Change your email settings to put your replies on top. Makes it easier for
most of us.
48 psi up front is much more than needed for a tire that size. I would try
38 to 40 front and 48 rear. Get the tire-load inflation table from
Continental and use that as a guide using the max axle weight.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Max Wellhouse [mailto:dimwittedmoose@cfu.net]
Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2013 11:15 PM
To: Dennis Haynes
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 1986 Westfalia with 16" tires

On 9/28/2013 9:44 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> So what pressure are you running them at? Maybe too much for the load.
> That tire offers little for ride or handling. Basic straight line down
> highway tire. That tire is also much taller than the 215-60. The
> 225-60 will be shorter and wider eliminating the rub.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of Max Wellhouse
> Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2013 9:34 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: 1986 Westfalia with 16" tires
>
> On 9/28/2013 6:20 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>> That size tire is only slightly taller-wider than stock. Should not
>> be an issue at all if the wheel offset is acceptable. You do need to
>> be aware of the load capacity. There are very few tires in this size
>> with the
> XL rating.
>> A standard tire in this size has a load index of only 95, (1,521 lbs.).
>> After de-rating for light truck this is a marginal fitment. The XL
>> rating in this size gets you to a 99 load index, (1,709 lbs.).
>> Hopefully when they installed the lower springs they also changed the
>> bump stops at the top of the shocks. If not you may not have
>> sufficient suspension travel for rough roads. Maintaining caster and
> camber alignment sometimes becomes an issue.
>> Next tire change consider the 225/60-16. That slight change ups the
>> load rating considerably and gets you onto a common tire size
>> including a lot of XL offerings.
>>
>> Dennis
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
>> Behalf Of Alain Thibault
>> Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2013 6:54 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: 1986 Westfalia with 16" tires
>>
>> Allo
>> The van that I am looking to buy ( (1986 Vanagon westy) comes with
>> 215-60-16 tires. Looks pretty cool... The van has been lowered with
>> shorter springs from Van Cafe and adjustable Koni shocks were
>> installed. The owner says that with the combination of shorter
>> springs and Koni shocks the highway handling has improved
>> dramatically and keeping up with traffic through the corners is no
>> problem and brake dive is almost nonexistent. I am wondering however
>> if there would be any rubbing issues with such a setting...he says no
>> but I have doubts as I have never seen 16" tires on a Vanagon...what
would you guys say?
>> Thanks
>> Alain
>>
>> Sent from my iPad 2
> My Mercedes Wheels(98-02 CLK Alloys) and 215/65/16 Continental Vanco
> II's do fine if you lke riding in a lumber truck.  Had to add longer
> front studs but the backs were fine.  If I have the van totally loaded
> with all my flea market tool sale stuff, the van will ride low enough
> that tire rub is an issue on a hard bump during a turn or climbing up,
> but with that much weight, it rides much better wit htose mega load
> tires.  They're like 108's for load rating, but the regular Vanco tire is
borderline on the load cap.
> Just put a hole in one of the side walls last week.  Tire Rack is
> getting
> 156 bucks for a new one plus $26 to ship it.  Really need to decide
> what my next set of tires will be pretty soon......
>
>
> YMMV
>
> DM&FS
48PSI front and back