Dennis,

Way back you recommended the General Altimax 205/70-14 tire and I went
with that. got them on all my Tintops and they have performed
exceptionally well. With the demise of that tire - what would you now
redommend - if I stay with 14 inch rims? Not quite ready tow buy new 15
inch rims just yet - specially for three vans.

BTW - most of my driving is local and city driving - modestly loaded -
and on pavement. Ocassionally I't make a trip of a 100 miles or so.

Thanks,

John

On 12/26/2013 10:59 AM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> I have driven more older vehicles than you think. There are reasons I
> appreciate technology. I've driven Model T's, Model A's Ford V8 Phaeton,
> (1935), Older Buicks, Pierce Arrow's etc. I own a 1923 "Haynes" Model 57
> Sport touring, wooden wheels and the optional front brakes, all linkage
> operated and external contracting, (linings on the outside of the drums). I
> am more of a car enthusiast than just Vanagons.
>
> That Corvette really doesn't need power steering. It needs modern tires and
> suspension.  Think back when radial tires were considered no good!
>
> Except for the recent entry into luxury (SUVs and the Panamera) most Porsche
> owners are enthusiasts and wish to respected for that.
>
> As for my Fox I am not sorry at all. It is what it is! The perfect commuter
> car. I bought it back in 2004 from the original owner, an 88 year old woman.
> It still had three of the original tires on it and I took it home with
> 14,470 miles on it. I paid her $2,000. That car now has 145K on it. It gets
> a consistent 27-30 mpg even in Long Island traffic. The transmission is now
> noisy so it needs replacing.  Heck the AC still works.
>
> As for the tire sizes on your Volvo, the difference in diameter between a
> 185/65-15 and 195/60-15 is about 1/4 inch. I doubt you can feel that effect
> on gearing. As for a difference in ride quality most likely the choice of
> tire had more to do with that difference and the 3/8" difference I width
> didn't effect handling or traction much either.
>
> Bigger tires are not always better. I agree! However tire technology has
> changed and newer performance tires offer many advantages over the original
> truck/trailer tires used. There are very few vehicles offered today that
> ride on 185 width tires and non that can weight over 5,000 pounds. Even the
> last of the Eurovans came equipped with 225/60-16XL. It is more that
> coincidence that this or the 225/55-17XL is the size I most recommend. For
> the Syncros were owners want taller the choices can be 215/65-16, (can be
> made to fir in the tire carrier), 235/60-16. Or 235/55-17. Currently I'm
> running that last choice on Fun Bus with Nokian WR-G2s. No turning back for
> me.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Scott Daniel
> Sent: Wednesday, December 25, 2013 11:01 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Tire observation
>
> lol..
> you should drive a 59 Corvette then.
> I took care of one for an older couple for a number of years.
> 'the very worst' steering you could imagine..
> high effort , vague etc.
> That retro-fit 'add on' electric PS system from the UK  I mentioned in
> another post would probably help.
>
>
> you did write 'last breed of vehicle' ..
> you didn't say non-sports or massively abundant production numbers , you
> said 'vehicle' and that's a huge generalization I think is worth objecting
> to, as  readers with less car overview might believe it like it's gospal.
>
> I'm sure thouasands of Porsche owners would object to being classified 'a
> limited few purists.'
>
> tell me ..what car has been in continuous production and development longer
> than any other car model or type on the planet ?
> ( not to mention countless racing victories...endless variations of the
> type...even customer dedicated track versions )
>
> The Porsche 911 ..first appeared in 1963 I think . Didn't they just celibate
> the 50th Anniversary of the 911 ?
> They did actually.
> that hardly qualifies as 'a few limited purists.'
>
> you have an 88  Fox ? ...I am so sorry !!    lol :-)
>
> I'll put my 88 up against it any time.
> Inga is a 740 volvo turbo sedan of that year, a true factory hot rod /
> performance special version.
>
> Oh .............AND Inga is far happier,  and much less too-tall-geared,
