The post man's been ...

[benp1]

Pics of the van needed!

Not seen that bumbag before, be interested in your thoughts once you've had it a bit

http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB ... f=7&t=7607

Missed that, thanks!

[benp1]

I'm quite pleased with it actually. Lots of places to stash stuff and seems quite comfy and stable. Yet to load it fully though, but will take it to the Lakes at the weekend to give it a good try out

I bet, looks cracking

I'd like to get a T5 Kombi as my next car/transport

Looks a bit like a caravelle with those back windows?

[Ian]

Not a Caravelle but a former mobility vehicle (which aren't liable for VAT ), and these come with factory fitted windows. The interior was basic, but we had it relined, full width bed/seat fitted in the back and captain seats on swivel bases up front. The seats/ bed were also retrimmed to match, so the interior looks very new inside, besides the original dash.

Just need new stereo, curtains and 20" rims, and it'll be sorted

[Zippy]

and 20" rims,

Looks good Ian Just don't do 20" rims (although wheels etc. are very personal taste, just IMHO that would ruin it). BBS wheels seem to suit VDub's well.

[Ian]

What's wrong with 20" rims?

[benp1]

What's wrong with 20" rims?

They look awsumz, but will have a horrendous ride though. I had 18s on an A3 and it was crashy as anything!

T5 really looks good. Hard to justify an upgrade at the moment as I use the car once or twice a week at most, but it's my most likely next candidate. Would be slightly worried about leaving it by the side of the road or in a car park for a couple of days if I'm going walking or bikepacking though

[Zippy]

What's wrong with 20" rims?

Overwheeled IMHO (like I said, IMHO – and wheels are very personal, so don’t let my opinion even slightly stop you).
However, IMHO, the factory spent a lot of time developing a vehicle and suspension setup based upon what works – and unless you’re altering it to a drift van or something, I suspect 20s will just make performance (depending on your performance criteria, but I’m guessing mostly aesthetic and ride would be the reasons why) worse. Factory sizes for the T5 appear to range from 16s to 18s, and 6.5J to 7.5J width (corresponding tyre widths od 215 to 255, with the 18s being a 255 / 45 / R18). To keep stock rolling radius on say 255 width (and I expect you don’t want to mess with the rolling radius too much, nor go too wide so you don’t have rubbing issues etc. – electronics calibration, effective geometry alterations and scrub radius reasons blah blah blah) then with a set of 20s, you’re looking at approximately 245/35/R20, which means you’re tyre sidewall profile will theoretically be about 85mm vs the 110mm on the stock “big” rims. This will mean a ‘crashier’ ride, and I also expect more rotating weight (unless you buy some really decent lightweight rims)… For reference, my RX-8 is 225/45/R18 stock which is a sports car and that means a theoretical tyre sidewall height of 101mm, so running 20s you’ll have lower profile tyres than that – which IMHO is a bit overwheeled for a van.

That said, it has been known that I like things that I would never do myself, I’m not into the Vdub scene myself, but have been known to like some overly slammed, mega cambered, low profiled, overwheeled vehicles – just coz it’s been executed well and looks a bit different. I suspect they’re a pig to drive though!

[Ian]

Ok, makes sense, Zip - thanks!

[Bearbonesnorm]

Lastly, the SON 28 hub has gone onto a 50mm carbon rim for me to run 29+ on the Highland Trail.

Is surprised.

[Ian]

Is surprised

Why so?

[Dan_K]

Lastly, the SON 28 hub has gone onto a 50mm carbon rim for me to run 29+ on the Highland Trail.

Is surprised.

I take it you're running a rigid fork this year then? Didn't you use a suss fork previously?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Why so?

Just the additional weight and resistance really. However, I suppose on something as varied as the HT it is possible the positives could balance out the nagatives.

[Ian]

Even after the 440 in 2013, my newly serviced suss fork was pretty buggered, and I didn't fancy normal 29" rigid (or fat bike). I've been testing 29+ in the Beacons over the winter and liked it. Lower overall weight than a suss fork, and less to go wrong. Haven't found the resistance a bad thing tbh.

