I think general consensus is that 265/65R18 is the biggest you can go without issues. Except of course if you have the full size spare carrier. Then 255/55R18 is the biggest.

Search the Running gear section for plenty info on tyres.

PS. You don't have to SHOUT. We're just behind your PC screen...

 

On your V10 you have to watch the intercooler vents on the inside of the front wheel wells so you don't rub them when turning. That would be the main clearance issue you have to worry about on the V10.

 

While some will tell you that 265/65 R18 will fit on a V10, I disagree. Like yeti says, the tires rub on the intercooler vents, I had them mounted and they rubbed alot. The 265/60 is a prefect size, as it doesn't rub in any position.

I do like the look of the bigger tire but it is not why I went bigger. I like the increase in ground clearance for snow as will as having a taller sidewall for offroading.

Linder

 

265/60/18 on my V8 They will fit on the V10 also. Linder has this size too running on his v10

 

Those you running plus-sizes on your 18's; what was your reasoning for going that route?
a. Needed a different size to get to a A/T or M/T rated tread for more off-roading?
b. Simply wanted a different look?
c. Needed even more axel to ground clearance at the hubs? (read: taller tire)
d. other?

 

The answer for me is mostly B
It fills up the wheel wells nicely

 

I run plus sizes on my 17"s because I don't have air and want more clearance for off roading. Could care less about appearance of wheel well gap.

 

+1

Only problem is you lose all of it again when you deflate in the soft stuff.

 

I will check,thanks a million.

 

I ran a 275/55/19 on my v10. I felt it gave the Touareg a beefier look and with the v10 I got better MPG. They would rub just a little when backing up.

 

Islander, what tires are you running? I want to put a set of 275/55/19 on my stock Terra wheels but there are only 3 or 4 brands in that size. I am leaning towards the Continentals but they have some price tag and the reviews are only so so. Any pics!

 

Oh absolutely!!!

Oversized rubber is a necessity in sand IMO. Not only does the footprint get wider, it also gets longer when deflating.

The problem I experienced was that I'd get "hung up" on a dune if I'm not careful and I believe air susp would've helped here.

Sucks having to be recovered by a Landie, but at least it's a good mate of mine.

 

Not only does the footprint get wider, it also gets longer when deflating.

'Lucky' to live in a place where one gets to drive in sand and snow, I'm interested in finding whether there's a width/aspect sweet spot for 17s between these conditions.

I like the idea of 245/65s providing more AT options and better snow performance. But I wonder if the longer footprint of the 65 vs. 60 series makes up for the 1 cm loss of width from the 255 OEMs, particularly on the beach. (70s appear to be a questionable option for my ordered TDI.)

The alternatives in the 265/60 (or 275/60) series might not in themselves reduce snow traction much. But I think the tread options here don't include as many severe snow/AT options.

 

schubie, interesting comments. I know nothing about driving in snow. Never done it. Going to go look for snow in Lesotho in 3 weeks. Very excited!!! :dance: I'd be interested to hear what you find...

.V10TDI, that trip was 6 days, 650km through the desert. Gas at the start and gas at the end. These pics were taken about 250km into the journey. I made an auxiliary fuel tank that fits in the spare wheel well. Managed to get an extra 40 litres in there. I left with a full tank, full aux tank, plus 2 jerry cans in the back. Total of 180 litres. I had one jerry can left at the end... And I have an R5... And I had the best fuel consumtion of everyone...

The Landie is a V8 Series I. He used 240 litres...

 

schubie, interesting comments. I know nothing about driving in snow. Never done it. Going to go look for snow in Lesotho in 3 weeks. Very excited!!! :dance: I'd be interested to hear what you find...

There's such a wealth of institutional knowledge here, so I suspect the answers are within our reach.

Realisticly, the 255/60-17 size was probably deemed by VW engineers as the best compromise under most conditions. Too bad we have essentially no ATs and just a couple of severe-snow-rated all weathers in this size.

 

Schubie, I am currently running a 245/70/17 on my Treg and that size actually puts the speedo dead on. I ran the 246/65/17 previously and it was not a bad option either. I went with the smaller width due to snow and wider tires tend to float rather then dig in. I am just not a fan of wide tires on snow. They may work great for sand, but I never drive in that so it is not a concern of mine.

 

Thanks, I had you in mind when I mentioned the 245s earlier. But I remember reading somewhere (here?) that 70 series tires to rub (or nearly so) on the V6 TDI's intercoolers too. As a result, the 245/65-17 would probably be the tallest I'd consider.

I'm curious to hear if anyone ever runs 245/65-17s in sand. Honestly, I think they might do fine. Tire height/aspect seems to be under-rated by many in these conditions.

The best recovery vehicle I've seen on the beach has been a farm tractor. The tall rear tires (deflated somewhat?) seemed to act like caterpillar treads in the sand.

