What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread!

[Toolcan]

Damm youuu Covid 19!

[jimf909]

Woa! Where's the sticky for best late-nite posts?

[Toolcan]

If I were High...
Vrs Heading towards and I quote
A Covid 19 Drunken stupor.....

If I were High I would love some Ko2!
Perhaps Geolanders or who Knows......

Load Range be Dammed!

Get me some Bar...
FYI a Jonathan? in Bend Oregon makes a lovely
Pre Runner looking Bull Bar.
Get a Little white line to run with..
( Talking Bushings here People...Gawhhd!)

But Alas I bought a little low Tin Top Carrat
Lets here it for fog lights mounted on fiberglass bumpers
As your only accessory...
Whoop Whoop!

My Lady likes the low...All Flexed and Koni & such.
A little Jump seat Table dinning in at the Beach.
Rolln with Berry White on

17x7.5 225/50/17 97 xl front 5MM Spacer
17x8.5 245/45/17 99 xl rear No Spacer

Hoping to go 215/95 Xl Front 235/97 Xl Rear
Soon to shrink tread width a touch.

Did I mention correct load Range PSI?
GET ON IT!

Did I mention how Bored as F I am
Thanks again Covid 19!

Have to say Its good to be and I'm pretty damn
Impressed with our community & Nation
Coming to a full stop.
Together.
For health of young and old.

Your Leaders could not have made you do it.
(I'm cleary a few in)

Its quite the load!
We, despite our differences, are doing better than
you think!

Be Safe..
Be Well!

Cheers...

[nemobuscaptain]

[Toolcan]

When I was Up.....
Had longer springs/White industries Bushes/Subi
Tin Top.... R.I.P

I Ran 15 steels
Geolander AT G015 225/70/15 100load Range
This is SL tire so it was pretty consistent
Feeling between 40psi and 50psi.

Here in PNW wet this tire threw off the rain well.
Not crazy loud.
Handled...
Could take light Snow & Mud
Tire did not cut, slice or get gouged on sharp
Rock when on DNR & Logging roads less traveled
on the East side either.

[Vantropy]

Looking for tires for my Westy's Van Cafe 16x7.5" "European look" wheels (same as GoWesty 16" "Alloy wheel set") ET23.

I'm replacing my aging Nokian WRG3 215/60R 16, but they are no longer made. Van Cafe carries the replacement WRG4, but it only comes in a 215/65, and as slow as this 2.1 van is up hills, I don't want to go any slower with the larger tire!

So: I'd like to keep the size same or smaller than what it is now, with a load rating of 99XL or above. 95% road miles with the occasional "what's down that dirt road?" or campground rambling. Non-directional/asymmetrical, as I'd like to be able to rotate to both sides and have a full-size spare to go into a modified clamshell (that could be used on either side of vehicle). I'm keeping the rim at 16" to fit over bigger brakes.

I've been looking high and low, and these are the only contenders that meet these requirements. I'm currently leaning toward the Vredestein, because of the all-weather, Mountain/Snowflake (3PMSF) rating, and the Nokian has been put on a lot of Vanagons with a generally favorable response until it gets off the road.

For those of you with 16" wheels who might have different criteria, I will also include my list of close seconds and tires that didn't make my cut (and reasons why in bold type).

The Contenders:


Vredestein Quatrac 5: 215/60R16 99H XL, 3PMSF , 26.2", 21 lbs. 794 rpm, UTQG:400AA, Asymmetrical, 6-8" wheel, $107/Tire Rack, Netherlands

Nokian eNTYRE: 215/60R 16 99H XL, 26.1", 25.6lb, 795rpm, UTQG: 700AA, Asymmetrical, 6-7.5" $90 small car performance (+shipping) Finland/Russia

Falken Ziex ZE950 A/S: 215/60R16 99V, XL, 26.2", 24.3 lbs, 808rpm (?), UTQG: 600AA, Asymmetrical, 6-7.5", $90 Tires Easy, USA

Continental ContiProContact: 225/55R16 99H XL, 25.74", 22lbs. 807rpm, UTQG: 500AA, Non-Directional, 6-8". $143 Amazon/$156 tire rack. USA


*****

Close Seconds:

Nokian WRC3 205/65R16C 107 D, 3PMSF, 26.5" , 26.6lb, 786rpm,5.5-7.5", Directional, $161 tires easy,

Michelin Crossclimate+ 215/60R16 99V XL, 3PMSF, 26.1, 21 lbs. 797rpm, Directional, UTQG:600, $162 Tirerack, Italy

Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 215/60R16 99V XL, 26.1" 24lb, 811 rpm, 600AA, directional 6-7.5" wheel. $94/tire rack, Thailand

Achilles ATR sport 225/55R 16 99W, XL, 25.75", UTQG:400 27lb, Directional, $73 Amazon, Indonesia

Pirelli Cinturato P7 All season plus 215/55r16 XL 97H UTQG:700, 25.5" 21lb, 815rpm, $123 tirerack (closeout)

Hankook Ventus V2 Concept2 - SIZE: 215/55R16 97V XL,25.3" 22lbs, 798 rpm, UTQG:500 $87 tirerack

Goodyear Assurance Tripletread All season, 215/55R 97H XL, UTQG:740, 25.3" 26lb, 827 rpm, directional $153 tirerack

Michelin Defender LTX M/S 215/55R16 97H XL, 25.2" 25lb UTQG:720 823rpm $184 tirerack

