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Meles46
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Joined: January 18, 2020
Posts: 6
Location: Anywhere, USA
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 Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2020 7:05 pm Post subject: Bus Snow Tires |
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I have been looking for decent snow tires for my 69 camper. 185R14 is the right size if I'm not mistaken and I've heard that it needs to have a load rating of ~ 1500 lbs. I found these and was wondering if they seem acceptable. I would prefer some more aggressive tires but these are passable.
https://www.tires-easy.com/185-14/antares-tires/grip-20/tirecode/PCR-8811-SNOW-JH
Also if you've heard anything about this website and if they are reliable or not, I'd love to know.
PFC Reid - 1969 Bus Riviera Camper, Fillmore |
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SGKent 
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Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 41031
Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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| Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2020 7:22 pm Post subject: Re: Bus Snow Tires |
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have your existing tires carbide studded if your state allows it. MS tires help but they won't work much better than regular tires when it snows enough to compact. Go to cities that allow winter studded tires and you will find that the highways are worn from so many people using carbide studs. Or learn how to use chains and be prepared in case one breaks. They can wrap around the brake line and grab it, tearing it if one doesn't stop in time. Ask me how I know.
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Wildthings
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Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50353
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| Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:52 pm Post subject: Re: Bus Snow Tires |
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I ran heavily siped tires for years while working in ski areas, would often make the year without ever putting it in 4WD. On packed roads and ice siped tires tend to work as well or better than anything else out there. As for new fallen snow, I have had the snow billowing over the hood and have had to at times stop to clear the radiator but have never been in a no go situation on a public road while running heavily siped tires.
More than once I went over the one pass pushing heavy untracked snow and when I got down the other side of the pass I would have to get out and move the road closed signs in order to get through.
I do believe that studs help with braking better than sipes do though. |
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danfromsyr
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Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:10 pm Post subject: Re: Bus Snow Tires |
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those will be fine and good snow tires.
but when I check on them they're not able to tell me the price or availability
the one spot does say in stock.
fwiw there have been a solitary 2 of those on fleabay for a year or so now, and no other tire shop internet search finds any others for sale.
I suspect your listing is connected to those 2 lone units on fleabay.
185r14 snow/winter tires are essentially NLA anywhere for a few years.
for a full set and spare you may likely have to goto an All terrain tire and chains for deep snow/ice. |
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SGKent
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Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 41031
Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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| Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:15 pm Post subject: Re: Bus Snow Tires |
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| Wildthings wrote: |
I ran heavily siped tires for years while working in ski areas, would often make the year without ever putting it in 4WD. On packed roads and ice siped tires tend to work as well or better than anything else out there. As for new fallen snow, I have had the snow billowing over the hood and have had to at times stop to clear the radiator but have never been in a no go situation on a public road while running heavily siped tires.
More than once I went over the one pass pushing heavy untracked snow and when I got down the other side of the pass I would have to get out and move the road closed signs in order to get through.
I do believe that studs help with braking better than sipes do though. |
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/12/should-you-slash-your-tires/index.htm
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50353
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| Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:56 pm Post subject: Re: Bus Snow Tires |
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| SGKent wrote: |
| Wildthings wrote: |
I ran heavily siped tires for years while working in ski areas, would often make the year without ever putting it in 4WD. On packed roads and ice siped tires tend to work as well or better than anything else out there. As for new fallen snow, I have had the snow billowing over the hood and have had to at times stop to clear the radiator but have never been in a no go situation on a public road while running heavily siped tires.
More than once I went over the one pass pushing heavy untracked snow and when I got down the other side of the pass I would have to get out and move the road closed signs in order to get through.
I do believe that studs help with braking better than sipes do though. |
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/12/should-you-slash-your-tires/index.htm |
Yes your link shows that CR knows nothing about what they are talking about. They picked two tires that already had extensive siping and stupidly added more siping.
What they did was to destabilize the thread blocks. Not only plain stupid to do but potentially a deadly thing to do as well.
