westfalia automatic Subaru OBD1
1986 syncro tintop wbx |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5078 Location: denver
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Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2021 1:12 pm Post subject: Re: 15'' tire options |
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fleetwood41 wrote: |
Joe T,
I know it's "just" tires but you're going to post a photo after installation, right?
Please do.
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Of course! I love tire pics.
Here are a few classics:
I can't remember what these were. BFG something or other.
BFG 27x8.5R14
Geolandar 215/70R15
General Grabber AT3 215/75/15...Added because they're the same size I'm putting on the van...
Geolandar 215/75/16
Cooper Discoverer 225/70R15 on Mefro Steelies
on Ronal R9's
...and to be recycled tomorrow. _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16505 Location: Brookeville, MD
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dart330 Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2004 Posts: 454 Location: Houston, TX
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16505 Location: Brookeville, MD
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