Tell your dealer to go read up some more. He needs to get his facts straight.

According to ElsaWin, 235/60R18 107T Pirelli Scorpion A/T is the recommended "off-road" tyre size for the Touareg on 18" wheels.

255/55R18 is the standard 18" tyre size.

 

Right again!

My info also includes the following "Winter" tire recommendation:

235/60 R18 107 H XL M+S on 8Jx18 ET57 Wheels

Recommended Tire Pressures (bar/psi/KPA) for this tire/wheel combination are:

Half Load: 2.7/39/270 Front 2.7/39/270 Rear
Full Load: 2.9/42/290 Front 3.2/46/320 Rear

 

Andriek whats the recommended size for 22'' rims?

 

VW does not recommend any 22" size for the Touareg

Largest "official" tire/wheel size recommended by VW is 295/35 R 21

 

just looked up the pirelli scorpion ice tire reader reviews on tire rack... they get excellent reviews...

 

You might also consider the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 4X4 tires:
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 4X4

I have used Blizzak tires on other vehicles before and they are a great winter tire.

HTH

 

Do not buy your tires at the dealer. Too expensive.
remember you need TPMS too or have it disabled or have alarmbells going off every day

 

they are charging $195 for pirelli scorpion ice...at the dealer sounds like a good price

 

I know for sure that one should not go wider than 275 on T-Reg, also outside diameter should not exceed 31.5", or it will rub on intercooler grills (where applicable).
I am in process of dressing up my 20" Porsche rims and best option for me: 265/50 R20, by Nitto Terra Grappler.
On the side note, I would generally stay away from Pirelli products, our cars have enough quirks at it is, no need for more headaches.

BTW, on my 18" Rims I have Yokohama Geolander tires and absolutely love them on snow, or heavy rain @ only ~$140 each.

 

Im into my second winter with my 255/55/18 Ice Scorpion's. They are a great winter tire. Good ice and snow traction and very quiet on dry pavment

 

I use 255/55/R18 General Grabber AT2's... It's an All-Terrain tire, I think it's the best compromise for street/snow/mud daily driving... 96,000km warranty on treadlife (especially good for our heavy Touaregs)... Their quiet on dry pavement, but I like how their 6 ply tough. Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels to get specs, but I bought them locally for hassle free convenience.

 

I have the 255/55 18 Nokian Hakkapeliita RSUV. You will not find a better winter tire. THe Pirelli Scorpion are OK at best, and I am amazed at their ranking on Tirerack, but remember Tirerack does not sell all brands, and not Nokian. THe Pirelli's SUCK bigtime in any significant snow. The Blizzaks are a MUCH better tire for this in my opinion. I have driven the Pirelli's for 3 seasons on a Q7, the Nokian on the Trag, and wife has the bridgestones on the Q5. If money is not an issue, go with the Nokians, otherwise go with the Blizzaks. You'll not be disappointed with either. The pirellis are great on ice, but over 4-6 inches forget about it....

 

The pirellis are great on ice, but over 4-6 inches forget about it....

I had the Ice & Snows on my 2004 V8. Now have Blizzaks on my 2008 V10, and completely agree.

 

What about good old 265 50 R20 Nitto Terra Grappler? Size is about the same as stock, but nothing bits Terra Grappler, supposedly.

 

While the Terra Grappler in this size is about the same diameter as the 265/65-17 Bridgestone Duelers I use for Off-Road (30.5" vs. 30.6"), they are not "about the same as stock."

The entire range of VW recommended tire sizes is less than 1" (28.6"-29.5") and the 265/50-20 Terra Grapplers are 1" larger than the largest recommended tire diameter (31.51").

They will fit, but not stock - and it would probably be a good idea to carry a full-size spare as well due to the difference in circumfrence between the inflatable spare and the Grapplers (bad juju for the drivetrain).

HTH

 

I'd like to try out the Nitto Terra Grapplers when my General AT2's wear out... It'll be along time before they do Though, I'm really happy with them, and work really well in wet/heavy/deep snow and mud. The Terra Grapplers look crazy.

 

I have Terra Grapplers (abeit in 255/55R18 size) and they are absolutely great in 2+" of snow but they do suck on ice as any other all season tire. Next year I'm planning on getting dedicated snow wheel/tires in 255/55R18 size and keep Terra Grapplers for summer offroad driving etc.