****

Nope:

Nokian CLine Van 215/60R16C 103 D, 26.1"Dia, 24lb, Asymmetrical, Rim Width Range 6-7" (per Nokian).$153 amazon
Nokian CLine Van 195/65R16C 104/102 D, 3pmsf, 26", 26lbs, $140 amazon Rim Width Range 5.5-6.5 (per Nokian).
Nankang Cross-Sport All-Season SP-9 215/60R16 99V (not XL?) , 23.8lb, $52 amazon UTQG:560 directional, Taiwan, Fakespot review of Amazon reviews: F (manipulation)
Nokian eNTYRE 225/55 R 16 102, 26.6" 24.8lb, 700AA $84 Amazon
Nokian eNTYRE 205/60R16 96H XL, 25.7" Dia, 20.9lbs. UTQG: 700, Asymmetrical $85 small car performance
Nokian WRC3 215 65/r16: 27"Dia
Nokian Rotiva: Too large, Increased offroad performance, greater noise and tire wear
Michelin Defender T+H - SIZE: 215/60R16 95H, TW:820 $126 tirerack
Michelin X Tour A/S 95H
Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 215/60R16 95 SL, TW:600 $148 tirerack
Continental WinterContact SI Winter Radial Tire - 215/60R16 XL 99H 23.7lb Snow Tire
Continental CONTIPROCONTACT, 215/60R16 94T
Continental Vanco 2 215/65R16C. Too Large
Continental 4x4 Contact 215/65 R16 too large
Vredestein Comtrac Not available
Achilles Multivan 215/60 R16C, 108, 26.14", rim width 6-7"
Bridgestone Dueler 422 Ecopia 215/60 r16 95V
Falken Espia EPZ II 205/55R16XL 94T BSW Tires
Hankook Dynapro ATM RF10 Too large
Hankook i*Pike RW11 Too large
Nitto CrossTek 2 Too large
Sumitomo HTR A/S P02 215/60r16 95H
Toyo Versado Noir: Load rating too low or too large at desired load.
Toyo Open Country: 215/65/16 & 98H Too large:
Nokian Hakka Van : 215/65 R 16 C 109/107 Winter tire (770 rev/mi) & not for 7.5"

***edit: I went with the Falken Ziex. I found it curious that there are ZE950’s in the 215/60 r16 size in 95 and 99 load ratings, so make sure you’re getting the 99XL. Heard secondhand that the Vredestein Quatrac has really thin sidewalls, which sounded like a risk on the occasional rocky road. First impressions are good, the ZE 950 look and feel much like the WRG3’s did. Made in the USA too!
_________________
1989 2.1L Vanagon Westy, Automatic, Titian Red

[levi]

Yep.
Welcome to the world of having a choice.
They ought to have just one flavor, that'd make choices easier.

Btw I have the 225 55 achilles atr on your list. Love em. Although I got mine for less than 60 each on tires-easy with free shipping.
About 1 and a half years now.
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

[Jake de Villiers]

There's an error in the Falcon Ziex line: it can't be both 26.2" in diameter and 808 revs per mile.

I had the 225/55R16 ContiPro tires on my van for 5-6 years and loved them. I needed tires in a hurry before an August ban tour last year and got the Entyre 215/60R16 - and I absolutely hate them. They are too tall - and the tread is so squirmy I don't even want to drive my van any more. Its so f*cking vague...

I'm going to have to suck it up and get better tires and take the loss - unless you want mine: low mileage!
_________________
'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com

[Vantropy]

[Jake de Villiers]

[VicVan]

Hi all

Not sure this is the right place, but what is the recommended tire pressure for Yokohama 370 (14") on a Westy (2WD auto)?
_________________
'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[crazyvwvanman]

Your year 1990 driver door sticker should list 43 front and 53 rear for that size, assuming 185R14C is what you have.
Earlier years show a little less pressure, so 40 and 48 could be used for example.
If carrying a light load I'd consider the lower values.

Mark

[VicVan]

Thanks Mark
It's a 1990. The Yokohama C370 are 195/70 (or 75, can't remember) R14.
Since the door sticker is for 205 or 185 wide tires, should I go kinda halfway?
_________________
'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[crazyvwvanman]

No, use the higher pressures still for your Load D tire.
The other tire (205/70R14 XL / RF) listed on your sticker is in a completely different tire category with different pressure needs.

Mark

[VicVan]

Will do. They're currently at 45 throughout, I'm curious how that will affect handling.

Thanks Mark
_________________
'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[jimf909]

1 - Yes, when doing the math for tire diameter and revs per mile I often get different numbers than the mfr. specs. I've read the mfr. specs for revs per mile are actuals from tests...but I read that on the internet.

2 - I love Nokian tires (I've used WRG3s x2 and WRC3s on my van) but I really dislike the eNTYRE on my passenger car. Wet weather traction is lousy. I've considered replacing them.

3 - Your list of tire choices is a great resource. The directional criterion does limit your choices (obviously). Good luck with the search.

M

[D_Wal]

Any reason you don’t have the WRC3 215/60/16 listed as an option?
Slightly smaller diameter than the 205/65/16

It seems like a really good option though it is pricey.

[Vantropy]

[dobryan]

[old_man]

I just slapped on some Khumo Crugen HT51s. 102 load index and surprisingly economical for me up here. $115 CAD each here with a $60 rebate if I buy 4 which works out to about $100 CAD each.

Don't mind my amazing rim paint job.