15'' tire options

dogcoves · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:09 pm Post subject:

For the last 4 years I have been driving on Michelin Agilis on my 87 Westy with 15" SA Rhein rims which have been fine for coastal central California weather. It is getting to be time to think about new tires, wondering if anyone has tried the Continental Vanco 2 - they are load range C size 205/65R15
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Current VW: 1987 Westfalia

My Past Volkswagens:
1958 karmann ghia
1963 Beetle
1963 Westfalia
1966 Westfalia
1970 Beetle
1970 Westfalia

Phishman068 · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 5:15 am Post subject:

I have the 15'' continental snow tires suggested by Karl mounted up and i've put a few miles on them so far. Currently I can say I'm blown away. They transport the vanagon from a vehicle that I always considered to be bad in the snow (with Some worn down Nokian snow tires on it) to a vehicle that seems to do legitimately well!

I haven't spun a tire yet. I've driven on ice, through 6'' of powder, and through plenty of packed down snow. So far I am very impressed.

They even handled acceptably in huge wind.

There aren't enough miles on them to be conclusive yet, but so far I'm happy with them!

Brungeman · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 1:15 pm Post subject:

dogcoves · Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 11:29 pm Post subject:

YOKOHAMA 205/70/15 (96S 1565 lbs) All-Terrains have a higher load index than the Michelin HydroEdge or Defender that Gowesty uses but do not meet the 1580 lbs that roadhaus suggest as a minimum.

Anyone using Yokohama ATs?

http://www.roadhaus.com/tires/guideline.html

http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=308
_________________
Current VW: 1987 Westfalia

My Past Volkswagens:
1958 karmann ghia
1963 Beetle
1963 Westfalia
1966 Westfalia
1970 Beetle
1970 Westfalia

Phishman068 · Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 8:21 am Post subject:

Dave, I found them online than had the local tire shop match the price and install. I am planning to run them year round as that bus is primarily a winter driver and won't get many miles. If however I find a really sweet set of 17'' or bigger rims for that bus, then it will get different summer tires.
They are adequately load rated for my light passenger van, but probably would be insufficient for my heavy syncro westy.
I do notice their sidewalls are definitely softer than the previous Hankook RA08s (14''), but as I said these tires stick insanely well to winter roads and since that's the primary purpose of this vehicle, i'm willing to deal with it.
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=559766&highlight=winter+rust
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482402&highlight=sunroof+syncro
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569774
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6864936#6864936

"Along with the ability to go fast, one looses the desire to hurry."

PDXWesty · Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 8:39 am Post subject:

16" Yokohama Geolanders - No load problems.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

insyncro · Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 8:47 am Post subject:

1991 Syncro Westy.
215/75/15 Yoks
45k miles thus far...no issues.

joetiger · Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 9:56 am Post subject:

I have the Geolandar 215/70/15's and am very happy with them.

Much more here:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...p;start=20
_________________
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

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DeadSetMonkey · Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 10:46 am Post subject:

I was very happy with the set of Hankook RA08, 195/14C, that I had.

They are not real offroad-ready, but very firm and comfortable on wet/dry pavement.

They were fine on some milder offroading adventures.... but did slip a little in loose gravel and rocks... nothing that kept us from proceeding... but not as surefooted offroad as a true "all terrain" trie would be.

And, they seemed to be a great pricepoint.
I think I bought 5, new, mounted and balanced, for under 700 dollars.

I recently sold them, mounted to my 14in alloy rims, after moving up to 15in rims/tires and the BFGs ATs.

To be honest, i prefer the ride character (quieter and more comfortable) of the 14in RA08 to my 15in BFG ATs... but the ATs are definitely nicer in the snow/mud/rocks/etc... take the good with the bad when you step into an AT tire.
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'90 Syncro Westy 2.5Subi Turbo, BFGs 215/75/15 Rheins

benandmj · Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 12:04 pm Post subject: 205/70/r15

I'd like to hear more from folks with the Geolandar 205/70/r15 specifically. I have been laboring over tire choice for a while as I have wheels and hardware in hand. I've got nearly new Hankook RA08's on my stock wheels currently and am upgrading for looks as much as performance, truth be told. With my stock 1.9 wbx I can't afford losing the performance moving to much taller of a tire. I have had great experiences with the BFG A/T KO on other vehicles but with the 215/75/15's being the smallest available, I'm about to pull the trigger on the Yoko Geo's.
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85 Westfalia Weekender
91 Syncro Westy

AKRIVIERA79 · Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 2:18 pm Post subject:

Ive been on hankook ipike 15's for over 30k miles..got them used for cheap cheap...now I need to buy some tires...I liked how the ipikes handled in every condition... really liked how the ipike's handle when they were studded and working at Mt. Bachelor..then destudded them when I moved to Marin County, CA...now Im in the Denver area and having a hard time deciding which tires to go with.

