Tire questions

[coolbugfan]

Hi Sambas,

Just got a new '79 Bay Campmobile! Very excited.

It will need some recommissioning. Today's question is tires. The tires on it are too old to really be used. I found the Owner's Manual here on the Samba and stock tires are either 185 R14 C 6 PR or 185 SR 14 Reinforced. That really puzzled the local tire store! (Kal tire)

So, what size tire does it take in modern sizing? I know buses take a stronger tire than a car would, so what load capacity should I be looking for?

Does anyone have a brand/model that they recommend for Camper buses?

Much thanks and apologies if this has been asked before.

Thanks in advance.

[aeromech]

Hankook RA18 Vantra in 185r14 or 195r14. I run the 195’s myself. There are other choices as you’ll soon see. The important point is you need a stiff sidewall which basically means you need a light truck (LT) tire instead of a passenger tire which starts with a (P). Huge difference in the ride

Hankook Vantra LT (RA18) all_ Season Radial Tire-195/R14 115T https://a.co/d/hB5aZQE
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[aeromech]

Lots of times my customers opt to have their wheels powder coated when they switch tires. Cost is about $200. Mounting and balance is about $70. Removing old tires prior to powder coating is about $20
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[Wildthings]

You don't state what your intended use is. I for years ran P215/70r14's and now run 27x8.5R14's. I have never been particularly thrilled with the traction offered by most 185r14's

[coolbugfan]

Good point Wildthings! My plan will involve wild camping. I’m not off-roading, but I would expect muddy campgrounds and lots of poor gravel roads. Traction needs to be good, but I need a size that fits at standard ride height and doesn’t involve cutting fenders or a narrowed beam. Thx

[richparker]

From the tire sticky:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9966961&highlight=#9966961
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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[coolbugfan]

Richparker - thank you for the link. It looks like a good read. Much appreciated.

cip1 recommends https://www.cip1.ca/acc-c20-6645-nkg/. Thoughts?

Thanks

[a-marshal]

I recently changed to Continental Vanco 185 R14 from a Hankook 195 ?? R14 and am extremely happy with the change.

I had a huge problem finding the tires since none of the retailers inventory systems could handle ordering a tire without specifying the width. Finally found a guy that was willing to learn something new and ordered 5...

(check your spare, when I bought my van the spare was already over 20 years old and I drove it for 12 years before I thought to check)
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-Ob. vehicle info....
1973 Westy w/ '74 1.8 liter / PDSI (type3?) carbs / 009 distributor / pertronix

[coolbugfan]

Good point. Fortunately, the spare is on the front, so it’s east to remember. Already thought that if the regular 4 are too old, the spare must be at least as bad. Thanks

[germansupplyscott]

I think the OP is in Canada? (Kal Tire)

The VancoFourSeason is more than likely the best tire you can buy for your Bus that's actually available in Canada through normal retail channels. It's also one of the better tires available in 185R14, period. The Nankang is an economy-level tire.
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SL

[pittwagen]

I bought the Vanco Four Season for my 79 bus about 18 months ago. So far so good. The sidewalls do not appear to be as stiff as my Hercules M+S tires nor the Vanco 2's I had on it previously. Definitely more lean going around corners, especially in roundabouts. Quiet and decent in the wet.

Don't know where you live but around here there is not much available in a winter/mud and snow tire. Can't get the Hercules anymore. May be a Continental Van Contact snow tire in the 185R14 as well as a Westlake. Both seem to have a fairly tight tread so maybe not so hot on the back roads. The Hercules I have do ok on dirt/gravel roads as well as the snow and ice.

[coolbugfan]

Thank you for all the suggestions and the tire thread link. I was hoping for an 'all season' even though I do not plan on snow driving. The VancoFourSeason sound like the best recommendation and a quick google shows them slightly cheaper than the Nankings for a better tire. Much thanks. Once the van is reliably mobile, I'll know what to get. THANK YOU SAMBAS!