He was talking about 27.8" tires making a dog out of his van, not the 27x8.5 which is an inch shorter than that.� The 27x8.5 is about as big as I would go on a 2wd with a stock engine.
�
In any case, the 27x8.5 tire is almost a dynosaur with only the General Grabber left in that size.� Sears sells a mastercraft in tht size but it is like $220ea, so who is buying those.
�
The 225/70-14 is the same size as the� 27x8.5, exact revs/mile, and is readily available. It carries a higher max load at a lower inflation pressure but can go up to 44psi�in certain brands.� It does not have reinforced sidewalls, but is wide enough to be stable�in my experience.� I drove on 2 sets of them and wore out the Bridestone Duelers in that size (which they don't make anymore- bummer).� I prefer those tires�over a C load tire in 27x8.5 because it is a more comfy ride.� But if you like an agressive tread the grabber is nice.
�
Dave

--- On Fri, 3/16/12, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM> wrote:

From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Tire size
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Friday, March 16, 2012, 1:53 PM

re that 'turned my 2.1 into a dog on any mild grade.'...

I like larger rear tires in 2WD ...
I can't say I've actually run a 27 X 8.50 with a 2WD 2.1 vanagon ..
but I run a 215/65 R15 in two of my 2WD vanagons...

I measure the unloaded diameter at 26 inches..
and in either my 87 Wolfsburg running a 1.9 wbxr on Digifant EFI,
or my 85 Adventurewagon running a 2.1 on Dijiget EFI ..
both of those vans do just fine on any mild grade.

I do spend hours getting them to run as perfectly as they can though,
for what they are.

I know a guy with a 2.1 wbxr syncro 7 passenger ..
runs 27 X 8.50's all around...
and they 'look' very just right for a 14 ...he seems happy with his power.

YMMV as they say !

On 3/16/2012 12:41 AM, Bob Stevens wrote:
> On Thu, Mar 15, 2012 at 10:25 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans<
> scottdaniel@turbovans.com>� wrote:
>
>> "27.8" diameter"
>> sounds suspiciously like� to the tire size 27 X 8.50 R14 LT ..
>> which is a GREAT� 14 inch vanagon tire size.
>>
> Actually, that tire size is 26.8" diameter, which my 2.1 handled OK, but
> not the 27.8
> Michelin's I had later. Turned the van into a dog on any mild grades,
> especially
> with any wind.
>
> bob
>