Thanks, Jeff, that certainly makes sense. My comment about wheel strength was not about tire sidewall height, just wheel height vs. strength in absorbing the shocks off off-road travel. 

Am I wrong that a taller wheel can aborb more shock than a shorter wheel? If so, is a 14" wheel with higher-profile tires an option?

Thanks!

 Eric
 Eric Wunrow Pictures
 85 S Union Blvd, #Q123
 Lakewood, CO 80228
  
 303. 988. 8717
 VW@EricWunrow.com

On Nov 16, 2014, at 3:08 PM, Jeff <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Actually, it works the other way around.  After 20+ years of off road racing (Baja 500 - 1000, etc.), I can assure you that the higher profile of the tire helps protect the rim from damage.  
> 
> Just look at the rim/tire combinations that are run by serious off roaders.  Off course, they also use bead locks...
> 
> Cheers, 
> 
> Jeff
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Eric Wunrow
> Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2014 1:09 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Suspension for Off Roading
> 
> Good advice. I have the alloy 14-inchers from VW and do wonder how tough they are  that said, I've hammered them quite a lot and they're still straight.
> 
> I believe that the larger the wheel is, the more one can punish them without failure, and I suspect this is true of the alloys as well. Not sure which way I'll go when upping to 16"...
> 
> Eric
> Eric Wunrow Pictures
> 85 S Union Blvd, #Q123
> Lakewood, CO 80228
> 
> 303. 988. 8717
> VW@EricWunrow.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Nov 16, 2014, at 8:15 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
>>  Another consideration when working on your off road suitability....Alloy
>> wheels are more prone to damage than steel ones.   Alloys will fracture or
>> fail when you hit the rim into a pothole or smoosh a huge boulder with 
>> a low air tire....Steelies, if they do get damaged off road, they can 
>> be bent back often times....or at least enough to get the bead to seat 
>> for the tire, enabling you to keep moving.  I have twice bent steel rims in Baja
>> and broken an alloy aftermarket one.   One of the steelies I bent, we were
>> almost 60 miles from pavement and there was nothing around.   We
>> straightened the rim with a rock and aired it up using our bicycle 
>> pump, with gasoline and a match to seat the bead....In Baja you may 
>> sit for days on end until another vehicle comes along...often finding 
>> an appropriate rim may involve long distances to help....I keep my rims in steel now.
>> 
>> On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 7:43 AM, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> Yes I do deflate the tires when I do off road - usually I take out 
>>> 10psi and 15psi on sand - in any case I leave a minimum 20psi. As 
>>> Dennis mentioned there's a risk of damage to tires specially on the 
>>> side wall if the road has a lot sharp rocks such as the one from 
>>> Ubehe Crater to the Race Track in Death Valley. I always carry a 12V air pump, off road or not.
>>> 
>>> On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 7:26 AM, Dennis Haynes 
>>> <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Off roaders will air down the tires to improve traction and reduce
>>> sinking
>>>> on soft dirt, mud, and sand. As the pressure is lowered the contact 
>>>> patch increases. They will often air down low enough that the 
>>>> sidewalls can
>>> also
>>>> provide a floatation effect, 12-16psi is common. The down side of 
>>>> this is an increased chance of rolling the bead off the rim and 
>>>> having a tire completely air out and hitting any type of sharp 
>>>> object can damage a tire internally. Note this approach is for low speed operation.
>>>> 
>>>> You didn't say what tire you are using, size or type, If using a 
>>>> regular passenger tire you reach full capacity at ~35 psi. Above 
>>>> that you are
>>> going
>>>> for handling or reduced rolling resistance.
>>>> 
>>>> Dennis
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On 
>>>> Behalf Of Stan Shapiro
>>>> Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2014 10:14 AM
>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>> Subject: Re: Suspension for Off Roading
>>>> 
>>>> Another question on suspension.   I have a 90 Westy, 16 in wheels,
>>>> Michelin tires, and Bilstein shocks from GoWesty.    It is terrible on
>>>> washboard roads.     I notice the 4 wheelers let air out of their tires
>>>> before going off road.    Does anyone have any experience in letting a
>>>> small amount of air out for a washboard road??    If so, how much do you
>>>> let out?   Do you carry a 12 volt compressor to refill?
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks
>>>> Stan
>>>> Idaho
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On 
>>>> Behalf Of Chris S.
>>>> Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2014 2:58 PM
>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>> Subject: Re: Suspension for Off Roading
>>>> 
>>>> See Burley Motorsports' custom upper control arms that eliminate the 
>>>> finicky bushings. Also, for a good off road ride you may consider 
>>>> progressive long travel springs. I have Schwenk springs on my Syncro 
>>>> and they are wonderful.
>>>> 
>>>> Chris.
>>>> 
>>>> Wyslane z iPhone'a
>>>> 
>>>> Dnia Nov 15, 2014 o godz. 14:47 Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM>
>>>> napisal(a):
>>>> 
>>>>> Hello:
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> I thought about posting this on the Samba but you all seem a bit 
>>>>> more
>>>> civil  and helpful.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> We are traveling full-time in a 1984 Westy we bought just months 
>>>>> before
>>>> leaving, and are about to end Month 16. Challenging, yes  and 
>>>> perhaps
>>> equal
>>>> parts commendable and committable. But we are in for the long haul.
>>>>> 
>>>>> I have had four alignments done in 12K miles. At first I thought 
>>>>> the
>>>> mechanics weren't torquing the right upper control arm enough, as it
>>> keeps
>>>> coming loose and knocking toe way out  last time it was over AN INCH 
>>>> out, and now a few hundred miles later, it's out again and baking 
>>>> our new BFG ATs. Ugh.
>>>>> 
>>>>> The easiest solution seems to be replacing the control arm bolts, 
>>>>> as I
>>>> do not think Loctite will solve it in the proper way. But, if the 
>>>> arms
>>> need
>>>> to come off anyway, and possibly new bushings are needed as well, 
>>>> what
>>> are
>>>> my options for upgrading the suspension for constant dirt travel? I 
>>>> saw a gray panel Synchro at Buses by the Bridge in January with Fox 
>>>> shocks and
>>> it
>>>> looked like a great solution. I am willing to trade highway comfort 
>>>> for
>>> off
>>>> road softness before parts start flying off at will.
>>>>> 
>>>>> We hope to keep our Bus forever, and though we are short of funds I 
>>>>> do
>>>> not necessarily want a quick fix. We have to rely on this Thing 
>>>> (Ahem, sorry, Bus) for a long time and may take it around the globe. 
>>>> So
>>> anything I
>>>> can do for the long-term good is of prime interest, and getting to 
>>>> remote places is partly why we live in it.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Also, if you know of anyone in So. Cal. or near Yuma capable of 
>>>>> this
>>>> work (where we're wintering), I'm all ears. I found a cooperative 
>>>> tire store owner in Pahrump who owns a few Vanagons, but have yet to 
>>>> ask if
>>> such
>>>> an upgrade is within his realm.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Thanks in Advance,
>>>>> 
>>>>> Eric
>>>>> Eric Wunrow Pictures
>>>>> 85 S Union Blvd, #Q123
>>>>> Lakewood, CO 80228
>>>>> 
>>>>> 303. 988. 8717
>>>>> VW@EricWunrow.com
>>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>