I may be way off, but I always thought that the "50" is a percentage
relative to the height.  IOW, a 50 would be 1/2 as tall as it is wide,
whereas a 55 would be 55% as tall as it is wide.  I do know that the lower
number results in a wider tire, all other things being equal.

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy "Klaus"
Santa Barbara, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Lee Roesner
Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2000 8:08 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: tire sizes "*&%#@"

Well, I went tire shopping today getting ready for my wheels. Wondering
what I should put on them and I have had the hardest time trying to
"apply" tire dimensions and physical size. I was looking at two tires
(225/50/16 and 225/55/16) and noticing that the 50 series was noticeably
WIDER that the 55 series. I set them side by side. There it was. How can
that be? Now my understanding (and tirerack.com online explanation is)
the middle number (height) is the percentage of the first number
(width). Then why oh why are these tires different widths. The tire guy
didn't even know. Anybody?

Anyone want to comment on 245"s. It looks like I may be able to clear
everything in the wheel wells and still keep my turning radius. The new
wheels are 7.5" wide and offset 10mm more to the outside than the stock
wheel. Can someone tell me why this may be a bad idea? Hydroplaning
comes to mind...but....

Thanks,
Lee

--
Lee Roesner
PARADIGM Graphic Design & Web Development
Northbrook Office 847-509-8704
   Fax: 847-480-5701
Home Office: 815-385-2969
   Fax: 815-385-2994
PORTFOLIO: http://www.roesner.net/vw