The reason why tire manufacturers have added more and more siping to tires over the last 40 years is that it works, and works well.
. |
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Danwvw
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Joined: July 31, 2012
Posts: 8892
Location: Oregon Coast
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| Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2020 11:06 pm Post subject: Re: Bus Snow Tires |
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I would stud all 4 if I was needing to drive a 69 bus on Ice! It's hard to find 185R14's in a good suv or van class also I would research 195R14's 27" LT studdable Snow tires for the back to help stabilize it.
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1960 Beetle And 1679cc DP W-100 & Dual Zeniths! |
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danfromsyr
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Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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Danwvw
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Joined: July 31, 2012
Posts: 8892
Location: Oregon Coast
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| Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2020 12:18 pm Post subject: Re: Bus Snow Tires |
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I have run 195/65/R15's on my beetle using adapters and Porsche rims and they were a good fit the Rev's per mile were a tiny bit high. But on a bus these would not be a very good match I would get a van tire or something with better load rating. Not sure what the Rev's per mile is for a bus maybe around 812 or so?
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1960 Beetle And 1679cc DP W-100 & Dual Zeniths! |
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Randy in Maine
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Joined: August 03, 2003
Posts: 34890
Location: The Beach
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| Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2020 12:35 pm Post subject: Re: Bus Snow Tires |
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I am not a big fan of studded tires since they don't stop as fast on dry pavement. They also don't really help in snow as the real meat is in the sips on the tire for gripping in snow. They do however help on ice conditions.
You would probably be better off getting some Nokian snow tires in the 185R14 size (with the snowflake on them) as the tire compound is softer and they "stick" better on ice and snow. They don't last quite as long as a normal tires due to the softer tread compound, but they do work. |
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danfromsyr
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Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2020 1:34 pm Post subject: Re: Bus Snow Tires |
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there are load rated (LR95) 195/65/15 XLtires in the link I provided.
LR95 will be fine for a bay bus. the 195/65/15 is a tad small (noted higher speedo) but the width is better than a 205 for a bay in snow. though that's an opinion if you want to carve through the snow or float on top of the snow..
not that 10mm makes that much difference.
| Danwvw wrote: |
| I have run 195/65/R15's on my beetle using adapters and Porsche rims and they were a good fit the Rev's per mile were a tiny bit high. But on a bus these would not be a very good match I would get a van tire or something with better load rating. Not sure what the Rev's per mile is for a bus maybe around 812 or so? |
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danfromsyr
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Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2020 1:37 pm Post subject: Re: Bus Snow Tires |
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there are NO 185r14 nokian snow tires. so he won't be better off with those. they are no longer made.
edit: there are 185/70/14 XL Nokian Nordman these are close with a Load index of 92.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=185+70+14+nokian
I would probably run these for myself as winter tires. but not sure I'd recommend them for 'other people's families'
VW tire safety article
https://www.busdepot.com/details/tires
| Randy in Maine wrote: |
I am not a big fan of studded tires since they don't stop as fast on dry pavement. They also don't really help in snow as the real meat is in the sips on the tire for gripping in snow. They do however help on ice conditions.
You would probably be better off getting some Nokian snow tires in the 185R14 size (with the snowflake on them) as the tire compound is softer and they "stick" better on ice and snow. They don't last quite as long as a normal tires due to the softer tread compound, but they do work. |
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Wildthings
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danfromsyr
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Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2020 5:24 pm Post subject: Re: Bus Snow Tires |
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there are alot of "all season" tires you do not want to take to the ski slope.
more like Georgia "all season"
where you end up in the median when there's an inch of snow and you didn't heed the storm closure orders.
"all seasons" SMH the OP asked about a "Decent snow tire" |
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ImAddicted
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Joined: April 24, 2012
Posts: 1195
Location: Unorganized Territory, Maine
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| Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2020 9:24 am Post subject: Re: Bus Snow Tires |
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| Randy in Maine wrote: |
I am not a big fan of studded tires since they don't stop as fast on dry pavement. They also don't really help in snow as the real meat is in the sips on the tire for gripping in snow. They do however help on ice conditions.
