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david2676
Samba Member
Joined: September 06, 2008
Posts: 452
Location: san jose, ca
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 Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2015 4:19 pm Post subject: 14 inch BFG's America's tire store says No way never |
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Today I went by Americas tire story to look for new tires. Let me first say I literally hate this place but Its close and sometimes they are cheap. mostly I use their free flat repair service. their customer service sucks.
I was planning on getting 14 inch BFG's for almost no other reason than i like how they look. If I am being honest i know I can get a cheap tire that can do that job. i likely will not do much off road. the only real thing i think is not really needing chains if it came to that.
So if the BFG really that weak of a tire for a Vanagon ? I have them on other vehicles and they are the only tire I have never gotten flat with.
the Sales person said even if I brought in just rims ..he would not mount them because he knew i had a bus and I might put on it. I said how about if i said i was going to use them to make stools for my bar. he still said no way because i already told him i had a van. He said it did not matter they would demand to know what car it was going on.
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64 bug
91 Vanagon/ Subaru swap Westfalia |
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Skoolieman
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Joined: January 31, 2011
Posts: 573
Location: Chattanooga TN
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2015 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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That's ridiculous. I know quite a few people with these on their bay window with no problem and I run them on my Nissan frontier with no problem. What was his reasoning? After all they are truck tires...
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'69 Westfalia Camper~Cassidy
1600dp with H30/31 carb 009 distributor and alternator conversion |
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Gauche1968
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Joined: April 13, 2006
Posts: 1558
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2015 4:29 pm Post subject: |
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Which BFG's? All Terrains or something else?
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1984 Vanagon GL
1984 Vanagon Westy |
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geo_tonz
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Joined: August 01, 2012
Posts: 1473
Location: Courtenay, BC, CANADA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2015 4:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Gauche1968 wrote: |
| Which BFG's? All Terrains or something else? |
That's the question! 'Cause if you are trying to buy another BFG that's underated then the tire guy's right. If you are trying to buy BFG AT's then he's wrong, they are LTs and rated for the Vanagon weight. In fact a C load range is good and these are D's, so a little heavier duty.
From here we can say at minimum a vanagon tire should be rated for 1580lbs (some argue that's overkill but...).
http://www.roadhaus.com/tires/guideline.html
Tire rack says the BFG AT is rated for 1710lbs, easily surpassing the OE load range C tire the vanagon originally came with.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=B...R4ARAKORWL
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 "Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper
Last edited by geo_tonz on Wed Jan 21, 2015 4:51 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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syncrodoka
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Joined: December 27, 2005
Posts: 12300
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2015 4:47 pm Post subject: |
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They have some kind of internal regulation that says that they need to know what the tires are going on and will only sell you tires that they recommend. They will also only install 2 new tires on the rear, it doesn't matter if it is FWD or RWD. I have left that store for both reasons.
Their store, their rules and I am free to shop elsewhere(and I do).
The BFG A/T tires are well up to the task. |
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Jon_slider
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2007
Posts: 5091
Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
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| Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2015 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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> not really needing chains if it came to that.
the 195x75x14 BFG AT Ko is not snow rated, If chains are required on your way to Tahoe in a 2wd, you MUST have them, not optional, no matter what tire. But, It does not snow in San Jose 
> BFG really that weak of a tire for a Vanagon ?
not at all, its D rated and carries 1710 pounds @ 65 psi. Totally meets Vanagon specs in every way.
here are the specs
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=B...mpare1=yes
> he knew i had a bus… said no way
your 1970 is a Bus, your 1990 is not a bus, its a Van.
I suggest you contact Van Cafe and figure out what tires they recommend for your needs.
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My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32987
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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