 

schubie, my car came standard with 235/65R17's. Worthless in the sand!!! Maybe I went a little overboard with the 265's, but finding myself in sand quite often and NEVER in snow, I don't think I could've picked a better tyre for my application.

Same as Yeti, my speedo is also now spot-on with the 265/65's, but he has a V6 and I have an R5. Drivetrain is completely different.

Since the 245 seems to be the better choice for snow, I'd rather go for the 70 profile. This will at least give you the ability to deflate and get a decent foot print in sand.

So I suppose what you need to confirm is if the 245/70R17 will interfere with the vents on the V6TDi...?

FYI, theoretically my 265/65's are 1.5mm in diameter bigger than Yeti's 245/70's. That is 776.3mm vs. 774.8mm (Hopefully siberian won't see this, else his going to give me grief again on the fractions of mm.) :grin:

 

schubie, my car came standard with 235/65R17's. Worthless in the sand!!! Maybe I went a little overboard with the 265's, but finding myself in sand quite often and NEVER in snow, I don't think I could've picked a better tyre for my application...

Same as Yeti, my speedo is also now spot-on with the 265/65's, but he has a V6 and I have an R5. Drivetrain is completely different.

Since the 245 seems to be the better choice for snow, I'd rather go for the 70 profile. This will at least give you the ability to deflate and get a decent foot print in sand.

So I suppose what you need to confirm is if the 245/70R17 will interfere with the vents on the V6TDi...?

FYI, theoretically my 265/65's are 1.5mm in diameter bigger than Yeti's 245/70's. That is 776.3mm vs. 774.8mm (Hopefully siberian won't see this, else his going to give me grief again on the fractions of mm.) :grin:

I hear ya on the 235s. My '92 Dakota came with ATs in 235/75-15, and could be dicey in sand without airing down. But it was unstoppable in mud and snow. So where's the best compromise?

Yeti and probably others rate the Treg better with 245s than with 265s in snow. (I assume in an apples-to-apples comparison--between AT/snow treads available in these sizes.) I've had 265 ATs and then TripleTreads on a Durango, that while pretty good in snow just didn't have the grip of the Dakota's 235s.

As for fitting 70s on the V6 TDI, I went back and searched the forums here and on vortex. The post that addressed this (which I thought I remembered) was Arkarch's V6 TDI test drive (http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/showpost.php?p=153668&postcount=1). But the focus here was on 265/65 vs. 265/70.

So I guess 245/70-17s could be doable on the V6 TDI. Based on the numbers above, it looks like they should fit. With the right AT tread, this might be the 'sweet spot' for snow and sand.

Now we just need Yeti or someone else with them to find some sand to play in.

--Chris

 

Unless those vents stick out really far I don't see the 245/70/17 being an issue. I have all sorts of room in the front fender wells on my Treg.

AndrieK, your tires are really not that much taller then mine. Wider yes, taller not so much.

 

AndrieK, your tires are really not that much taller then mine. Wider yes, taller not so much.

Like I said, 1.5mm taller... That's a full 1/32" in dia. and a whopping 1/64" more ground clearance... Whoopie...

 

My Continental CrossContact UHP

295/40/20 are 29.3 " tall 12" wide and clear no problem

 

I have the whole west desert out side of SLC, but it is too damn hot to go there and I really have no interest in driving out that way. I could possibly give it a shot in late fall, but I am thinking you don't want to wait that long.

 

The boat with my Treg won't be in until the fall. Even then, I'll probably run on OE tires for some time.

But any info. that can gained from 'research' on tire size vs. app. will benefit all of us, no matter when/where it's done. (Just don't send us a bill for any recovery.)

 

Another few pics if it helps anyone. Blizzak 265/60/18

 

I already have a set of winter tires on stock 18 rims..Now I bought nice looking 20 inch q7 rims for my touareg and I want to buy wide summer sporty looking tires..Can you guys give me some recommendations?I will you use 20's in extreme hot conditions like arabian deserts..Would be nice if the tire is also good at rain..

 

Hi everyone,
I got 2007 v6 with 275/40/20
And got 22" alloys.
Question is what tyre I can still fit without rubbing?

 

You need to consider a lot more than just the rim diameter..... do you know the rest of the specs?

 

HI FELLOWS,I JUST BOUGHT AN 06 V10 TDI AND WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT IF A SET OF 265/60 18 WOULD REPLACE THE FACTORY SET OF 255/55/18 BECAUSE OF THE HEIGHT DIFFERENCE OF 1.5 INCHES BRINGING IT TO A HEIGHT OF 30.5 INCHES FACTORY IS 29 INCHES.
ANY HELP REALY WOULD BE APPRECIATET LOOKING AT TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A/T'S.
THANKS?:?:

 

I was just reading a conversation on this in this forum. You might read through the previous posts. I know its in here. I just came across it.