You would probably be better off getting some Nokian snow tires in the 185R14 size (with the snowflake on them) as the tire compound is softer and they "stick" better on ice and snow. They don't last quite as long as a normal tires due to the softer tread compound, but they do work. |
Agreed. I think it depends on where you live and what type of winter weather you get, up north in Maine, we get ice from the lake effect about 50% of the time when a lot of the state gets snow. When I lived in the Great North Woods of NH, less ice, more snow thanks to Mt Wash. I have studs where I am now and wouldn't do without them, when I was in NH I found they weren't that helpful. Down by you on the coast, I would think the roads clear more often then they are covered. Spent 25 years in the Seacoast of NH (Dover area), one year I had studs was the only year I had issues with traction and that was on very cold, dry pavement.
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| Original condition, which means something different on this forum than anywhere else! |
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NASkeet
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Joined: April 29, 2006
Posts: 2958
Location: South Benfleet, Essex, UK
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| Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2020 6:17 am Post subject: Re: Bus Snow Tires |
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I think one needs to be a little wary of how one interprets load ratings & indeces; given that they are specified at an inflation pressure that is greater than that recommended for the 1968~79 VW 1600 & 17/18/2000 Type 2 Transporters.
One of my concerns about commercial-van tyres of any size (e.g. 185/80 R14C or 215/65 R16C), is that the recommended tyre inflation pressures for the 1968~79 VW Type 2, are significantly lower than the maximum inflation pressures marked on the tyres that correspond to the specified maximum load rating or load index.
Tire Tech: Euro-metric Commercial Vehicle Tires used on Global Platform Cargo/Passenger Vans
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=312
Tire Tech: How to Read Speed Rating, Load Index & Service Descriptions
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35
A few years ago, I salvaged some wheels & tyres as follows, to conduct some possible trials in the VW Type 2’s wheel arches and spare-wheel well
General Motors (UK) - Vauxhall Movano
https://www.vauxhall.co.uk/network-q-used-vehicles/vans/movano.html
Continental Vanco | 215/65 R16C | 106/104T 6PR on allegedly Vauxhall Movano wheel
« Load rating (single) – 950 kg @ 55 psi cold (i.e. 106 load index) »
« Load rating (dual) – 900 kg @ 55 psi cold (i.e. 104 load index) »
Michelin Agilis 81 | 215/65 R16C | 109/107R 8PR on allegedly Vauxhall Movano wheel
« Load rating (single) – 1030 kg @ 69 psi cold (i.e. 109 load index) »
« Load rating (dual) – 975 kg @ 69 psi cold (i.e. 107 load index) »
According to information at the following link, the load-index and maximum load-rating, are associated with the maximum specified inflation pressure for the tyre.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=194#maxload
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=194#maxinflation
« Each load range has an assigned air pressure identified in pounds per square inch (psi) at which the tire's maximum load is rated. Listed below are the air pressures at which maximum load is rated for popular P-metric and LT tires: »
« Additionally, while a tire's maximum load is the most weight the tire is designed to carry, its load carrying capacity at lower inflation pressures is proportional to how much inflation pressure is used. »
Hence, if one is following the vehicle-manufacturer’s tyre inflation-pressure recommendations, the tyres’ load-carrying capacity will effectively be less than that indicated by the load index on the sidewall of the tyres.
