Quick question about tyre size

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mariner
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Quick question about tyre size

Post by mariner »

Hi. I'm ordering up some whitewall tyres for my van and have the option of the standard 185/14 or a larger 195/14. The standard is 25.6'' top to bottom and 7.4'' wide whereas the 195/14 is 26.3'' top to bottom and 7.7'' wide.

I like the idea of the slightly larger tyre and just wanted to check that I won't get any issues with rubbing/fouling. I can't imagine I would as the differences are small but just want to double-check before I purchase. Thanks for any advice.
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clift_d
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Re: Quick question about tyre size

Post by clift_d »

Assuming that you're still using the standard VW steel wheels, then 195/R14 tyres should fit okay - they have a nominal diameter of 675mm, which is about 3% larger than the standard 185/R14 tyres, which have a nominal diameter of 654mm.

The largest tyre that is commonly understood to fit a 2WD van is a 215/75 R15, which has a nominal diameter of 704mm, although that is subject to your wheels having a suitable offset, your suspension being in good condition, and your engine being able to handle the more than 7.5% increase in gearing.
Last edited by clift_d on 05 Mar 2021, 16:15, edited 2 times in total.
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Mocki
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Re: Quick question about tyre size

Post by Mocki »

I have always put 14x195 C on standard wheels , no issues at all. 

i have 16x215/70 on my two wheel drive camper on merc tolliman alloys , but do have 5mm spacers on the front 
 
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mariner
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Re: Quick question about tyre size

Post by mariner »

Thanks guys. Didn’t think it would be an issue but good to have some reassurance.
1985 Super Viking with Subaru EJ22 (formerly 1.9 petrol DG)
1981 air-cooled 2.0 high top

mariner
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Location: Bristol

Re: Quick question about tyre size

Post by mariner »

Have now managed to track down some whitewall tyres - JK and others have been out of stock for ages. The 185/14s are marked as having a load rating of 95 on the website and the supplier says they have a load rating of 850kg (don't understand how the too figures correlate). From what I've read on here that puts them right on the edge of what's okay for a fully laden camper. They also do a 195/14 with a load rating of 900kg - is that enough to tip me into okay territory? Cheers.
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1981 air-cooled 2.0 high top

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ajsimmo
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Re: Quick question about tyre size

Post by ajsimmo »

Yep, go with the 195s is my tip.

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