[darbeze]

The other thing to consider with running such large diameter rims (20") on a vehicle like a T5 is the load rating of the tyre. Don't forget it is a van and as such needs correctly load rated tyres. You will encounter uneven and premature wear on 20" low profile care tyres when running them on a van.

Don't get me wrong, I think low profile rims and tyres look good on VW vans, but i wouldn't do it myself.

Plus I prefer smaller wheels and bigger tyres personally as I favour 4wd vehicles...

Si

[ctznsmith]

Even after the 440 in 2013, my newly serviced suss fork was pretty buggered, and I didn't fancy normal 29" rigid (or fat bike). I've been testing 29+ in the Beacons over the winter and liked it. Lower overall weight than a suss fork, and less to go wrong. Haven't found the resistance a bad thing tbh.

Thanks Ian you have just ended my pre-long bike packing trip "what front tyre?" vacillation. Stick with the 29+ that I have on there at the moment...

New tent arrived today from Terra Nova. Solar Photon 2. Liking the shape (more head room) but not sure about how thin the sewn in groundsheet is!
(especially with my track record of destroying things/tents)

[johnnystorm]

The other thing to consider with running such large diameter rims (20") on a vehicle like a T5 is the load rating of the tyre. Don't forget it is a van and as such needs correctly load rated tyres. You will encounter uneven and premature wear on 20" low profile care tyres when running them on a van.

Don't get me wrong, I think low profile rims and tyres look good on VW vans, but i wouldn't do it myself.

Plus I prefer smaller wheels and bigger tyres personally as I favour 4wd vehicles...

Si

Finding XL101 rated tyres for my 18" BBS wheels on my T5 was difficult enough. Online suppliers will suggest tyres that meet the minimum weight spec that VW suggest, when you look at what VW spec as standard they are under performing. Insurance is enough of a ballache without having to argue the toss your tyres weren't up to snuff. You can always argue that you're OK as you aren't filling your van up to same weight a builder might with 100 bags of cement but I'd rather not. Same as you might not bother with Z rated tyres as you never take your 911 turbo up to 300km/h!

[Trail-rat]

You can alwaystry and argue that you're OK as you aren't filling your van up to same weight a builder might with 100 bags of cement butility I'd rather not

This is a terrible idea , trust me - ive seen a number of friends try to argue with insurance companys on technicalities.

plus by sticking 20" wheels on you are going to end up with kerbed alloys and a van that is nae cope off road.

Said it before , coolest VWS ive seen was actually rolling on big fat BFG ATs.

Looked the tits and really different to all the clone VWs

[johnnystorm]

Oh yeah by putting "try and" I'm suggesting you're peeing into the wind!

[Ian]

Ok, fair enough, then. The 18's can stay on and I'll keep the money in my wallet

[Trail-rat]

cooler than a penguins nackers. - even if it is a T4. - spoken as a VW h8ter

[darbeze]

cooler than a penguins nackers. - even if it is a T4. - spoken as a VW h8ter

That's a "LIKE" from me...

[Ian]

So what we're saying is, high profile is actually the new low profile?

[benp1]

I love this thread, it goes in so many random directions!

The bad thing I found with big rims and very low profile tyres, is that the rimmed get dinged easily. I often had 1 or 2 rims knocked back into shape at MOT time as the inner edge has hit speed cushions (there are loads in my area) or other similar road furniture and debris and caused the inner edge, which is very weak and is the least supported area, to take the brunt of hits like that

But they did look nice!

I'm still a fan of big rims on T5s, but I don't drive one, just look with envy

[Trail-rat]

i feel at this stage i should declare my situation

- my wheels



Of which my postman /yodel/Fedex guy brought most of over 2014-2015 :D

[Dr Nick]

I hope that red one's a syncro!! Looks fab.

Nice van Ian!

(From a previous '58 split screen owner (20 years ago) and a '83 t3/25 westy more recently...)