Hi tony and others,

        My lack of knowledge about tires is becoming more clear to me as this thread continues.

        I wanted the extra rim in case I need to keep my spare as a 185 R 14 to fit in my clam Shell.  I baught 5 new tires thinking I could rotate them easier by putting the spare into the rotation. I also bought the 5th tire thinking that if the general ultimax became hard to find I might be in trouble if one of my four was damaged and I could not get a replacement.  I thought of it as a little insurance.  It would be easiest to just let my 9 year old tires go completely but not if I can't fit one of the new ones as a spare.
So, I thought i would need a extra rim if I keep the old 185 r 14 as a spare and rotate my other 5 on a regular bases.

It sounds like my rotation idea may be a bust.

More info on this would be appreciated. 
Also,Max,  I read on a earlier post that the smaller hoses may still be available from van cafe but I wanted to get as much info from the list before calling them for my next order.

Eric Caron 
85 GL Auto 

On Jan 9, 2014, at 9:32 PM, TonyCollin <tonycollin@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Max 
> 
> You may be surprised how much bigger they are? Is that what you meant?
> 
> Eric why so you need another steel wheel? Do you not have a steel wheel on the spare already? If so I would have you best from your old tires mounted as a spare. 
> 
> I think that the generals altimax rt are directional meaning only front to back rotation can occur on either side. Or may I'm confused about that. 
> 
> T. 
> 
> On Jan 9, 2014, at 9:20 PM, Max Wellhouse <dimwittedmoose@CFU.NET> wrote:
> 
>> On 1/9/2014 4:21 PM, Eric Caron wrote:
>> 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
> The last time I checked, VW didn't make the "standard" coolant hoses for
> the small spare tire up front any more.  Only the larger hoses were
> available and that was several years ago.   I'd check the diameter of th
> e205 vs. the 185, you might be surprised.....
> 
> DM&FS