Tell me about 15" steel wheels.

205r 14's on standard steels are bigger that 205/70/15's on 15 alloys or steels, most people go for the smaller 195/70/15's on alloys which are more or less the same as standard steel 185r 14's

 

16" Merc sprinters with 205 70 r15

 

Are you sure? 16” wheels with 15” tyres.

 

Apologies, I have fat fingers

 

Also a small phone and really poor proof reading abilities.

 

You also need the height of the tyre (aspect ratio) but if you’re comparing a 205/70 on a 15” with a 205/70 on a 14” then yes the larger wheel and tyre will have a larger circumference.

 

The R on a 185r 195r 205r 8 ply van tyre equates to an 80 aspect ratio

 

I was using 70% aspect ratio as an example because tyres don’t have 80% marked. And the R means radial ply.

 

I know but for someone asking who doesn't know it starts getting complicated, allibus just wants to knows size differences I thought so that's what I gave him

 

The only wheel and tyre you'll ever need !!


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But you can’t ignore the aspect ratio - as you correctly explained in post #61. A 185/70x14 is smaller than a 185x14 but it’s not obvious from the markings if you don’t know what they mean. And we haven’t even started on load ratings.

 

I agree, I only ever run proper van rated 8ply tyres , lots of people put car tyres on without really realising, My T4 normally has 195r 15c 8 ply van tyres but iv'e put bigger 225r 15c 8 ply van tyres on it, I did put alloys on with 235/50/17's with extra load rating but I never felt 100% comfortable so have taken them off

 

^ the "extra load" or xl rating means it can take a higher tyre pressure but doesn't mean it is necessarily load rating high enough for a bus, you need to have a suitable load rating too.

 

Thanks for all the answers and it shows that there are a lot of options to consider!

If I have understood this correctly, to increase the circumference (assuming the same aspect ratio) and in cost order;

1. Do nothing

2. Put 205s on standard 14inch wheels, no additional cost for wheels. Could just put 205s on the back but then there is a risk of puncture and what size spare do you carry? Or to hell with it and fit whatever spare you have until you find a tyre repair garage.

3. Put 205s on 15inch wheels, bigger than 14s but additional costs for wheels. Could just put 205/15s on the back, not illegal but may look stupid? Same puncture issue.

Now I know why my bus had 205/14s on when I brought it, plus I now know why I shouldn't have sold them . Live and learn.........

 

there are lots of busses with different size tyres on the front vs the rear - in terms of what spare to carry i don't think it really makes much difference as its only to get you to a garage - my spare is a space saver or carry a can of foam (or both).