What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread!

[kamzcab86]

[Randy in Maine]

I am about 99% sure that the federal regulation that "de-rated" passenger car tires by 9% when used on a truck or MPV woul.d have had an effective date long after VW offered the Michelin 205/70/14 XL on a Vanagon.

Of course they have not made that Michelin in a long time by now, so it is likely a moot issue anyway.

[designer]

Holy Kamz - Awesome post -

I just went with the usual; BFG AT - 215/70 R16 and couldn't be happier. really debated the 225's but I like the way the 215's don't completely fill the wheel wells. i don't have a lift. Stock syncro springs with OME's.

They look perfect IMO.

[tam_shops]

THANK YOU Kam!

I noticed some of the tires say "Winter", and a few say "All Season", was planning on Nokian b/c their weather is supposed to be like ours (wet w/ a bit of snow here and there). There is one that says, "Nokian WRG2 All-weather Plus", so currently leaning towards that.

The Continental Vanco say, "4 Season" and one tire said 3 season (assume it doesn't like snow). Then, a bunch say, "all terrain".

What about all the ones that don't say anything one way or the other?

And, my dumb question of the day, what and how do the different patterns on the tires affect driving (mileage, slipping, corning etc)? They all *look* different. I know how to tell if I like a tire once I've driven on it, it's *really* obvious, especially in the rain. My last tires were supposed to be better in the rain, but fine in the snow (all seasons), but flat out sucked all around. My current tires are good in the rain and fine in the snow. Obviously, I can't put those tires on my Vanagon, but how do I get tires I like, before I buy them?

tam
_________________
1987 Vanagon Westfalia GL Automatic

Making it special:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=545885

[Wildthings]

Small sipes or cuts in the tread tend to increase traction over a wide range of conditions as there are more edges to dig into the surface, while larger tread blocks help in soft snow and mud. Wide cuts between the lugs will allow water to be squished out from under the tire. Traction tires and snow tires tended to be very noisy and wear out quickly decades ago, but today with computer design can run quietly and can give good tire life as the air moving between the blocks of tread helps keep them cool.

Tires without sipes don't chunk out as badly in off road use, as when spinning ones way up a steep rocky hillside.

Some tire compounds are harder for longer wear while some are softer for cold weather traction.

[tam_shops]

Thanks Wildthings! So the tires I did not like, must not have had enough sipes on them, b/c the slid all over the place in the rain and snow?

I'm now starting to get a grasp on tires, at least I get the numbers now and have chosen mine. Ok, two people suggested the same one so that's good enough for me! LOL Less painful for everyone! LOL Going to try the Nokian WRG3 in 215/60/16. The Canadian installed price is $900.

Can anyone do better?

Thanks for all the help. When this is done, I'm moving onto bumpers or a fridge! LOL

tam

[denver_westy]

Hello Any opinions on either of these tires? Has anyone run them on gowesty style rims? Tires easy has them. thanks

Falken-Ohtsu Ziex ZE950 A/S 205/65R15XL 99W BSW BSW $ 72.90

Achilles X GRIP 205/65R15C C/6PR $ 84.50

[woggs1]

Does anyone have a recommendation for some quiet tires? I am so sick of my NOISY BFG's, it gets very tiresome on long trips. I don't do anything more than regular National Forest roads that are in relatively good condition, so the BFG's are overkill for me now days.
_________________
4 speed 88 Westy

[riceye]

[dixoncj]

Looks like we have a new 14 incher.
Kenda Klever A/T - 27x8.5x14.
C-Rated, looks kinda badass and meets specs for 2wd and Syncro. Maybe they were thinking about Syncros because the rating meets minimum Syncro spec exactly.
http://www.kendatire.com/en/automotive/suv-light-truck/klever-at/

[Jake de Villiers]

[dixoncj]

[big toe]

[Jake de Villiers]

[davevickery]

Maxxis makes some 27x8.5 LT tires.
http://www.maxxis.com/tire-search?category=101&width=27&aspectRatio=8.5&rim=14

[85Joker]

for my new GW 16"x7.5" rims with a Subi motor:
I'm about to get:

Nokian eNTYRE
215/65 R 16 102 T XL (770 rev/mi)

It was close, but it came down to that vs:

Nokian Hakka Van
215/65 R 16 C 109/107 (770 rev/mi)
above seemed overkill for load and maybe harsher/louder?

Pirelli Cinturano P7 AS+
215/55 R 16 97H (810 rev/mi)
..well like on tirerack.com on sedans and perfect revs match , but standard load and I wanted a bit more margin there.


Anyone have any last second advice? Otherwise, I'll post back

[Jake de Villiers]

[85Joker]

Nokian makes a eNTYRE in 225/55 R 16 99 H XL (808 rev/mi).

You talked me into it! I was going for beefy, but 99 and XL load rated is still very good.

[ctbyrne]

Anybody know anything about the Sumitomo HTR? It's the only 215/60/16 tire on Tire Rack with the right load rating- 99H / XL? It's one third the price of the Vredestein Comtract (which does have a much higher load rating).

[furrylittleotter]