Kumho Solus TA11 tire for Vanagon seems competent.

[IdahoDoug]

I just ordered a set of these tires for the Mitsubishi and I purposely sought out the heavier rated version, which I found of all places through WalMart at $62/tire. They will eventually be on the Vanagon. I compared it to the Hankook H724, which is slightly more expensive and rated at 75lbs more weight capacity. The Kumhos I bought are a 95 load rated at 1521lbs. I have a tintop Vanagon and 6084lbs capacity is well over its rated GVW. These are also well over the Mitsubishi's 4900 max GVW.

The Hankook tire was an inch larger in diameter than the Kumho, which I counted as a negative for the Vanagon due to the loss of power that creates. I also preferred the tread pattern on the Kumho which has a lot more siping and a lot more biting edges reminiscent of the Michelin LTX tire - my all time favorite. And in a really interesting comparison, the Hankook has only a 5" wide contact patch which saves them money in making the tire but to me would sacrifice traction on snow and ice. The Kumho is 6" wide, which is a whopping 20% greater. I think the narrower Hankook would be better at freeway tracking, however, and offer better fuel economy.

The Kumho also weighs 2lbs more, which I attribute to the added material in the tread, which is deeper, and the larger tread width. To me, more rubber and materials in the important tread area spells greater resistance to injury on a forest road, longer wear, and more stable cornering. The Kumho also has greater tread depth (10.8 vs 10.0) which is obviously 8%. Add that to the larger tread surface mentioned above and I am confident I am getting a better tire. As a final jab at the Hankooks, they are made in India where the Kumhos I bought are made in South Korea - arguably more diligent with their quality.

So, just a quick synopsis of an October 2016 look at what's on the market. I looked at several other tires and even found a rare new set of Goodyear Wranglers in 205/75-14C. He has a set of 5 for $500. Look anywhere and these are $230 EACH! If anybody attending Descend on Bend wants these, let me know and I'll deliver them.

I looked at Michelins and several other choices but for $62 a tire I thought these were a really strong value and a significant upgrade from the real basic crap from China.

Here's the link to what I bought:


http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?gclid=CMfg...10164448:s
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1993 Toyota LandCruiser, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[davideric9]

I looked at the specs in the link. Are these reinforced sidewall load range C? I think the van needs reinforced sidewall.
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1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)

[IdahoDoug]

No, they are not. There are a lot of aspects that come together in the choice for Vanagon tires. I have a background in vehicle development and have my opinions as well on tires and the Vanagon's tire spec. But each has to make their own choice.

Just in a nutshell, my feeling is that tire technology has vastly improved in 30 years, and back when passenger tires were crap, it was wise to specify an enhanced tire for a vehicle that was going to see service as a commercial vehicle. These Kumho tires are aimed at today's small vans, and are rated at much higher weight than lighter passenger car tires today, and vastly higher weight than they were back then. These are also made of much higher quality materials and a far more closely controlled production process. Finally, the margin of safety in tire testing and construction is much larger today due to the amount of litigation that industry has suffered. So, I'm comfortable with the choice.

However, if you have a Westy, or a Syncro that's going to see offroad use, I don't recommend this choice. Ours sees secondary roads and moderate loads at worst. If we are heading out on a serious backcountry expedition, we will take the LandCruiser.

It will be interesting to see how these are on the Mitsubishi later this week. It is a miserable cur to drive with a much shorter wheelbase than the Vanagon, a cruder suspension, and wind sensitivity on the freeway that is near criminal. I am taking it to the Bend event so will have ample opportunity in that 1000 miles to see what's changed. I recently towed the stranded Vanagon on a trailer with this tough little beast, so a 3200lb van pulling over 5200lbs! I regularly abuse it and load it down with landscaping stuff for the house while the Vanagon is a pampered pet.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1993 Toyota LandCruiser, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[FloydRTurbo]

oh great!
another tire thread
let the pissing match begin

[borninabus]

i ran the solus 195s (which had a slightly lower rating) and they wore pretty quickly.
got the BFGs and not looking back...until i need another set of tires.

the best deal in van tires right now IMO are the general grabbers, but they are 27".
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88 Van WBX, A/T - 93 Multivan 5cyl 5M/T - 13 JSW TDI 6M/T - 2012 Touareg TDI Sport

[vanagonjr]

[IdahoDoug]

So, it is very windy here and the Mitsu at speed in the wind is like a drunken sailor in quartering seas. The Kumhos knocked that down by 3/4" so its more like a lady in heels on a broad reach. Much more stable I am heading to Descend on Bend at 4:30 and it will be 1000 miles of record rain and headline news making winds, so a perfect test environment to report next week.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1993 Toyota LandCruiser, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[jberger]

I would be interested in the 215-75-15 size as they are 100T rated.. the same as the Nokian entyre's I've been running as a primary set for almost 4 years. They have over 36000 miles on them. Good tires, a bit more sway in the sidewalls then Reinforced LT tires. The shoulders wear a bit more quickly, to be expected on a lifted van..

I'm sure the 95T's are "ok" for a lightly loaded stock 7 seater.