I'll second this notion....

When I went to 15" wheels and the 225-15-70 tires there was a marked difference in
stability during windy weather.

Anthony
'89 Syncro GL (Hidalgo)

________________________________
 From: Robert Stevens <mtbiker62@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
Sent: Sunday, May 12, 2013 10:15 PM
Subject: Re: driving in gusty winds...
 

On May 12, 2013, at 8:08 PM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

I always seem to have my hands full driving my
van in the Gorge, even though I have been completely through all the
suspension, steering, tires etc.,�  When you are rolling along at 65 into a
60mph gust, then it hits you from the side....then stops, then from the
other side, etc etc....all the way along with high cliffs and through the
various side canyons....a tall profile and relatively short wheel base
vehicle like our vans....they 'feel' the wind....

Put 15" to 17" rims/wheels on your van with good vanagon-worthy
truck tires, and you will notice a HUGE improvement in this. It's not
possible to describe the difference. The driving experience with larger
rims, despite not larger overall diameter of wheels, is completely
different from stock.

bob