 

Finally, someone with real Terra Grappler experience, thank you.

 

No beaches in UT, huh? Well let me know if that ever changes. I'd love to hear how your tires handle the loose stuff.

 

I think you would be fine with that width since I believe that is what my father inlaw ran on his Jeeps. He used them on the beaches in Delaware and never got stuck. 245 is not that much narrower then the 255. I just went that route to go taller and not have to worry about rubbing.

 

I went from 235 to 265 and I couldn't believe the difference. Even though the 245 is a bit narrow for my liking, I suspect it would be ok in sand as it has a 70-profile. You might have to deflate a bit more to make proper use of the extra sidewall, but in the end you should end up with more or less the same foot-print.

 

Thanks Andrie. That's just the kind of info I need! It also jives with what I've found running 235 to 265 widths on beaches in mid- and full-size 4x4s.

Having air, I can (and prefer to) stay near stock diameter for improved performance and mileage. That seems to leave me with AT tire choices in 245/65 and 275/60.

A heavy Treg running 245/65s seems like it would struggle in sand, even with them aired all the way down. On the other hand, 275/60s should make easy work of sand with little/no airing down.

No doubt the 246/65s will be better in snow (as Yeti has found). But coupling 275/60s with the Treg's excellent powertrain should still yield pretty decent snow handling. The 275/60 is starting to look like a better compromise for my mix of conditions.--Chris

 

Forgot to mention tire chains. Did a quick search last night on The Find. Looked up 245/65, 255/60, 275/55, and 275/60R17. Pulled up at least three sources for each size. That's not to say all models will have the required wheel well (turn) clearance. But there at least appear to be some options for these sizes in the really deep stuff.

 

Be careful with the chains. I obviously know very little about these but here's my 2cw. I looked at buying a set for my 265/65's just before last year's Lesotho trip, but decided against it because of the capital layout for ONE trip. Later I realised that it would've been worthless anyway because there isn't enough clearance between the tyre and the bearing carrier (suspension upright).

I know you get those low-profile chains, but the only approved chain sizes for the Treg are 235/65R17, 235/60R18, 255/60R17 & 255/55R18. I suspect you might have serious difficulties with fitting chains on a 275 tyre. (Maybe we should have a look at the Cayenne's chain options...?)

If you want to make provision for chains, I think you'd have no option but to go for the 245, but then I'd rather go for the 70-profile Yeti's got. The 65 is going to hamper your performance in sand, which I think is what you are more concerned with.

Then again, there seem to be very few people here that actually DO fit chains on their Tregs, so maybe you should stick with the 275 choice and forget about the chains. (Easy for me to say, I know... )

Or go with the in-between 255/60R17...? (I'm not helping here, am I...?)

Also, keep in mind that the increase in foot print size when deflating is actually more due to an increase in foot print LENGTH than width. This means that a narrower tyre with a much larger profile can actaully end up having a bigger foot print than a wide tyre with a low profile. So there might be a smaller difference in sand performance between a 245/70 and 275/60 than what you expect.

 

Yeah, that inside clearance issue rings a bell. I guess it's wishful thinking that chains would fit on tires >255 width. But the Cayenne's options is an interesting idea worth looking into.

In the end though, chance's are almost nil that I'll ever need chains. Unless I'm planning to drive cross-country and run left coast mtn passes in winter (not bloody likely). Getting stuck locally on a narrow ocean beach on an incoming tide is a much more likely--and scary--scenario.

You're talking to a believer in the under-rated use of tall tires aired down in sand. But I'm just not ready to stray much from stock tire height. An AT in 255/60 would solve a lot of things. But the most agressive treads in this size are sticky AS or winter tires, both of which I'd probably beat to sh!t offroad.

So now I guess it's just a matter of sorting between the 3 ATs in 275/60 (Toyo Open Country, Yokohama Geolander & Sumitomo HTR Sport). :confused2:

 

Yo schubie-do,

I still have my stock 255/60R17 Goodyear LS2's on and I drive on the beach (Brigantine, New Jersey and Cape Hatteras) a lot. No problems with that size, whether I air down or not (depends on sand conditions). Never got close to being stuck even loaded down with five adults, beach chit, ice-filled cooler, and of course, my surf fishing gear. I believe the Tregs were bred for the beach. However, when I put new tires on I'm going with what Andrie has: 265/65/17 AT's. I have the steel suspension and want that little extra ground clearance for the beach and occasional trails. I know what you mean about the incoming tide. Yes it is, shall we say, unnerving. I know from experience.

