Club 80-90 Forums

1983 1.9dg westy joker pop-topHave ben looking around at all sorts of tyre sites and i am aware that there is a hotly debated issue about whats best. I have two sets of tyres, one 205-70-14 97R/Q?? load rating- seems adequate load BUT not 8 or even 6ply and non-commercial. If i ran flat or had a blow out on a heavy t25 presumably it would be a different experience with these than with standard 185 14 commercial rated tyres, say Hankook RA08 or Continental Vancos? I also wondered if there as really any point having wider profile on such a relatively slow and not-agile vehicle. What do u think.

thanks. Tim

205/70R14 were a factory option and a load index rating of 97 is more than adequate for a fully loaded camper/velle etc.
They look better, offer improved road holding and are just as safe as the standard 185/R14C's, win win all the way me thinks.
I have the standard 185R14C's on my Carat wheels but if I had the choice the 185's would be ditched every time in favour of the 205's.
Martin

Tim, if you do some more research via Dr Baxters web pages you may find T25/T3 Factory Caravelles fitted with alloy wheels used the 205/70x14 tyre profile, these could also be found fitted to 70s/80s prestige saloon cars of a similar unladen weight.
My guess is these were also fitted to caravelles to give a more civilised ride during use, rather than the commercial lumpy ride with an 8 ply 185 x14 van tyre.

I belive the 8 ply tyre has a stiffer sidewall which I'm told aids stabillity in windy conditions of a standard ride height vehicle,,,,,,But some caravelles lowered by 30mm from the factory fitted with alloy wheels also use the 205s and don't appear to suffer with any stability problems what so ever.

If you can put up with the standard ride height and tyre profile you should be a happy man,,,,if you are wondering 'What if' then you should lower your vehicle (IMHO no more than 30 mm), fit your alloys with the 70 aspect ratio ,,,,job done.

Power steering makes the job a little easier when in those tight spots,,,

Regards

Fritz,,,,,,,,,,,

thanks both, i'm still wondering about how differently a standard R14 tyre responds in a blowout compared to an 8ply C rated? I recall a blowout once in a 2ltr late bay with 185 14C, handled remarkably well!

One of the main benefits from a safety perspective between tubed and tubless tyres is that modern tubeless tyres don't tend to 'blow out' as you put it.
They deflate in a more controlled manner and are much safer as a consequence.
I don't suppose you would notice any difference between the two tyres you mentioned if you were to get a puncture whilst driving.
Both are tubless and neither should 'blow out' in the traditional sense of the term.
Martin