I went to Les Schwab the other day and while I was there asked after snow
tires - I have 185 R 14 (I think) on my '85 now and he recommended
Hakkapeliita but didn't have that size.

I've gone through the archives and found people have many different sizes,
and there are even  different sizes on eBay now.

Here is my little compilation:
I like the Nokian WR 205/65 R 15 XL tires that I put on our '85 Westfalia.
They are very close to the stock diameter of the original 185 R 14 tires,
they are also rated 99H for the load of a Westfalia.  They have a good all
season tread. See www.nokiantyres.com

This 5 mph thing is really is  typical of Vanagons.  The new one was a
little closer, and then I put Michelin XCA 205/75R14 tires on it. The XCA
tires are just a bit bigger in diameter - stand taller - than other tires
in a 14 inc, and that little difference brought the speed right dead on.
The stock tires diameter is 25.5". A 185/80-14 or 195/75-14 fits this
description. The 205/70-14 is slightly shorter depending on brand. To get
the error out, you need a 26.75" tire.

I have the BFG's on my van. Although they are a little bigger than what
you are looking at (225/70/16) I really like them. I regularly take my
Vanagon into the mountains during snow (read: 3-4 feet of powder) and in
the dirt and mud and I have yet to encounter stuckage or any sort of
problem.

My choice has been to go with a 215-70. Make sure it is rated for the
higher 44 psi inflation pressure for proper handling. These will be rated
at 1554 lbs @ 35 psi. An "H" speed rating will also help offset any high
speed heating effects and the sidewall design of an "H" rated tire will
help the handling. I have used a number of these tires,
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Firestone&tireModel=Affinit+LH30&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=17HR4AFLH30&fromCompare1=yes
with excellent results.

Thanks,

Andree

Sincerely,

Andree Hurley

Viewit.com, Onwatersports.com
http://www.viewit.com/
Kayak Newsletter
http://www.onwatersports.com/KIX/Newsletters/KayakNewsletterFall2006.html