In my Alaska Days I drove the Alaska Highway many times. On one trip I
blew out five tires - all due to a rocks through the sidewall. The
highway is paved now with a few open spots during construction and
repair, but there are still rock hazards. You definitely want that tall
stiff sidewall truck tire for the van. Right now I'm running a car tire
but one which is designed for very heavy vehicles. But I'm running on
paved roads exclusively so have no problems with it. But for any rough
roads - be they paved or  with loose gravel topping or unpaved, you
definitely need a tire with the tall, stiff sidewall. It's no fun to get
a rock through a sidewall at 60 mph.  Scary as hell, in fact, especially
if you are on less than a stellar road surface and there a wind or
turbulence from a truck just passed.

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com

On 5/22/2010 8:37 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> Just so you understand shorter sidewalls reduce rated carry capacity and
> drastically increase wheel damage due to road impacts. Now since you also
> want a larger diameter tire a larger wheel will help. Do keep in mind that a
> larger diameter tire will reduce acceleration and braking ability. I would
> consider a 215-65-16 tire. This will increase the diameter from the stock
> 25.5" to 27 inch. No fit or rubbing problems. Standard load rating for this
> size is 98 with 102 for XL or reinforced versions. A 225/60 will be about
> 26.5" and slightly wider.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Robert Downes
> Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2010 8:28 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Vanagon wheels in Alaska?
>
> Basically this. with the turbodiesel, i can tell i could get more speed out
> of 5 gear, and i'm not ready to mess with my gearing so a larger diameter
> wheel is desirable. also, i am a traveler and live out of the van
> off-and-on, so i pretty much always have it somewhat loaded. the extra
> weight really begs the shorter sidewall. not to mention the wider range of
> available tires.
>
> -bob
>
> On Sat, May 22, 2010 at 7:06 PM, Dennis Haynes<d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
>   wrote:
>
>
>> What are your goals for the 16" wheels? Since funds are tight and you are
>> running the Diesel why not jest invest in a good set of 195/80-14 and go
>> with that?
>>
>> Dennis
>>
>>
> On Sat, May 22, 2010 at 7:40 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans<
> scottdaniel@turbovans.com>  wrote:
>
>
>> I would always encourage moving away from 14 inch tires and wheels on a
>> vanagon.
>>
>> almost any 14 inch tire is going to have more of a 'boaty feeling and
>> handling feel than a good 15 or 16.
>> You just can't 'get there' running a 14 inch wheel and tire..
>> not to the stability you can get to with 15's or 16's.
>>
>> a bit more diameter helps too, gearing wise..and the shorter sidewalls of
>> the larger wheels add handling stability.
>>
>> Scott
>> www.turbovans.com
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Dennis Haynes"<d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
>> To:<vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2010 4:06 PM
>> Subject: Re: Vanagon wheels in Alaska?
>>
>>
>>   What are your goals for the 16" wheels? Since funds are tight and you are
>>
>>> running the Diesel why not jest invest in a good set of 195/80-14 and go
>>> with that?
>>>
>>> Dennis
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
>>> Of
>>> Robert Downes
>>> Sent: Friday, May 21, 2010 3:13 PM
>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>> Subject: vanagon wheels in Alaska?
>>>
>>> Hello there, list! this is my first message to what appears to be a fine
>>> community. sorry if i'm long-winded, thanks for being here.
>>>
>>> After acquiring my first VW last year, a 1983 Vanagon L diesel, i made
>>>
> the
>
>>> trip from florida to alaska this spring for a summer job on a hodge-podge
>>> of
>>> ill-suited but free tires and stock 14" rims and arrived confident in my
>>> suspension/brake overhaul and all the work i've put into the transplanted
>>> Quantum 1.6l TD, but acutely aware of the need for better wheels/tires.
>>>
> so
>
>>> i'm weighing my options for a new set of shoes before i make the trek
>>>
> back
>
>>> south this fall.
>>>
>>> i am very interested in a set of larger steel wheels (new alloys are
>>> slightly out of my price range) but i am having trouble talking myself
>>> into
>>> the cost of shipping them up here. SO, my question is this: anybody know
>>> of
>>> a source for wheels in alaska? the options i'm considering are buying a
>>> set
>>> of these
>>> 16"-ers<
>>> http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1263_341/16_inch_steel_wheel.h
>>> tml>
>>> and
>>> getting someone from a rideshare to cart them up for me; and getting new
>>> rubber for the 14s and trying to re-sell it, probably on this list, when
>>>
> i
>
>>> get down to cali. one blessing is that nokian tires are readily available
>>> up
>>> here. so, if there's anyone interested in pre-ordering 4 nice tires,
>>> mounted
>>> and balanced on stock 14" rims with about 4000 miles of wear, available
>>> october-ish, i'd love to hear from you too.
>>>
>>> i know the whole tires/wheels issue is pretty overworked on here but i
>>> thought my own spin on an old favorite would be a good way to introduce
>>> myself. i really appreciate any advice you guys have for me.
>>>
>>> enjoy your weekend! and, seriously, THANK you for participating in this
>>> community.
>>> -bob
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>