> and more nimble handling in every way with the Studdless Winter Blizzacsk I
> got for her in winter, size 185/65 R 15 ...than she is with the 195/60 R15 H
> rated tires that are stock.
>
> the car sucks with 195/60 R 15 tires on ..too harsh, and silly high geared.
> Might be all right for going 100 mph ..but for 65 to 75ish mph range they
> suck. l the smaller ones though, without such a high speed rating....much
> better gearing, and far more nimble handling.
> Night and day difference.
> The winter tires are just great. Better ride, everything is better.
>
> I know bigger tires are attractive and fun ..and I've done it too, and they
> can help in some ways sometimes.
> Bigger is not always better though.
>
> Bigger tires in rain hydrplane easier ..with more surface area they want to
> ski on top of the water more easily.
>
> A narrow tire with smaller footprint  ( but same weight on it ) would resist
> hydroplanning better than a larger tire with a bigger footprint, generally
> speaking.
>
> if you want your car to ski on top of puddles on road surfaces ..which still
> happens sometime..
> put on bigger tires with a larger contact area.
>
> and hey...it'll steer easier too !  ( with the smaller tires ..less tendency
> to ski on top of water, easier steering ..sounds good to me ! )
>
> I don't know man.
> S.
>
>
>
>
> On 12/25/2013 5:35 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>> Let's not compare a "purpose" built vehicle destined for a limited few
>> purists to main stream market vehicles. There are folks that still
>> pull all the accessories out of sports cars including Camaros and
>> Mustangs. I have an
>> 88 fox and anyone who drives it complains about the lack of power
>> steering when the have to park it. Yes my fault for upgrading the
>> tires from
>> 155/80-13 to 185/60-14. However no way will I go back to the original
>> size for highway use especially in wet weather. My wife and I have use
>> the "Armstrong" power steering system.
>>
>>
>>
>> Dennis
>>
>>
>>
>> From: Scott Daniel [mailto:scottdaniel@turbovans.com]
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 25, 2013 6:41 PM
>> To: Dennis Haynes; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Re: Tire observation
>>
>>
>>
>> How long did the Porsche 911 go in production before they finally put
>> on power steering ?
>>
>> it's easy to search.
>>
>> from Wikipedia .
>>
>> The first 964s available in 1989  ..................
>> Power steering and ABS
>> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-lock_braking_system>  brakes were
>> added to the 911 for the first time; both were standard.
>>
>> The 911 did without PS uo to  89.
>> The majority of Vanagons had power steering by 1985.
>>
>> Vanagons "amongst the last breed' ...sure, as fair statement.
>>
>> if you keep the original type tires on a non-PS vanagon ..
>> which can be tallish 14 inchers...they'll do pretty wellout the PS.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 12/25/2013 11:46 AM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>>
>> In general a low traction-rolling resistance tire will also require
>> less steering effort. The two attributes do work together. There are
>> exceptions especially with the change to higher performance low
>> profile tires. Here they can increase traction and handling and also
> reduce rolling resistance.
>> However wider tires can still increase steering effort.  The Vanagon
>> is probably amongst the last breed of vehicle available without power
> steering.
>>
>>
>> Dennis
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
>> Behalf Of Don Hanson
>> Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 1:05 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Subject: Tire observation
>>
>> I recently swapped my 14" tires.  I put my older Nokian Hakkapelitta C
>> mud and snow on the front, replacing Hankook RAO 8s that were even
>> more worn than the hakkas.  This greatly increased the effort to steer
>> at parking speeds.  I have no power steering.  I have decent arm
>> strength, but I now find it quite a chore to turn the wheels without
>> any movement of the van, where with the RAO 8s, it was much easier.  I
>> have about 43psi (dunno how many Barrs that is) in the tires.  Once
>> rolling and at higher speeds, the Hakkas steer and track just fine.
>>
>