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WilsonsWesty
Samba Member
Joined: February 06, 2006
Posts: 73
Location: Parkersburg, WV
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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wbailey2112
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2015
Posts: 483
Location: Grove City, OH
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 Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 1:33 pm Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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We're planning to go with the Hankook Vantra too but probably in the 195R14 size. According to the description these are specifically made for cargo vans.
These are special order from Discount Tire which I believe is a national chain in the US. 3 - 5 day delivery to my closest store and they should be able to mount and balance them when they come in.
https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/hankook-vantra-lt-ra18
_________________
'74 Thing
'83 Westfalia |
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 2:02 pm Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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essentially thee RA18 replaced the RA08 favored of times past.
they're a nice summer highway tire but start to leave traction to be desired in mud/wet grass. YMMV |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7757
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 9:05 pm Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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^^^ x2...
- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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CessnaJon
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2008
Posts: 677
Location: Senoia,GA
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DanHoug
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016
Posts: 4800
Location: Bemidji, MN
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| Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2019 9:52 am Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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i've been running those for a few hundred miles now. kept the RA18s on in front with these in back. much better snow/ice traction but they aren't jaw-dropping incredible for traction. i'll probably leave them on all year for goo/grass traction too. bought them during the Great $48 Closeout.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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vanagonjr
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010
Posts: 3431
Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7757
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 5:20 am Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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Looks adequate...   
Definitely more aggressive than the Grabber AT's(!!!) You install 'em yet? Anyone?
Please update on clearance... 
- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 6:53 am Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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Dan, part of the 2wd traction issue is the 50/50 weight split
we had to toss 2-4 bags of tube sand on the rear area of Dad's 2wd tintop.
then it ran MUCH better through the snow. this is where/why the Bay guys have better traction than us Vanagons. but it can be fixed with gear/sandbags for us.
| DanHoug wrote: |
i've been running those for a few hundred miles now. kept the RA18s on in front with these in back. much better snow/ice traction but they aren't jaw-dropping incredible for traction. i'll probably leave them on all year for goo/grass traction too. bought them during the Great $48 Closeout. |
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vanagonjr
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010
Posts: 3431
Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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| Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 10:50 am Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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| dhaavers wrote: |
| vanagonjr wrote: |
Full-on off-road in 14" and LT
Kuhmo Road Venture MT KL71 27x8.5SR14
26.8" tall
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Looks adequate...
Definitely more aggressive than the Grabber AT's(!!!) You install 'em yet? Anyone?
Please update on clearance...
- Dave |
Clearance should be OK, since they are 26.8" tall. I have 27" tall tire right now.
I was just looking at off-road tires for possibly buying a pair for the rear (2WD) to put on, once I reach dirt - for a possible big western trip.
Probably 215/65-16 BF Goodrich AT's matching my 27" tall is the smartest move, but something more aggressive would be better in any mud, but likely not as good in sand.
_________________
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 |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7757
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 9:01 pm Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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^^^ Just asking about clearance because the same size (27x8.5R14) General Grabber AT2
can rub the control arm on some vans (not the wheelwell, if that's what you were thinking)...
<shrug>
- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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vanagonjr
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010
Posts: 3431
Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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| Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 4:26 am Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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| dhaavers wrote: |
^^^ Just asking about clearance because the same size (27x8.5R14) General Grabber AT2
can rub the control arm on some vans (not the wheelwell, if that's what you were thinking)...
<shrug>
- Dave |
No, you are correct, that’s what I was thinking. My 27” are on 16” rims as well, so not a direct comparison. Good catch.
_________________
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 |
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Thunderball34
Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2019
Posts: 11
Location: Southern California
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| Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 4:51 pm Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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have 2wd westy with General Grabbers for last few years
no problems at all. love them. other ppl love the looks too (rugged) if that matters to you. got them 5 for under $100 each I believe. |
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B.O.B.Wanders
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2014
Posts: 351
Location: Atlanta, GA USA
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| Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2020 6:42 pm Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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I was poking around online to find some size specs on the old 14" BFG's for comparison and found this on the Walmart site. There is a bit of a premium due to rarity I guess.
Maybe I should sign up for the in-stock alert!
_________________
83.5 WBX 2WD Assuan Brown Westy, B.O.B.
"It feels good to be lost in the right direction” - unknown |
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 3054
Location: MD
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| Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2020 8:04 pm Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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Companies do that when they are out of stock so it pops up last in the search. You'll see it on ebay, amazon, etc..
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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B.O.B.Wanders
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2014
Posts: 351
Location: Atlanta, GA USA
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| Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 7:27 pm Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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I recently went to 15" rims and BFG KO2's but still wanted to keep a spare in the clamshell. I had done a gentle mod by removing the rod and adding a spacer in front to squeeze a 14" BFG in there. I wanted to see what I could do to narrow the size difference (25.5" KO to 27.9" KO2) but still use what I have without further modification or moving a spare to the rear ($$$).
I had put a set of the C-rated 27x8.5R14 Starfire SF510 LT's on my old Ford Ranger not long ago and thought with the slightly taller profile one of those might work out. Seems like a good solid tire.
So I put one on the old spare rim and it does just fit without rubbing the steering shaft etc.
I'm not getting into the load rating debate, but If I didn't have a full Westy, I would definitely consider the (Cooper) Starfires. The specs are identical to the General Grabber AT/X. If you are comfortable with the Grabbers for your van, you should consider these as an option as well. They are running around $100 apiece but I've seen them lower. [Caution: Cooper says 6"minimum rim width and OEM steel rims are 5.5". I'm OK with that - your mileage may vary]
The old BFG KO vs. KO2 for comparison
BFG KO2 vs Starfire SF510
On the van. Mounted to confirm fit and check the ride. I didn't notice any problem with tracking or issues with rubbing, although it is close to the UCA. I wouldn't want to leave it on for too long since there is still a noticeable size difference, but I'm comfortable with it for emergency use. I probably could've just gone with the old spare BFG and been fine for emergencies, but I really wanted to try this tire. (Yes, I'm carrying the OEM lug nuts and bolts)
_________________
83.5 WBX 2WD Assuan Brown Westy, B.O.B.
"It feels good to be lost in the right direction” - unknown |
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old_man
Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2018
Posts: 1382
Location: Newfoundland
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| Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2020 7:23 am Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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Anyone try the new Continental VanContact 4Season? It's available to me here and the price seems decent. It's not really for off road.
US Page
Canada page
PDF pamphlet
Last edited by old_man on Sat Mar 07, 2020 3:55 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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beetlehail
Samba Member
Joined: March 16, 2011
Posts: 4
Location: Carbondale, Colorado
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| Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2020 1:39 pm Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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I've been searching for a while now for a wider than 185 tire to fit on the classic 14" alloy rims. Anybody found anything that is recent? Most the tires on the Samba posts that everyone has liked have been discontinued for the 14" rim. Thanks for the help!
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Brown Sugar (Shug) - 85 Westy w/ 2010 Subaru 2.5 EJ |
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wbailey2112
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2015
Posts: 483
Location: Grove City, OH
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| Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2020 5:40 am Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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We do not have the "classic" 14" alloy wheels but we do have the stock 14" steel wheels and we plan to go with these in the near future. They are only slightly wider at 195mm however they are designed to be used on vans.
https://www.amazon.com/Hankook-Vantra-RA18-195R14-106R/dp/B01G2C14U4
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'74 Thing
'83 Westfalia |
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