Steel wheels full time

[2into1]

Personally if they are purely for winter why not keep them and use them say Nov-April? We have the Goodyear all season tyres but January last year I was disappointed with the grip when driving on a snowy incline. I think they are a good allrounder but not a full on winter tyre.

I've really struggled to decide if him sending winters was a bonus or a problem. I'm only worried if we get a mild winter they will get torn up.
He's still saying these dunlops are coming on all the vans (transporters not Cali's) from the factory, but I struggle to believe that having checked Dunlop's own website.

 

[Walrus]

Having heard about the different tyres I am more inclined to go for a set. I really want a second set to be proper winter tyres.

 

[larrylamb]

I've really struggled to decide if him sending winters was a bonus or a problem. I'm only worried if we get a mild winter they will get torn up.
He's still saying these dunlops are coming on all the vans (transporters not Cali's) from the factory, but I struggle to believe that having checked Dunlop's own website.

Yes, I can see all season tyres as an option from VW but not full winters.
I think full winters would be good when we are in the depths of winter, I imagine you get your share of sleet and snow where you live, as stated above when the temps get to 7 and below they will come into their own.

 

[HugoFar]

I have 18 inch factory fitted, what size winter tyre do I need if I get 17inch wheels?

Usually easy to check on the B-pillar for tyre and wheel sizes for your vehicle. BTW, for snow driving VW some times state in the hand book only the narrower tyres should be used with snow chains but we've used chains on our 235/55R17 tyres on the VW 4Motion Multivan with no problems. Our California 4M has 16 inch wheels which can theoretically use the same chains (Thule XG12Pro...I think). Haven't needed to test that yet.

 

[HugoFar]

I have 18 inch factory fitted, what size winter tyre do I need if I get 17inch wheels?

Also check that you have a spare wheel. Some 18inch VW T5 + T6's only come with a tyre sealant and mini compressor kit, and no actual spare wheel. If you have no spare then you may also need to fit the spare wheel holder arm. Easy enough to look under the rear of your van to check. Good luck.

 

[Wongo]

Thanks, van arriving today.

No spare on the van, what parts do I need to install?

I do know that narrower tyres are better in snow generally.

 

[HugoFar]

Thanks, van arriving today.

No spare on the van, what parts do I need to install?

I do know that narrower tyres are better in snow generally.

Regarding spare wheel hanger; Either visit a VW Parts Dept for the parts and retail prices or do an ETKA google search, (or this, http://www.oemepc.com/ )The VW California is called Campmob.)) and load your vehicle model and year and search through pages for the part number, then search for local second hand spare parts. VW dealers seem very reluctant to give you the parts number. Good luck.

 

[HugoFar]

Hey Wongo, I just did it for you. Not sure what year your one is so you may need to do it again with your Model Year (MY) -not necessarily the first purchase year. http://www.oemepc.com/vw/part_singl...801/subcategory/801060/part_id/3686363/lang/e

 

[Wongo]

Thanks guys just great

 

[Gavrobb]

No spare on the van, what parts do I need to install?

Same issue with my 18" 'Upgrade' - no spare and two punctures in the first 6 months (mousse doesn't fill 2" gashes - who knew!?)

Local VW dealer sourced the hanger and pin easy enough and it wasn't too expensive. I sourced a great deal on a basic 17" alloy delivered - wheel and quality tire based on a supplier that had a random pair of rated wheels surplus to stock. I'm sure he still has the other - PM me if you would like his details

 

[Gavrobb]

To add - no punctures since carrying a spare. Cheap insurance.. !

 

[2into1]

I've been reading all the old 17" Steel wheel / winter tyre threads and thought I'd post an update:

After looking for weeks on ebay at poor photos and unmatched sets, I did some searching trying to find the bargain guy in Ashford Kent referred to in some of the threads. Several members had asked recently for his contact details but no answers were forthcoming.

I failed but managed to find someone down there doing the same thing and have just bought myself a set of 4 of these 'retro' 17" steels and goodyear cargo vector 2 215/60r17c 109/107t, all weather tyres, which will be my winter boots. Complete with the centre caps, they are £420 if you can collect from Canterbury, or £520 delivered by courier. They are straight off imported vans, delivery mileage. That's the same price (delivered) as buying just the tyres (at about £140 each plus fitting etc) from Tyreleader (who've been recommended here) to which you've got to add the wheels at £57 each.

