Tire suggestions please

[Karsten]

Just switched to 235/85's on stock 7" wheels on my '98 E250 2WD, they fit snug without rubbing whatsoever. I even took it mild offroad to test. You might have to cut the edges of the front valance below the bumper if you have the plastic cover (which I don't have on my plain jane cargo van). 235's are usually rated for 6-8" wide wheels, so you're ok in that department. The Hakkapeliittas are the benchmark for years when it comes to winter tires.
I opted for E-rated General AT2's which also carry the snowflake and have the correct speed index up to 180kmh, which we need here in Germany.

[derJack]

Originally Posted by Karsten

Just switched to 235/85's on stock 7" wheels on my '98 E250 2WD, they fit snug without rubbing whatsoever. I even took it mild offroad to test. You might have to cut the edges of the front valance below the bumper if you have the plastic cover (which I don't have on my plain jane cargo van). 235's are usually rated for 6-8" wide wheels, so you're ok in that department. The Hakkapeliittas are the benchmark for years when it comes to winter tires.
I opted for E-rated General AT2's which also carry the snowflake and have the correct speed index up to 180kmh, which we need here in Germany.

These Germans drive so fast ...

[GTDad]

Originally Posted by vwteleman

I'm also in Vancouver. I've had studded Nokian Hakkapeliittas for the past 4 or 5 years in 245/75/R16 (my stock size), and they've been great. I have a stock E350 EB V10, weighing about 8000 lbs.

I've recently gone to 265/75/R16 for my non-winter tires, which add about an inch to the tire diameter, and have had no rubbing issues at all. Speedometer is about 3% slow.

Here are the theoretical tire diameters for the tires discussed here:
225/75/R16 - 29.3"
245/75/R16 - 30.5"
265/75/R16 - 31.6"
235/85/R16 - 31.7"

As you can see, the 235/85 size you are considering is about the same as my new tires, and with the narrower width should have even less potential for rubbing. Of course, YMMV.

Cheers,
Brent

Hi Brent I am also in North Van, I was going to wait to get tires after I get a small lift, but I got caught up the tire slashing incident on dec4 so I had to get tires asap. Kaltire said 235 would be too close and would not do it.. I ended up getting nokian Rotiva At's in 245 flavour.
Love the tires just not the price tag.
We should have meet up with Van folks some time
Btw anywhere local for some after market bumpers???
Cheers
Erik

[GTDad]

Originally Posted by vwteleman

I'm also in Vancouver. I've had studded Nokian Hakkapeliittas for the past 4 or 5 years in 245/75/R16 (my stock size), and they've been great. I have a stock E350 EB V10, weighing about 8000 lbs.

I've recently gone to 265/75/R16 for my non-winter tires, which add about an inch to the tire diameter, and have had no rubbing issues at all. Speedometer is about 3% slow.

Here are the theoretical tire diameters for the tires discussed here:
225/75/R16 - 29.3"
245/75/R16 - 30.5"
265/75/R16 - 31.6"
235/85/R16 - 31.7"

As you can see, the 235/85 size you are considering is about the same as my new tires, and with the narrower width should have even less potential for rubbing. Of course, YMMV.

Cheers,
Brent

Hi Brent I am also in North Van, I was going to wait to get tires after I get a small lift, but I got caught up the tire slashing incident on dec4 so I had to get tires asap. Kaltire said 235 would be too close and would not do it.. I ended up getting nokian Rotiva At's in 245 flavour.
Love the tires just not the price tag.
We should have meet up with Van folks some time
Btw anywhere local for some after market bumpers???
Cheers
Erik

[vwteleman]

Hi Erik,

That slashing spree sucked - people can be real dicks. I'm a bit farther east of you, in Deep Cove. I've been a long-time Kal customer, but I didn't get my 265/75/R16 tires there. I was in Oregon this summer and couldn't pass up the tax-free opportunity. I've heard that Kal can be sticky with non-stock sizes, but as I said, the 265s have been no problem. The Nokians should be great, though.

A meet-up in Van would be great.

Don't know if any local after-market bumper options.

Cheers,
Brent

[WhitH]

There are a number of great bumper options if you ever make it down to Oregon. Buckstop, Trail Ready, and Proline are all here. There is another outfit in Portland that I can't think of at the moment. Buckstop and Trail Ready are both relatively close to Portland/I-5 while Proline is over in Central Oregon.

[GTDad]

Thanks for the heads up, would be good road trip ,maybe do some surfing and mountain biking.
I check out the websites, really liked the look of the TR base model bumper and the baja..drool