Kent, when I got my "88GL it had dealer cheapo/gypo tires without
reinforced side walls. I drove it that way for a long time, because the
tread was near new on the tires. I went west for a while and experienced
the winds when crossing the Great Plains. The van  was all over the
road. I was hauling a good load but it still was a problem. Not long ago
I made the return trip, but before I did I put on a full set of Michelin
MXT's 205-R70/14 tires. I was really impressed by the increased
performance.

The re-inforced sidewalls really make a difference in strong winds. I
was also carrying a really heavy load, The re-inforced sidewalls plus
being able to carry 45+ psi in the tires made a huge difference.

This is the tire I will keep on the van unless I upgrade to 15" rims. In
that case I would have a wider choice of tires of lite truck tires. You
have few choices with the 14" rims..

I would still stick with a  205 tire because you are right....a narrower
tire means more traction and has less tendency to hydroplane in heavy
rain, especially if you have a deep tread.  I feel the 205 is the
optimum. Wide enough to give good traction and wide track performance on
dry pavement, yet not so wide as to lose the advantage of the more
narrow tire in a rainstorm. A good comprimise.

John Rodgers
Rebuilding the 2.1L in my "88GL

Kent Christensen wrote:

> Nothing wrong with skinny tires! (185-14)
>
> Less rolling and aerodynamic resistance and tire weight
> means (probably mostly theoretically) better mpg.
>
> Better traction in rain and snow and (not bottomless) mud
> because of less aquaplaning (flotation) due to greater psi
> on the road.
>
> Less expensive.
>
> 205 load capacity is a little greater but do you need it?
> Synchro is heavier vehicle and 205s recover potentially lost
> load capacity--wouldn't have looked good to have to
> advertise less load capacity.  Greater dry-road cornering
> (lateral g) capability and greater resistance to
> acceleration wheelspin are not relevant to Vanagon.
>
> 5.5-in rim is minimum for 205.