The chap has a good reputation on the T4/5 forum, so I thought I'd plug him here: http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=138092 He says he has enough for everyone!

As per some of the debate here, they are not the 235/55 on my summer alloys, but perhaps a better (narrower) width for winter use, for my regular journeys across the Woodhead Pass.

He sends an invoice to your paypal account.

Just an update to my story above. Here are my 17" steels fitted for winter. They were on just in time for the bad spell but the van has been too dirty to share!


I'm personally not a fan of the steelie look vs my alloy Cascavels, but happy to have my full winter (*) tyres for my frequent trips over the Woodhead Pass.

(*) There is an update to this quoted post further up the thread. The wheels actually came with full winters rather than the all-seasons promised, but I think it has all worked out well. My local VW specialist garage did the swap over for me. He insisted he didn't want paying but I forced a few beer vouchers on him!

 

[larrylamb]

Those steelies look good, as does your Cali, that is a lovely blue.
I think if you are swapping wheels/tyres for winter you might as well be full winter rather than halfway house all seasons.

 

[2into1]

Those steelies look good, as does your Cali, that is a lovely blue.

I prefer the Cascavels (Anthracite)......but they'll last longer just used in the better weather.

 

[Goldie]

Just about to take my steelies off and put the Thunders back on as I'm selling my Beach. They been on for four years; apart from the silver paint coming off and showing the black underneath they are in good nick.

I left them on as I didn't think the Dunlop Sport was a suitable tyre for a campervan out here in NZ where a lot of roads are not sealed. The bonus is the Thunders are like new with just a few hundred miles on them.

I'll keep the steelies for my new Beach, although the GoodYear Marathon Cargo tyres fitted look very similar to Cargo Vector 2 M+S on the steelies. (Although it will save me buying new snow chains - never used.)

Andy

 

[HugoFar]

Just about to take my steelies off and put the Thunders back on as I'm selling my Beach. They been on for four years; apart from the silver paint coming off and showing the black underneath they are in good nick.

I left them on as I didn't think the Dunlop Sport was a suitable tyre for a campervan out here in NZ where a lot of roads are not sealed. The bonus is the Thunders are like new with just a few hundred miles on them.

I'll keep the steelies for my new Beach, although the GoodYear Marathon Cargo tyres fitted look very similar to Cargo Vector 2 M+S on the steelies. (Although it will save me buying new snow chains - never used.)

Andy
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Hey Andy. That must be your new Cali in the back ground of a photo. Looks good. When do you plan to sell the yellow beach? Will you put it on trade me? A person we know here in Nelson may be keen. It's still possibly the one and only Beach in NZ. Cheers. Hugo

 

[Goldie]

Hey Andy. That must be your new Cali in the back ground of a photo. Looks good. When do you plan to sell the yellow beach? Will you put it on trade me? A person we know here in Nelson may be keen. It's still possibly the one and only Beach in NZ. Cheers. Hugo

Hi Hugo,

I've been making a POD for my new Beach - have had it certified self contained and finishing the job off. I've taken all the photos, listed the specs etc and will put it on Trademe. Being a bit slow, will be sorry to see it go. When You have a new one alongside the old one you see a few retro steps and the glass isn't so full, e.g. the standard dash in the the T6 is poor compared to the T5, everything comes flying out when you go round a bend, it's not as good looking - too much black plastic around the front compared to the T5. Although I like the DSG (still getting used to it) and looking forward to using the parking heater when it get's colder.

Andy.

 

[Jason wallace]

I'm just starting to look seriously at some steels to chuck on the van for winter. As my Ocean variant (4motion 204) is pretty heavy to start with, should i be looking for standard steels or the heavier duty ones VW puts on some vans or are these not required?

Thanks

 

[T6 CFO]

I'm just starting to look seriously at some steels to chuck on the van for winter. As my Ocean variant (4motion 204) is pretty heavy to start with, should i be looking for standard steels or the heavier duty ones VW puts on some vans or are these not required?

Thanks

It’s worth popping in to your dealers and having a word. Mine had a few sets stored and sold me a new set at a good price complete with new tyres.


Mike

 

[Jason wallace]

Thanks for the suggestion Mike.....Sadly no luck with my dealer....but now managed to get a set of new steels. Will sell off the tyres on there and
replace with some winter rubber......although still trying to make a final decision or what those will be.

It’s worth popping in to your dealers and having a word. Mine had a few sets stored and sold me a new set at a good price complete with new tyres.


Mike