Using Volkswagen’s tyre inflation-pressure recommendations for the 1973 VW Type 2, as the datum for assessing the load-carrying capacities (need minimum of 505 kg @ 30 psi & 650 kg @ 37 psi) of the Continental & Michelin 215/65 R16C tyres I salvaged, I predict the following:
Continental Vanco | 215/65 R16C | 106/104T | 6PR
Load rating (single) @ 30 psi cold – 518 kg (i.e. 950 kg x 30 psi / 55 psi)
Load rating (single) @ 37 psi cold – 639 kg (i.e. 950 kg x 37 psi / 55 psi)
Load rating (single) @ 40 psi cold – 691 kg (i.e. 950 kg x 40 psi / 55 psi)
Load rating (single) @ 44 psi cold – 760 kg (i.e. 950 kg x 44 psi / 55 psi)
Michelin Agilis 81 | 215/65 R16C | 109/107R | 8PR
Load rating (single) @ 30 psi cold – 448 kg (i.e. 1030 kg x 30 psi / 69 psi)
Load rating (single) @ 37 psi cold – 552 kg (i.e. 1030 kg x 37 psi / 69 psi)
Load rating (single) @ 40 psi cold – 597 kg (i.e. 1030 kg x 40 psi / 69 psi)
Load rating (single) @ 44 psi cold – 657 kg (i.e. 1030 kg x 44 psi / 69 psi)
Thus it would appear that the Continental 6PR tyre having a 106 load index @ 55 psi is better suited than the Michelin 8PR tyre having a 109 load index @ 69 psi, when the tyres are inflated to air-pressures of only 30, 37, 40 or 44 psi, as recommended by Volkswagen for the 1973 VW Type 2.
In fact, it appears that the Michelin 215/65 R16C | 109/107R | 8PR tyre’s effective load rating, is actually inadequate for the 1973 VW Type 2’s front & rear axles! In order to just barely satisfy the minimum front & rear axle load requirements of 505 kg & 650 kg respectively, the front & rear tyre inflation-pressures would need to be 34 psi (i.e. 69 psi x 505 kg / 1030 kg) & 43˝ psi (i.e. 69 psi x 650 kg / 1030 kg) respectively.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with 65-series commercial-van tyres for 16 inch diameter wheels, note that 195/65 R16C, 205/65R16C, 215/65 R16C, 225/65 R16C & 235/65 R16C commercial-van tyres, have virtually been the de facto standard tyres, for medium to large sized vans in Great Britain for the past ten years or more. 65-series commercial-van tyres for 16 inch diameter wheels are also becoming more readily available.
https://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-finder/s=3/summer,winter,all-season/t=1/van/r=1/195-60-r16
https://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-finder/s=3/summer,winter,all-season/t=1/van/r=1/195-65-r16
https://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-finder/s=3/summer,winter,all-season/t=1/van/r=1/205-60-r16
https://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-finder/s=3/summer,winter,all-season/t=1/van/r=1/205-65-r16
https://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-finder/s=3/summer,winter,all-season/t=1/van/r=1/215-60-r16
https://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-finder/s=3/summer,winter,all-season/t=1/van/r=1/215-65-r16
https://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-finder/s=3/summer,winter,all-season/t=1/van/r=1/225-60-r16
https://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-finder/s=3/summer,winter,all-season/t=1/van/r=1/225-65-r16
https://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-finder/s=3/summer,winter,all-season/t=1/van/r=1/235-60-r16
https://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-finder/s=3/summer,winter,all-season/t=1/van/r=1/235-65-r16
Here are some 215/65 R16C commercial-van winter tyres, but as I've already stated, one would need to carefully interpolate the load ratings according to the appropriate inflation pressures for one's VW Type 2.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/383776699718?chn=ps&n...e5e4eea63f
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/215-65R16C-109-107R-ROT...%3A2334524
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/383764346716?chn=ps&n...4809529b73
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/383320097992?chn=ps&n...27b72fe863
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Regards.
Nigel A. Skeet
Independent tutor (semi-retired) of mathematics, physics, technology & engineering for secondary, tertiary, further & higher education.
Much modified, RHD 1973 VW "1600" Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan, with the World's only decent, cross-over-arm, SWF pantograph rear-window wiper
Onetime member, plus former Technical Editor & Editor of Transporter Talk magazine
Volkswagen Type 2 Owners' Club (Great Britain)
http://www.vwt2oc.net |
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