I would run the bfg all terrain t/a but they dont offer 205/75/15 only the
215/75/15. The other decision on that tire size is for gearing. My dk seems
to be a bit tall gearing to be pulling my little boat and with the
conversion chart my diesel ratio with those tires is a happy medium between
the two. Im receiving a timing adjustment kit next week to verify I have
the correct timing and not loosing power due to being off. After that will
be my final decision on tire size and ratios of transaxle. I will look into
the 205/60/15XL for an option. Thanks!

Velma 82 1.9L AAZ td westy
On Jan 14, 2014 11:22 PM, "Richard Duvernay" <richard.duvernay@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:

> For the past year plus I've been running General Altimax RT 215 70 R15
>  and I have been very happy with the ride, handling and wear.  For the time
> being, that tire can be delivered through online ordering to any Walmart.
>  I tried to modify the clam shell to accommodate an equivalent spare, with
> no success.  Bought the  Van Cafe oversize bracket and minus some air
> pressure in the spare, it fits fine there and I am happy with that
> situation, and  a small DC powered air pump under the rear bench seat just
> in case I need to inflate.
>
> ________________________________
>  From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 5:38 PM
> Subject: Re: Clam shell question
>
>
> Just a few notes on that tire.
> At that size the load index is still only 97. It really is adequate but not
> a huge reserve. It is a tall tire at almost 27 inches. Braking will be
> affected. In the event of a tire failure you will also have a large wheel
> drop due to the tire size. This causes an incredible upset if the failure
> occurs up front.
> While the tread looks open this is an "all terrain" tire. It is not a
> winter
> tire and while OK on deep powder snow it is not great in shallow mush or
> anything icy. Honestly this tire sucks in rain and as it wears it can
> become
> somewhat noisy.  On the front this tire will cup horribly so plan to rotate
> frequently. They often get replaced when they sound like bad wheel
> bearings.
>
>
> Dennis
>
>
> ----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> ralph meyermann
> Sent: Monday, January 13, 2014 12:47 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Clam shell question
>
> Ive decided with the 205/75/15 General Grabber 2 and some minor alterations
> to clamshell.
>
> Velma 82 1.9L AAZ td westy
> On Jan 10, 2014 12:36 PM, "Dennis Haynes" <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Try as you may you just can't plan for any tire failure scenario and
> > always have a matched set. Any tire purchased may not be available for
> > a replacement in the future. Tire designs are always changing and
> > there is always the possibility of multiple failures. So get your set
> > of 4 tires mounted on the wheels and do what is needed to get that
> > spare underneath and enjoy. I usually rotate the 5th tire on the right
> > side as the right front seems to get the most wear. I am a bit old
> > fashioned in the regard that I try not to change a tires rotation
> > direction. I know the tire companies say it is OK to switch sides now
> > but I still see tread separations and other failures. Tires are a
> > consumable, and they can get damaged and they do age.
> > They can also be replaced in pairs. The spare can be to just get you
> > to a repair option or a direct fit. Many vehicles now don't even come
> > with spares. Use your tires. Damage one, use the spare. When needed
> > then consider other options. Just not worth losing much sleep over
> > them.
> >
> > Dennis
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> > Behalf Of Eric Caron
> > Sent: Thursday, January 9, 2014 10:15 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Re: Clam shell question
> >
> > 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
> >
>