Dave

 

Yo schubie-do,

I still have my stock 255/60R17 Goodyear LS2's on and I drive on the beach (Brigantine, New Jersey and Cape Hatteras) a lot. No problems with that size, whether I air down or not (depends on sand conditions). Never got close to being stuck even loaded down with five adults, beach chit, ice-filled cooler, and of course, my surf fishing gear. I believe the Tregs were bred for the beach. However, when I put new tires on I'm going with what Andrie has: 265/65/17 AT's. I have the steel suspension and want that little extra ground clearance for the beach and occasional trails. I know what you mean about the incoming tide. Yes it is, shall we say, unnerving. I know from experience.

Dave

Hey Dave--You're givin' me some hope I might not have to go with upsized tire width for local beaches. Being able to run without much airing down would be a plus too. (Living close to sea level, it's sometimes an unexpected neighborhood hazard. ) One of these days, we'll have to get together for a beer and some laughs. Thanks--Chris

 

Ah, don't leave out the Pirelli ATRs folks. Have had them in deep mud, deep snow, and on ice in just a month and am very impressed. The best secret is that they're dead quiet on the road and stick really well on dry and wet pavement. And, they even look good. The only jury still out on these to me is how long they will last but with a 520 UTQG . . . that shouldn't be a problem.

245/65/17 29.6" $151
255/65/17 30.1" $147
265/65/17 30.6" $170

You don't have to buy these "get a 2nd mortgage" 255/55/19s $233 ones that I have.

 

Ah, don't leave out the Pirelli ATRs folks. Have had them in deep mud, deep snow, and on ice in just a month and am very impressed. The best secret is that they're dead quiet on the road and stick really well on dry and wet pavement. And, they even look good. The only jury still out on these to me is how long they will last but with a 520 UTQG . . . that shouldn't be a problem.

Yeah, the ATR is one of the few rated 106+ in 245/65R17. Too bad that's the only size close to the stock 17" (no 275/55 or 275/60). We'll see whether the OE tires do well enough in the glacial sand beaches here to give the slightly narrower size a shot. Cheers

 

I said it before and I'll say it again...
Bridgestone Dueller A/T (D694)
Pirelli Scorpion ATR (The only one "approved" by VW.... FWIW...)
Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S

Toyo's are available here, but not in the size I wanted.
Sumitomo/Nitto/Nokian not available here, so I can't comment.

However, since yesterday morning, I now have other ideas...

 

Yeah, yeah, you're now drooling over those bare-knuckled mudders...

I'm a Bridgestone fan myself (have RE050A Pole Position on wife's A4 & run REVOs on work 4x4s). But none of their ATs I've seen here are rated 106+ in a near-stock size (bummer!).

As for Pirelli, I thought the 'approved' one was the A/T (more agressive than ATR, right?). Regardless, I do like the ATRs!

I ran a set of Yokohama M+S tires years ago and was pretty impressed with them. Like the Pirelli ATR, the Yoko A/T-S is one of the few tires in near stock sizes (245/65 and 275/60) to rate 106+. I also like that it can take up to 51 psi.

 

Someone uses 285/50/18?

 

Anybody got a picture of Touareg with RS-GT or LM BBS wheels in '18?

 

Tire Chains on 255/55R 18

I travel often to the mountains where CA Hwy Patrol at times require chains on all vehicles during bad weather -- Can anyone tell me if I can run low profile cables or chains on the front tires as recommended by the owners manual? Seems to be very little clearance between the tire and brake line. Back tires do not have this limitation.

 

Cable chains can be used for the 18" wheels.....but for information, although you are required to carry chains in chain control areas, CHP will generally shut down the roadway if it gets to the point where the roadway conditions require 4WD and AWD to chain up.....I carry them, have never used them except to try them and and make sure they fit...no rubbing issues, but you have to keep them tight on the wheel using the rubber adjusters....I used Cobra Tire Cables.....cannot speak for chains.....