Anyone running the ipikes w/o studs year round? If so...are you happy with them?
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1987 Syncro Westy

whafalia · Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 3:54 pm Post subject:

When getting an alignment this morning I asked the shop what they had in appropriate load rating and the had Hercules Power C/V at $99. Not bad for a load rating of 106/104R (I don't know what the hyphen means, but both #s are more than 97, I'm pretty sure), 2094 lbs capacity at 65psi, 8-ply. These #s are for 205/70/15, they come in 14s too!
Personally I'm looking to get nokians next time I'm in santa cruz, since I'll have to live with them for 3 or 4 years I'm not gonna gamble to save 150-200 bucks.

http://www.herculestire.com/tire-gallery/passenger-and-light-truck/light-truck/
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84 westie 2.2 w/ digijet, AT

vanagonjr · Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 4:38 pm Post subject:

Jon_slider · Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 8:47 am Post subject:

> I'd like to hear more from folks with the Geolandar 205/70/r15 specifically.

Im not in possession, but do know where to look up specs
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=Geolandar+A%2FT-S
it says the 205/70/15 is load rated 96. VW never used a tire with less than a 97 load rating. You can, but its not my suggestion.

Look for a tire with a minimum load capacity of 97, and a minimum inflation of 50psi.

The 215x70x15 Geolander fits those specs. It has a 26.9" diameter, which is 5.5% larger than stock. So that is the amount of power you will lose, 5.5% (the 205x70x15 is 4% oversize, the 215x75x15 is 9.4% oversize)

I recommend going with the 215x70x15 which is just 2% larger than the underrated 205x70x15

> I have had great experiences with the BFG A/T KO on other vehicles but with the 215/75/15's being the smallest available

BFG also makes the excellent 195x75x14 AT KO. Load rated 99, 65psi max inflation, load range D.. perfect match for stock tire size. HIGHLY recommended.
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My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco

vanagonjr · Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 9:31 am Post subject:

Jon_slider · Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 9:44 am Post subject:

> Since those are SL, should they be de-rated 9%?

yes,
if you are serious about your tires, it is best to stick to light truck tires.

But many people insist on running passenger tires on Vanagons, for example Hydroedges and small Geolanders, so Im just trying to give some very basic guidelines.

Me personally, I would not run a tire that is not at least C rated, and I prefer D or E rated myself, but I have a very heavy syncro.
_________________
My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco

vanagonjr · Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 10:05 am Post subject:

OK, from my quick calcs, if one wants to meet 97 load rating (1,609 Lbs), then an SL tire needs to be a 100 rated (1,764 de-rated to 1,605 Lbs).

Note: I am just taking Jon's 97 rating from the above post. I am not familiar with what VW spec'd.
_________________
John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798

Jon_slider · Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 10:58 am Post subject:

> I am not familiar with what VW spec'd.

here you go:
http://www.roadhaus.com/tires/VW%20Vanagon%20Original%20Equipment%20Tires%201984%20-%201991.html

from here:
http://www.roadhaus.com/tires/guideline.html

see also the recommended load inflations
http://www.roadhaus.com/tires/OE%20Tire%20Load%20Inflation%20Table.html

_________________
My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco

crazyvwvanman · Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 11:09 am Post subject:

Good luck wading through all the tire BS. VW used a passenger tire with a Load Index of 97 and max inflation psi of 40 on many of every year Vanagon from 86 on. Just look at your door stickers. That tire needs to be derated 9% too. The way you are doing it double counts the derating, not that you are alone in that mistake. In truth that tire was at the very edge of acceptable for strength so stronger has merit.

My personal preference is for Load 99 or higher, max inflation of 44 or higher. Just what I set as my desired minimum, others differ and size preference by some forces a lower standard in some cases.

The passenger tire VW used was 205/70R14. In order for that size to meet VWs weight requirement it had to be a reinforced or XL tire and so that is what VW used. The rear wheel GAWR was 2866, divided by 2 makes 1433 per wheel. So a passenger tire needs to meet 1433 AFTER the 9% subtraction, and needs to take 40 psi or more.

VWs Load 97 tire was 1580 lbs max, subtract 9% from that and you get 1438 lbs, just above the 1433 lb rear axle rating per tire on 2wd. But Syncros needed more and VW came up short when they used that same tire on Syncros. Many Syncro owners had short lived tires of the VW spec for that 70series size, tire carcass failures, etc. I suspect much of that was from failure to keep the pressure up but that is IMHO.

Mark

Jon_slider · Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 12:45 pm Post subject:

> My personal preference is for Load 99 or higher, max inflation of 44 or higher

fantastic guideline
the 205x70x15 and 215x70x15 geolanders fall below. The geolander 215x75x15 qualifies.

for people who want a 205x70x15 tire that does meet crazyvwvanman's excellent guideline, I recommend the Nokian Hakka C Van, which has a load rating of 106
http://www.nokiantyres.com/tyre?id=10360792&group=3.02&name=Nokian%20Hakka%20C%20Van

or if you drive in snow, the WRC Van, also load rated 106 in 205x70x15
http://www.nokiantyres.com/tyre?id=10360797&group=3.01&name=Nokian+WR+C+Van

both those nokians are available in 205x65x15 too, load rated 102
_________________
My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco


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15'' tire options
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