Dennis,

All this tire and pressures talk prompts me to again ask if you would
confirm your best recommendation of pressures for the Tin-tops running
the General Altimax RTs in a 205/70-14. I know mine at factory
recommended weaves like a snake crossing the road, but tracks true at
higher pressures.

Thanks,

John R

On 1/10/2013 8:50 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> While this size tire is LT rated there are a few things that should be
> considered for use on the Vanagon. Heavy construction is not always the best
> solution to load carrying capacity as the extra material also causes
> additional heating and at highway speeds it is really the heating from
> flexing and turning that limit a tires capacity and causes load (heat
> related failures.
>   The load index of this tire is only 95. The OEM 205/70-14 was 97, the
> General Altimax in this size is 98. A standard 215/70-14 is 96. The maximum
> carrying capacity of this tire is 1,520 pounds @ 50 psi. The Syncro rear
> axle rating 3042 and front is 2866. So you are really right at the limit and
> the front has to be at nearly the same inflation pressure as the rear to
> carry that load. Passenger car tires including the XL versions actually
> reach tier full rated capacity at 32 or 35 psi and the ability to be
> inflated to 44 psi is to accommodate handling and rolling resistance
> requirements.  This is why VW used 36 psi as the recommended pressure for
> the front tires on the 205/70-14XL equipped vans.
>
> So if we go to a 215/70-14 that tire is rated 1554@36 psi but better ones
> can be inflated to 44 psi. They may also be available in higher speed
> ratings. (This size is also disappearing). Still marginal especially if you
> consider the de-rate.
>
> This size-style (floatation) of tire is really best suited for some off road
> deep snow, mud gravel operation. Strong designs to resist punctures. The
> open tread does actually leave less rubber on the road although that can
> make for some great aquaplaning resistance. However there is a difference
> between aquaplaning ( tire floats) and simple skidding/sliding on the wet
> surface. While great to get you moving in snow nothing like a winter
> performance tire to help you stop and steer in light snow and surface
> ice/water.
>
> Being around Syncros I promoted these tires in the early days. Many folks
> that used them for long highway trips ultimately had issues with them. Worst
> was inside delamination of the liner. Unknown until you start seeing bubbles
> on the outside.
>
> Considering the big engine at some point a tire/wheel upgrade is in order.
> Then you have the opportunity to upgrade at least the front brakes. If you
> want the tall but reasonable look consider 215/65-16. With some work you can
> get that into the spare tire tray. A 235/60-16 is the same diameter. I am
> going with 235/55-17X on mine. And using some thinner same diameter tire as
> a spare or a rear tire carrier or better yet a drive shaft de-coupler. All
> of these sizes are readily available even in XL versions.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Scott Daniel - Turbovans
> Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2013 3:48 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Tire search
>
> Hi Dick,
> if you guy a brand new identical Bridgestone ..
> it will be close enough.
>    you are actually suppossed to rotate 5 tires on a regular basis so you
> have 5 indentical tires if you get a flat.
> 11K miles is not that much.
> I'd buy a brand new one, and identical tire by brand, size, and model..
> and run it on the right rear for a while.
> The after say 1OK, rotate it to the right front ...and rotate the other ones
> in whatever 5 tire rotation system you are using.
>
> fyi ..serious hard core syncro owners sometimes get 6 new tires, and rotate
> 6 ..
> so if they have a total failure of one tire, say to a serious rock pumcture,
> they still have 5 identical tires.
>
> You may have seen I highly approve of that size and load rating for a 14
> inch tire, if it's an LT or C load rating tire, also called 6PR.
>
> 'scuze me for not reading further.
> If you can't get that exact tire, then it looks like you are down to finding
> a tire, new or used, or exactly the same diameter, more or less, then rotate
> the 4 you are running now.
>
> a factor to consider is if whatever spare you get will fit the spare tire
> carrier ..
> 27 X 8.50 R14 is a tight fit I think.
>    There are aftermarket 'deeper' spare tire carriers ., but I have yet to
> see one that protects the side of the spare tire like stock clamshell one
> does, which makes no sense to me.
>
> scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
> On 1/10/2013 12:16 AM, Dick Wong wrote:
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I am looking for 1 tire to use as a spare for my GL Syncro.  I have 4
>> Bridgestone Dueler A/T 693, 27x8.50-14 on the 4 corners now.  They
>> only have about 11K miles on them, per the PO and I tend to believe
>> him since they have a lot of meat left on them.  I don't plan to buy
>> new tires, but the spare is a Dayton SR, 205/70R14 M+S. The
>> speedometer is dead on and I like the ride with the Bridgestones.
>>
>> Does anyone have one of these Bridgestone tires laying around that I
>> could buy?  I don't really care if they are worn as long as they are
>> still legal since it will only be used as a spare.  The model was
>> succeeded by the 693II and then the 695.  I will even settle for the
>> same size of a different brand tire.  I am in Foster City , CA and
>> will come pick up in the greater bay area.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> -Dick Wong-
>> 78 Scirocco
>> Original Owner
>> 87 Syncro 2.5 (slightly crispy)
>> Third Owner
>> 12 Golf TDI
>> Original Co-Owner
>>
>