Actually, unless you are going to a larger overall diameter tire, a 15
or 16 inch makes the available selections even worse. The major
attributes of a tire that sets the capacity is overall diameter and the
volume/pressure combination of air. As the rim size increases, the
capacity for a tire of a given outside diameter and width decreases.
This can only get offset by increased air pressure. 215/70-14 is a
readily available size and it's capacity is extremely close to the so
called reinforced 205-70 the VW placed on the alloy wheels. It traveled
to Alaska and drove the haul road with 215-70-14 Bridgestone Potenzas
back in 1993. The rear tires had most of the tread wear off but no
flats.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of John Reddick
Sent: Monday, October 31, 2005 10:18 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Wheels/tires for travel

Avoiding the whole tire issue, Gowesty makes a great point about wheel
size in their write-ups.  I have had real world experience/buffoonery
with
exacly what they said.
    Driving south on the Haul Road in Alaska in my 14" MXT shod Westy,
on
rock completely destroyed both tires on one side of the van.  I had one
spare. I limped into Fairbanks in search of proper tires.  Their was a
VW
Rialta RV with the same problem.  I called/checked every tire shop in
Alaska for proper tires.  No joy.  If I had been on 15 or 16 inch wheels
I
could have purchased properly rated light truck tires at any local shop.
    If you need new tires anyway, a wheel upgrade makes a huge
improvement
in performance and you ability to source proper tires locally, as well
as
your choice of tires.  If you plan to adventure far and wide in you van,
I
would definely think about this.  It ruined the last couple weeks of my
road-trip-of-a-lifetime.

John