Hi Denis and others,

        I've been watching this thread carefully,  I purchased 5 General Ultimax 205/70/14 tires but have not mounted them yet.  If i'm reading the thread correctly my 85 Westfalia with steel wheels will not be able to carry the 205/70/14 in the spare area.  
        Am I understanding correctly that I basically have the option of purchasing a different clam shell and coolant hoses from Van Cafe, or keeping one of my 9 year old 185 tires as a spare?

Do I have to both get a new clam shel and new hoses or just one or the other?

is it really ok to run the 185 as a spare with the three 205 tires?

Any one know where I can get a respectable 14 inch rim as If I keep the 185 as a spare I'll need a extra rim.

Thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Eric Caron 
85 GL Auto 

On Jan 9, 2014, at 1:30 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Since it is a 2wd you really can get by with a different sized spare. The
> 215/75 gets you close to 28" diameter. Potential for front tire rub and
> definitely brake upgrade consideration. The 215 width is about the limit for
> the spare carrier even after the late tray, no hold downs. For highway
> travel a 225/60-16 (~26.5") would be a much better choice with a 195/80-14
> spare.
> 
> Dennis
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> ralph meyermann
> Sent: Sunday, January 5, 2014 1:38 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Clam shell question
> 
> Hi Volks! I am making the step to 15" wheels. My size decision is between
> 205/75/15 or 215/75/15 depending on the ability to still fit in clamshell
> without modification or just minor modification. Will the 215 fit? Thanks!!
> Velma 82 1.9L AAZ td westy