What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread!

[darkstar1974]

Ended up with a flat/moderate leak in one of our Michelin Agilis that were outfitted by the previous owner. 205/65/15

We just did a full suspension overhaul (shocks, springs, all bushings) and added the Burley big brakes in the front.

I'd been thinking about going to 16inch wheels, etc since those Agilis were just about aged out and with all the suspension work we need an alignment.

We've got a S&S Fraken Subaru motor in the back but with an AT and 3.27 R&P I really hesitate to go larger with tires.

Anyway, the flat and a camping reservation next weekend forced my hand and I went with the Nokian WRC3 205/65/15. 6ply but I think they'll be much more sturdy than the Agilis. We took a drive down to Big Sur this past weekend and a few strong gusts going up the grade really pushed the van around.

Hope they get here in time. Our spare is 14 inch the flat holds air for a few hours sitting in the drive but might have to have it towed over to the tire shop.
_________________
1985 Westfalia Full Camper | SS Performance Subaru swap | AT | 3.27 R&P

[Mckinleyvillian]

[Stagecoach]

[DuncanS]

[crazyvwvanman]

I've been running 215 tires in 15 and 16 on multiple vans for 25+ years.
I have put the matching 215 wide 15 and 16 spares into many vans after modifying the carrier.
The rim WIDTH is a critical factor in this.
6" to 6.5" helps a lot, 7.0 is iffy and more work with 215.
I've managed it, using Nokian Entyre 215/65/16XL which I find to be quiet and smooth riding, perhaps a little soft.
205 is certainly an easier fit in the spare well.
205/70R15 and 205/65R16 can work on 7.0 rims with a VanCafe style spare carrier.

https://vancafe.com/oversized-spare-tire-carrier/

Mark

[dobryan]

[DuncanS]

I stand corrected on fitting wide tires in the clamshell. I cut the original hinges off and turned them upside down and trimmed the carrier, but if more radical surgery were performed, I'm sure bigger ones would fit. The overall diameter is important as there isn't much side room. One problem I have is sliding the fatter tire up on the clamshell under the bumper. It can be tough as there isn't really enough entry angle. If I drive the front wheels up on a 2 x something on one side, it is much easier. Don't know how a 215 would slide up, but I guess it works OK.

Mark, I'm surprised we have had such different experiences with the Entyres.

Duncan

[coqcitywesty]

Nokian Entyre 2.0 vs Nokian One - 215/60r16?

I have been running the Nokian Entyre 2.0 in 215.60r/16 size on GW rims for the past five years. I have out put about 20K miles on them, mostly on various interstates and have been quite pleased with the wear, ride and performance. I notice that they have been discontinued and replaced with the Nokian One which is available in the same size but the One is rated as a 95V tire whereas the Entyre is rated as an XL tire at 99H. The One is also rated with a max load of 1520 lbs, so my question is: Any issues changing to the One for a full camper Westy with this new load rating or should I be looking for something else? Many thanks for the insights.
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1991 Westfalia EJ251, 1972 Volvo 1800 ES

[DuncanS]

SWAG says you need to change. 95V means the sidewall isn't as secure. Fewer plies.

Duncan

[dhaavers]

x2...Something else.

Lacking an "XL" rating, the new "One" is just a plain old passenger car tire.

Subject to a 9% de-rating, yields 1383# max load if used on any light truck/van
and therefore not at all adequate for any Vanagon, much less a Westy.

Check Kam's pdf (from the Tire Sticky/FAQ)...several other good options out there:
http://oldbluesblog.com/files/VanagonTireSpecs.pdf

- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[coqcitywesty]

Thx - Nokian also offers the ‘One’ in an HT/LT version with but not in the identical tire size to my Entyres, so I will have to decide on either a different brand offering or a different size in the One HT. Again, thx for the insights.
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1991 Westfalia EJ251, 1972 Volvo 1800 ES

[DuncanS]

For what it’s worth, I couldn’t find any 205s for 16” rims. Local national dealer found only a single all season tire. Milestar. Never heard of them.

Duncan

[campism]

[Glenn73]

So I picked up a parts van that had a original Michelin 185 R 14 PR6.
Oddly enough it was still holding air. I compared it next to the General Grabber ATXs I have on my 86 and the grabbers are barely taller.

_________________
1973 Super Sat from 93-2008
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
1986 Vanagon thread Sat from 2005-2017 https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=719692

VW Transporter production film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rceTqDtGgz8

[oasis]

[mathieux46]

Hi,

Currently running 255/40R17 in the rear and 225/45R17 in the front with Porsche twist wheels on a Carat van.

I live in Montreal and we probably have to worst roads in America so the low profile tire makes the ride harsh, so I would like to add more side walls to the tire to improve confort while keeping the 17 inches Twists wheels. I have an EJ25 engine so a larger tires would help highway rpms.

Anyone have experience with 225/55R17 on a Carat ? Will these clear in the front.

Thanks

Mathieu

[khoyer01]

Anybody running 215/75/16 on a stock syncro? Ive got 215/70/16 on now and I like the look, was wondering if anybody bumped up a size. my clearance on the rear trailing arm is close but I think the 215/75/16s might fit. if not could I fit them with a spacer? on 16x7 ET 31
_________________
87 2.3 Westy (sold)
87 SVX Syncro GL

[VicVan]

I'm on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada, and I can't find suitable tires for my Westy. I tried online and a couple of shops, all I got was winter tires or Kumho Solus HA32, which looks a bit sporty to put on my Westy.

I need 215/60R16 or 205/65R16, load rating 99 or more, ideally all-weather (snowflake) but could settle for all-season.

Where should I be looking? I can import stuff from the US pretty easily (via Seawings at YYJ for the locals who know). Which website would you recommend?
Is buying tires on ebay a good idea?
(And, why not: are the Solus HA32 a good option? https://www.kumhotire.com/en-ca/global/tire/view.d...ditem=4074)
_________________
'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[wesitarz]

Kal Tire online has all season Sumitomos HTR AS PO3 215 60R 16 99v and
Nokian WRC3 LT205 65R 16 107T all weather

[DuncanS]

Nokian WRC3 LT205 65R 16 107T all weather

I bought 4 of these and they are terrible. Harsh ride, aquaplane due to lack of adequate cross channels and I get stuck in winter on my flat driveway in 3" of snow.

Don't

Duncan