From what I remember of the GoWesty brakes….SOME 15” wheels work, but not all (hence the recommendation to go with 16” wheels. I believe I’ve got one set of 15” wheels that work, and a different style of 15” wheels that doesn’t (but I don’t remember which is which right now). 2 of my Syncros have Rheins. 

> On Feb 13, 2021, at 1:56 PM, Bruce Todd <beeceetee@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Ok - why not chime in as well given it is a Saturday and there is a whole
> weekend of tire threads to wear through yet and it is currently snowing!
> Well my Syncro is sound asleep under her winter cover - she is sporting
> Nokian WR 3s 205/70/15 - a tire I recommend for snow, moderate off road and
> lots of highway road travel - a very quiet ride and worthy tire.  However I
> don't think they manufacture these anymore.  I no longer drive the Westy
> during the winter (my third winter) due to the road brine and salting and I
> want to keep whatever good metal I have left and slow down the current
> spread of corrosion.
> 
> Funny though - as I've been tempted to put her back on the road as my other
> car was T-boned last week thanks to a Honda sedan running a stop sign and
> taking out my Mazda 6 wagon.  Without a car - other than my wife's / family
> Enclave - I've been on foot a lot more and the Syncro is just sitting there
> wagging her tail like a dog eager for a walk.  BTW - the Mazda was a tank
> and took the impact very well even though I spun 180 degrees pointing in
> the opposite direction than I was going.
> 
> I will likely be moving on to a 16"or 17" wheel and tire combo as I would
> like to install the big brake set up from G-Westy and from what I have read
> the 15's are too small in diameter to make the fit work.  I had a heated
> and scary brake fade descent this past summer coming down a long switch
> back which pretty much sealed my thoughts on the bigger brakes.  When I do
> re-tire - I think I will go back to a little more aggressive tire -
> something that threads the needle between fairly rugged off road and yet
> still maintain a smooth and relatively quiet highway driving experience.
> 
> Bruce
> 
> 
> 
> On Sat, Feb 13, 2021 at 9:15 AM Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
> 
>> Yup the rotivas look good.
>> 
>> One issue with nokian tires up here in Canada is that there is only one
>> distributor. A monopoly. Prices reflect that.
>> 
>> I still think there will be a greater choice of suitable van tires with
>> the recent surge in smaller commercial van types being sold here in Canada .
>> 
>> 
>>> On Feb 13, 2021, at 6:40 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> A tires load rating is only slightly determined by how "stout" the
>> construction is. The main limitation is the generation of heat and how much
>> flex can the tire take. The ratings are based on standards which is why the
>> ratings are consistent across brands for given tire types. So yes to get
>> more capacity a given design becomes a larger tire. Increased diameter
>> means decreased revolutions per mile so it can carry more weight at a given
>> speed, inflation pressure, increased width means larger footprint reducing
>> tread loading. Air volume and pressure can also be a factor.
>>> 
>>> As a group we seem to get hung up on the need for commercial or truck
>> type tires. With 16 inch wheels there are a number of choices in reasonable
>> sizes with the XL ratings that for extended high speed travel are actually
>> much better choices. For Syncros I like 215/65-16XL. The Nokian Rotiiva is
>> a current favorite for AT/Winter use. For 2WD 225/60-16XL is my usual
>> choice.
>>> 
>>> Dennis
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of
>> Alistair Bell
>>> Sent: Friday, February 12, 2021 10:20 PM
>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>> Subject: Re: Search for tires
>>> 
>>> Hey Kim,
>>> 
>>> I’m picking up what you’re laying down :-)
>>> 
>>> I’ve been hoping, the last few years as more transits , ducatos, etc are
>> sold up here in Canada , that we get a wider choice of tires.
>>> 
>>> The geolander, bfg, general, etc seem to me to have the same carcass
>> construction and only gain load rating with larger tires.
>>> 
>>> Unlike the Hakka and some Michelin and Conti which do have the
>> commercial van construction that’s so common in Europe.
>>> 
>>> I’m hoping with more of the above mentioned vans being sold in North
>> America we might get the tire choice you have already in Europe.
>>> 
>>> So far it’s been mostly commercial van summer, all season and, snow.
>> Maybe , maybe, we will get a good load rating all terrain for the vanagon.
>>> 
>>> 16” anyway.
>>> 
>>> Alistair
>>> 
>>>> On Feb 12, 2021, at 10:30 AM, KIM BRENNAN <kimbrennan@mac.com> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> So, the other day, instead of searching tire sites for vanagon tires…I
>> searched for cargo van tires. Lots more choices than I expected. And most
>> are load 100 rated (or better). Just something for folk to consider when
>> looking for tires the next time. I still can’t get my preferred brand/tire
>> in the USA (Vredestein Winter Comtrac 2), unless I go via eBay from Italy
>> and pay through the nose, but Nokian has a similar winter tire that is
>> available. Not the 225/70R15 size, but the 215/75R15, which is acceptable.
>> My current Vredesteins are still good for this winter, and probably through
>> next summer…but for next winter I’ll have to be prepared.
>>