Q: I'm looking to upgrade my Vanagon wheels/tires. Should I choose the 15",16", or 17”?
There is, in fact, no change more important for your Vanagon than ditching those original 14" wheels and switching to a 15”, 16”, or 17” wheel. But which is best?
Here are some things to consider:
1) You have a Carat or MV with the factory lower-ride springs. In this case, the tires that fit 16” and 17” wheels are wider and therefore more likely to rub the front fender lips. You can roll the fender lips out of the way or go with a 15” wheel—the tires for which are a bit smaller and therefore less likely to rub.
2) The overall rolling diameter of 15”, 16”, and 17” tires we recommend (sizes 215/65R15, 215/60R16, and 215/55R17, respectively) are all very close to the same. This means that each inch the wheel increases in diameter, the sidewall necessarily decreases by 1/2”. The taller the sidewall, the more tire there is to absorb the occasional "Oops, I didn't see that curb!”
3) Tire choices in 15” and 16” sizes are not nearly as plentiful as 17” tires, and will just get fewer and fewer as time goes on. So, if #1 and #2 above are not important to you, 17” is the way to go.
In general, if you have a 2WD Vanagon that sees little-to-no off-road action and has regular-height springs (all Vanagon models except Carat or MV) or GoWesty lifting springs, a 17” wheel is the way to go. The 17" wheel is 1/2" wider (7.5" as opposed to 7"), which translates into a wider tire contact patch ("footprint") on the road. And that equals better stability and handling. Also, we think they look better in that they are more proportional to the size of the Vanagon.
This article is intended for those of you who have decided you want larger wheels for your Vanagon and now need help deciding whether to go with 15", 16", or 17" wheels. Well, read on!