The difference in width is only 10mm and that is at the sidewall, not necessarily the tread. In that series tire the difference will be diameter. Since I come from the mindset of bigger is better I would go for the 195. Someday I'll learn.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of T Collins
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2015 8:31 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: YEs a tire question 195 vs 185

Hello List,

I recently found out that I need tires. I had made up my mind about what I was getting, but now I have a question as I have been ruminating all weekend about this.

I had the General Altimax RT 205/70R/14 XL 98T on my 85 gl, 7 passenger tin-top. I actually liked them very much. Knowing that those particular tires are no longer around. I felt that I needed to buy something that would fit the 14" rims out right. I have no funds to upgrade wheels at this time.

Bus Depot has the Hankook tires ra8 in both 185R and 195R. I wanted to buy the 185R.
Now I'm wondering if the 195 are not a better option because they are wider than the 185R and if going to a 185 will be too drastic a change from the previous 205 footing.

Given the option of properly rated tires what would you buy 185 vs 195? Is the wider tire that much wider or sure footed?

Thank you,
Tony

PS. here is a monkey wrench into the machine. I found these another 205 like the altimax <http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?ra=searchTiresBySize.do&fl=&pc=12415&counter=0&ar=70&rd=14&cs=205>