The 205/70-14 tire was never all that popular a size. Many Mercedes vehicles
used it but not with the XL requirement. Obsolete it is becoming. That
Altimax was a surprising good all-purpose replacement for the original
Michelin MXL in that size. If wishing to stay with that size stock your next
set now.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Richard A Jones
Sent: Wednesday, December 25, 2013 11:07 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Tire observation

> What helps the most in my experience with non-PS Vanagons is front
> tires with tall new tread.
> when the Wildcat 195/75 R14 LT was available..
> and I still have a few with lots of tread..they steer quite nicely
> without PS.

I went from stock tires (185R14) to General Altimax RT 205/70-14 on my
'81 air-cooled Vanagon with no PS.  Just that little extra width of tire is
noticeable when parking.  But I love those tires in every other respect.
However, as most things stock Vanagon, I see they are "closeout" at the
Tirerack and the Altimas RT43 doesn't have that size....

Richard