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sphet
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2016
Posts: 345
Location: Vancouver, BC
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 Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:07 pm Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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With the recent talk about 14" tires, I thought I would ask advice on my sad tire situation. These tires came with the van and need replacing. Can someone give me a hint on what I should be looking for that is similar? I believe they are actually larger than stock, and while I have read I should not run my tiny diesel engine harder than it needs to, would going down to stock reduce my top speed? I'm not against keeping this size, and aggressive rear wheel tread.
I don't drive in the snow but it does rain a lot here. We do gravel roads as well. It is not a DD, but mostly for long camping trips and some local hardware store runs.
Rear BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A
Front Yokahama
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Xevin 
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Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 7624
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| Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2021 9:38 am Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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Dave has the best quote here on tires.
| djkeev wrote: |
Tires are funny, everyone has unique personal experiences and opinions.
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Try to find a review on tires that drive in road conditions, tire pressure, and van set up like yours.
It’s tough. Not one size fits all needs imho. Dave had a terrible experience with the Hankook RA08s. I’ve had nothing but good experience with those on the 72 Campmobile. However the bay uses different tire pressure and isn’t the same set up as a Vanagon.
I’ll keep reviewing the Hankook RA18s on the 85 weekender as time goes on. Dave will hopefully give feedback on the Yokohamas. Unfortunately by the time we get some serious miles on the Vans. The better of the two will be NLA 
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GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!  |
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clamay
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2014
Posts: 113
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2021 12:11 pm Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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Here is another option. Maxxis 751 27x8.5x14LT Load range c. I have run on these for many years and are a good all season tire (not good in snow).
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Xevin
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 7624
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| Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2021 12:40 pm Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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| clamay wrote: |
Here is another option. Maxxis 751 27x8.5x14LT Load range c. I have run on these for many years and are a good all season tire (not good in snow).
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Are those still available 
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| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
| Clatter wrote: |
| Damn that Xevin... |
| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
| I respect Xevin and he's a turd |
| SGKent wrote: |
| My God! Xevin and I 100% agree |
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clamay
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2014
Posts: 113
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2021 2:21 pm Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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I think they are still available. I bought 2 last year. And they came up when I "googled" them earlier today.
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oasis
Samba Member
Joined: December 12, 2002
Posts: 2168
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| Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2021 5:56 pm Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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| djkeev wrote: |
As I mentioned, that salesman from the one big tire chain argued with me that 185R14 isn't a real size.
On Most tire sites you can't search for this size. Their software won't accept it. |
I'm probably going to unintentionally offend someone here, but I have run into more than my share of tire salesmen who impressed me with their lack of impressiveness.
I did run into a few sites after I made my post that offered a dash ("-") or a zero (0) for an intentionally unmentioned aspect ratio. That didn't lead me to any great revelation on tire availabilities.
I did see some Maxxis tires on eBay, but they seem to be in dwindling supplies ... so perhaps (1) leftover NLAs, or (2) me looking too into what's not there.
And, then, I stumbled across another peculiar nuance -- a trailer tire in the right size and in load range D. Instead of an LT prefix, they had another two-letter prefix. My pain meds were wearing off so I didn't go back and copy the link to sign back onto here, but I'm assuming most of the folks here who know more than me will know what to say in response. I can do another search if need be.
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Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
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crazyvwvanman
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008
Posts: 9923
Location: Orbiting San Diego
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| Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:31 pm Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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Tires meant only for trailers should have an ST at the beginning of the size.
There are sometimes tires originally built for cars that are also marketed as trailer tires since that is a very common use for certain sizes and weight ratings they come in.
These won't have an ST prefix since they are really car/truck tires that can also be used as trailer tires.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=309
Mark |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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djkeev
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VdubVanner
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Joined: August 03, 2017
Posts: 734
Location: Cowtown AB
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| Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2021 10:09 am Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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Attaboy, Dave!
I have Yoko Y370s on: LT195R14s. Beauties!
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sphet
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2016
Posts: 345
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:24 pm Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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Those look pretty good -- they're consistent with my front wheel tires which are also Yokohamas. Maybe a full set of those makes sense.
Thanks.
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oasis
Samba Member
Joined: December 12, 2002
Posts: 2168
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| Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:49 pm Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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They look great -- nicer than my current Nexen tires ... and they fit on the ½-inch wider alloys nicely, too. Thanks for the posts.
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Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI |
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djkeev
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SyncroHead
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Joined: May 23, 2005
Posts: 1141
Location: Northern Nevada
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| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 8:53 am Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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Interested if anyone has tried the GT Radial TOURING VP PLUS ??
Size: 205 /70 R14 98T XL
Seems well suited for our vans with either 14" steel or alloy wheels. Has a 98 load index with an XL ("Extra Load") rating
https://www.americastire.com/buy-tires/gt-radial-touring-vp-plus/p/31647
Depending on what part of the country you're in "America's Tire" is also "Discount Tire".
SECTION WIDTH 205
ASPECT RATIO 70
RIM DIAMETER 14
OVERALL DIAMETER 25.35"
RIM WIDTH RANGE 5.0" - 7.0"
WEIGHT 22 LBS
TREAD DEPTH 10/32"
LOAD INDEX 98
LOAD RANGE XL
MAX PSI 50 PSI
SPEED RATING UP TO 118 MPH
SIDEWALL DESC. BSW - BLACK SIDE WALL
WARRANTY 50000
Jim Davis
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| sphet wrote: |
| I have *no* idea what the previous owner carried in his Westy... angry donkeys? |
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TomatoesMcCracken
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2021
Posts: 1
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2021 9:07 am Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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I just purchased a set of the GT Radial TOURING VP PLUS tires. I'll let you know how they perform once I get them installed and put some miles on them.
Honestly though, I'm sure anything will feel like an improvement to me. I'm upgrading from 185r14c pizza cutters that just sat for 14 years and look like they should have been replaced before that long winter. |
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djkeev
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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danfromsyr
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Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2021 3:22 pm Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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Dave see the posts above, those are a Load rated 98 with a max PSI of 50.
they'll be 'fine' on a vanagon.
and you can use the door jamb PSI rating for similar tires.. as the 205/70/14 XL LR98 are what came on vans with alloy wheels. it'll be right
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deadaheadub
Samba Member
Joined: April 18, 2004
Posts: 787
Location: New Mexico
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| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2021 3:29 pm Post subject: Re: 14" Tire Options |
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And per the specs, they can go 118mph! 
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