Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 13:35:26 -0700
Reply-To: Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Two failed tires... :-(
In-Reply-To: <BAY132-DS15C5C29192571BF35C9613A0BE0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Thanks for the info Dennis. There is a deal on this size BFG ATs right now,
otherwise I'd probably go with 15". I've been running 27x8.5R14 for a few
years with no problems (even with a stock 1.6D for a while), and these are
only 5% larger (743 revs/mile vs 782 for the 14" I have) so I think I'll be
ok. Clearance is a bigger concern, but I have some 6mm spacers and will buy
longer lug bolts just in case. At least I'll have an easier time finding
tires in the future, and gearing will be better for an eventual TDI implant.
On Sun, Jul 18, 2010 at 8:49 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>wrote:
> The 215/70-16 is a big tire pushing 28". This is going to really impact
> acceleration and braking. They can push the engine rpm down low enough to
> really put it under strain and gas mileage can actually plummet. The 215/65
> will work just fine even for off road travel. This sized was used on a
> number of Range Rovers over the years. There are all terrain versions of
> this tire available.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Shawn Wright
> Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2010 8:24 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Two failed tires... :-(
>
> I agree, the 65R/16s look nice, but with the amount of rough roads I drive,
> I worry about the lower aspect ratio. BFGs in the 16" size are cheap right
> now, so that is also a factor. I just need to decide on the right wheel.
> The
> ASA wheel sold by GW and Tirerack is a known fit, but there are several
> others that are $30-40 less per wheel. Just not sure of the front 2WD hub
> will fit them. The wheels are spec'd for a 66mm Mercedes hub, but I'm
> guessing the merc hubs are much shorted than a Vanagon 2wd front hub.
>
> On Sat, Jul 17, 2010 at 5:11 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
> scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
>
> > sounds like you're on the right track.
> > only question is 15's or 16's ..
> > and finding a wheel that fits reasonably properly.
> >
> > maybe you want 'big tires' .
> > I find the 215/70 R 16 somewhat 'large and wide' myself.
> >
> > I saw some 215/65 R 16's on a van and though they looked really 'just
> > right.'
> >
> > I'm quite partial to that 65 aspect ratio ..
> > not too tall/skinny, not too wide/low.
> >
> > Scott
> > www.turbovans.com
> > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shawn Wright" <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM>
> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2010 4:42 PM
> > Subject: Two failed tires... :-(
> >
> >
> >
> > Last week I found a bad gash in one of my Yokohama 370s up front, so I
> >> planned to swap my BFG ATs from rear to front and put my Conti spares on
> >> the
> >> rear. I figured this would be a good chance to try the BFGs on the
> front,
> >> as
> >> I've never tried them (I only have 2). I was shocked to find a horrible
> >> bulge about 1" diameter in the tread of a BFG, where a previous patch
> was
> >> made (a proper inside patch done at Kal Tire). It is so bulged that the
> >> steel belts are showing and worn through, exposing the layer beneath.
> Ack.
> >>
> >> So that makes 2 bad tires in 2 weeks, meaning I am definitely looking at
> a
> >> full set, probably with new 15 or 16" wheels.
> >>
> >> I'm currently reading this thread:
> >> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=203519
> >>
> >> trying to glean as much info as possible on wheel options. I hadn't
> >> planned
> >> on this now, but it seems I have no choice.
> >>
> >> I was able to return the EV 15" wheels I bought as they were not a good
> >> fit
> >> (ET55), so I'm shopping for options. I'm considering 16x7 ET35 wheels
> from
> >> tirerack (same as GoWesty sells) with BFG AT 215/70R16.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Shawn Wright
> >>
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> Shawn Wright
>
>
--
Shawn Wright
| 
