What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread!

[crazyvwvanman]

Yes, a Load C in that size has always been LI 93 and 50 psi, at least the many brands and sets I've seen and used.
Michelin LTX came in that size for years, my favorite 14". Used to be common on Syncros and other Vanagons.
This was a bone of contention back when the Roadhaus tire guidelines were being developed. It is mostly moot now, since that LT size has all but disappeared and the Koolaid purveyors prevailed.

Mark

[danfromsyr]

OK, yeah I had a set of Michelin LTX tires, loved them but Michelin's get hard and slippery as they aged..

I like the size & tread of these 195-75-14s... and the price..
_________________

[LemonCove]

Another cautionary tale regarding tire age.

I I have really liked my Nokian Entyres - they handle and wear well. Mine have 34000 miles on them and they still have decent tread left. Nevertheless, I'm changing them out because of age.

My 215/60-R16 Nokian Entyres are 6 years old (2012). I noticed that I started to get a pull to the right and took my Westy in to have the alignment checked. Turned out that my right front tire was cupped and starting to show signs of tread separation. They swapped on the spare while I figured things out (they didn't sell a tire with the proper load rating).

This was the bad tire:

Although I'm bothered by the cupping, I have had a very good experience with the tires for 5 years, so I'm going with the Entyre 2 (newer model) in the same size, same rating - 99H XL, and slightly improved treadwear rating - 720AA.

Discount Tire is matching Simple Tires price (less than $400 for a set of 4 out the door), so I'll be able to simplify installation and future maintenance or warranty issues.
_________________
'88 Bostig Westy

[dhaavers]

^^^ Wise. Those tires were talking & you were listening...good work.

Keep us posted on the new 2's...



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

[jasonpap2002]

Hi folks,

Am going to need tires this Fall and am trying to choose between BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2s and Yokohama GEOLANDAR A/T G015.

Both would be the 215/65R16 size. I have the GoWesty (aka Mercedes style) rim.

These tires have modestly different purpose. The yokohamas are more aggressive street tire and the BFGs are more streetable offroad tire.

I like the look of both. For the most part I drive on the street (1984 Westy w/ ej25 and Peloquin, lifted, etc.) but want safe rain tires and if I hit snow would be nice to have something capable.

I lean toward the BFGs but am concerned on durability.

Can anyone provide real-world experience on life of these tires on a vanagon? The feedback on the big websites are helpful but not the exact use case.

All input appreciated!

Jason

[crazyvwvanman]

The Geolander is a weakish tire that looks toughish. Only 98 SL rated.

The BFG is a tough tire that looks tough. LT 103 rated.

For street use in that size I'd consider Nokian in XL 102.

For example:: https://www.amazon.com/Nokian-eNTYRE-All-Season-Ra...15%2F65R16

Mark

[elizer]

[jasonpap2002]

[joetiger]

I've had two sets of Geolandars (215/70/15) on my 2wd van and they've been through Moab, Baja, Canadian Rockies, etc. without issue. Tough enough for me, but most certainly not as tough as BFG's.

I'd be more concerned with the GoWesty/ASA rims. There have been several reports of cracking in the rear bolt area.
_________________
Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com

[Argos33]

Hey All,
I'm having a hard time replacing some 15" tires on my 86 weekender. I've had the nokian WR G2s (215/65 R15) for years and have been really happy with them, but can't seem to find the WR G2s or WR G3s in this size. Reading this thread I'd really like to try the eNTYRE 2.0 tires, but it appears they don't make them in the 215 size? I could go to 205/65 R15 but then the load rating drops to 99H.

Are the cLine tires pretty comparable to the eNTYRE series? This is another option:

https://www.amazon.com/Nokian-cLine-All-Season-Rad...+215+65+15

What do you think? Any other ideas for good all season tires on 15" mercedes style rims? Would the 205 size fit on the wheel if it's currently 215? That would give me more options. Most of our driving is on pavement and dirt roads.

[elizer]

In the size and load rating you are looking for.

https://www.nokiantires.com/all-weather-tires/nokian-wr-c3/

[danfromsyr]

I'd go (well I am) with a 205/70/15 XL eNTYRE
a little more side wall and similiar diameter to the 215/65/15.

the eNTYRE in a 99 or 100 is just fine unless you are a mega loaded van.

currently $63ea shipped
Nokian eNTYRE 205/70R15XL 100T BSW
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nokian-eNTYRE-205-70R15XL-100T-BSW-1-Tires/222107584756
_________________

[Argos33]

Thanks, appreciate the help! Went with the 205/70 R15 eNTYRE. Seem to be great value for that price!

[jasonpap2002]

[Argos33]

Hey Jason,
I just ordered the tires dan recommended (eNTYRE 205/70/R15) and saw that they shipped from tires-easy.com. Looking on the site they have a ton of nokian tires at good prices:

https://www.tires-easy.com/tires/nokian-tires/215-65-16

Including the new eNTYRE 2.0 and WRG3 tires which seem like excellent choices. As far as the 205 fitting on that rim, I would call discount tire or a few places and ask them about it before buying.

Another thing I found helpful recently were some of these tire calculators:

https://www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-size-calculator

Which can be useful for figuring out how close you are to the stock 26" tire size with various combinations.

[danfromsyr]

anyone looking for a set of 15in winter tires?
found this great price. $251/4 shipped.. with a bonus $50 visa gift card rebate

limited qty, but likely last years stock making way for this years inventory.
post here if you go thru with buying them out.

4 New 215/70R15XL 103T General Altimax Arctic

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-New-215-70R15XL-103T-Ge...SwtcZbj-Hk

_________________

[danfromsyr]

here's some 205/70/15 Nokian winter tires at a great price
with a Load rating of 100
US $63.64 Free shipping.. 6 left
New Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 Suv - 205/70r15 Tires 70r 15

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-New-Nokian-Hakkapeliitt...3395638078

_________________

[danfromsyr]

I don't recognize these brands.. and one looks like a trailer tire to me.

Federal MS357 LT205/65R15 102/100T Load C 6 Ply AS All Season A/S Tire
US $63.99 free shipping.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Federal-MS357-LT205-65R15...2742080655

I'd expect these to leave me stuck on a wet/muddy shoulder.
but maybe good highway MPGs.

Winrun R350 LT195/70R15 104/102R C 6 Ply Light Truck Tire
US $68.99 free shipping

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Winrun-R350-LT195-70R15-104-102R-C-6-Ply-Light-Truck-Tire/352406376238

_________________

[flomulgator]

I don't know whether this is truly a new entry to the van market or I just missed it before and the "new" label is just for a new size, but a Firestone Winterforce CV is now available as a Load Range D in 195/75/16.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=...mpare1=yes

_________________
She's built like a steakhouse, but she handles like a bistro!

[flomulgator]

Following up on my own post, I've done some research and this Winterforce Commercial Vehicle (CV) does appear to be a totally new product to market. It has an entirely different design than the ho-hum passanger Firestone Winterforce, and is one of exceptionally few snow tires with Load Range D or equivalent in van sizes.
Literally no one out in magazine land has reviewed this yet, AFAICT. It will be interesting to learn more about this option once people start using it.
_________________
She's built like a steakhouse, but she handles like a bistro!