The 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile sits squarely in the era when the Type 2 became more than a utility van and evolved into a true road-trip machine, valued today for its practical design, compact camping character, and unmistakable Volkswagen personality. Tire choice matters on a vehicle like this because ride quality, stance, and road manners all depend on staying close to the intended fitment. The 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile uses a 185R14 radial on a 14-inch rim. Within that size, there are blackwall and narrow whitewall options from Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein. The real decision is choosing the look and tire specification that best matches restoration goals and the way the Campmobile will be driven.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile
The 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile uses one primary tire size: 185R14, a radial fitment for a 14-inch rim. That same size carries across the covered Campmobile sub-model here, so the main choice is not between multiple primary sizes but between sidewall style, brand, and the specific tire characteristics that best suit a restoration-minded van or a regularly driven camper.
185R14 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 185 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters, R designates radial construction, and 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. This format is commonly associated with an 80-series profile, making it a natural fit for a 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile that already uses a radial tire. Available choices include blackwall and narrow whitewall designs from Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein, with series such as Michelin MXV and Sprint Classic. It is the right size to evaluate when the goal is to keep the Campmobile on its proper 14-inch fitment while choosing the appearance and specification that best suits the vehicle.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile sub-model here. The primary tire size remains consistent, so the buyer's attention can stay on sidewall style, brand preference, and wheel compatibility rather than sorting through different size combinations.
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1973 Volkswagen Campmobile (Type 2) Standard Tire Reinforced
The 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile (Type 2) Standard Tire Reinforced uses the same 185R14 radial fitment as the core vehicle. That keeps tire selection centered on choosing among the available radial options and confirming that the van still retains the correct 14-inch wheel setup.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile Tires for Sale
Available 185R14 choices for the 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile include Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein radials in blackwall and narrow whitewall styles. The product grid is where to compare series such as Michelin MXV and Sprint Classic, along with rim-width compatibility and other specification details.
Common questions for the 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile usually center on 185R14 fitment, 14-inch wheel compatibility, sidewall style choices, and how to choose among the available radial tires for restoration-minded use or regular road driving.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile?
The 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile uses a 185R14 radial tire. That is a Euro-metric radial size for a 14-inch wheel, and it is the primary fitment for the Campmobile covered here, including the Type 2 Standard Tire Reinforced sub-model.
Using the correct size keeps your search focused on the choices that actually matter, such as blackwall versus narrow whitewall appearance, brand, and tire series. It is still worth confirming that the van has its proper 14-inch wheels and has not been changed to a different wheel or suspension setup over the years.
What size rim does a 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile use?
The 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile uses a 14-inch rim with its 185R14 tire size. Product fitments in this size are built around that 14-inch wheel diameter, so rim diameter is a key part of getting the tire choice started correctly.
Wheel diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, especially on an older Type 2 that may have seen wheel swaps during its life. Before selecting a tire, check the actual wheel size on the vehicle and compare the wheel width against the specifications of the 185R14 tire you are considering.
What does 185R14 mean on a 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile?
On a 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile, 185R14 identifies a Euro-metric radial tire. The 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R means radial construction, and the 14 refers to the wheel diameter in inches.
That size format helps distinguish the Campmobile's fitment from older numeric bias-ply systems and from later low-profile metric sizes. In practical terms, it means you should be comparing 185R14 radial options that suit a 14-inch wheel, then narrowing the choice by sidewall styling, brand, and wheel-width compatibility.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185R14 tire for a 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile?
Start with the correct 185R14 size and radial construction, then compare the details that separate one option from another. For this Campmobile, those details include sidewall style, brand, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and product characteristics such as load specification where stated.
A blackwall tire gives a cleaner, more understated look, while a narrow whitewall can push the van toward a more restoration-oriented presentation. It also helps to confirm the actual wheel width on the vehicle, since available 185R14 products do not all share the exact same rim-width specification.
What sidewall styles are available for 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile tires?
The 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile has 185R14 tire choices in both blackwall and narrow whitewall styles. Blackwall options appear in the Michelin MXV and Vredestein Sprint Classic lines, while narrow whitewall choices are also available in 185R14.
That sidewall decision has a noticeable effect on the van's overall presentation even when the tire size stays the same. Buyers focused on a simple driver look may prefer blackwall, while a narrow whitewall can better suit a period-style exterior theme without changing the underlying 14-inch radial fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile?
Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein all offer 185R14 tires for the 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile. Within those brands, the available products include radial options such as Michelin MXV and Vredestein Sprint Classic, along with both blackwall and narrow whitewall treatments.
Brand choice is only one part of the decision, because the tire's sidewall appearance and wheel-width compatibility may matter just as much on a vintage Campmobile. A useful approach is to narrow the field by the look you want first, then compare the tire series and fitment details that match your actual wheels.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile?
A period-style 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile starts with the correct 185R14 radial size on a 14-inch wheel. From there, the choice usually comes down to whether a blackwall or narrow whitewall better matches the van's intended appearance, along with the brand and tire series that best suit the project.
A restoration-minded driver may favor a tire that preserves the Campmobile's traditional proportions rather than chasing a more modern low-profile look. When exact originality matters, compare your choice against marque-specific references and the vehicle's own history, since sidewall style alone does not automatically establish factory-level authenticity.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile?
Tire construction affects both appearance and presentation, but in this case the 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile already uses a radial 185R14 fitment. That means the visual differences come less from choosing between bias-ply and radial and more from selecting the right radial sidewall style and overall tire character.
A blackwall radial gives a restrained, functional look, while a narrow whitewall can add a more vintage visual accent without changing the base size. Keeping the correct proportions on the proper 14-inch wheel is usually more important to the finished appearance than chasing novelty in tread or sidewall treatment.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile even when the correct factory-size reference is 185R14. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension lowering, ride-height changes, or body modifications can all influence how a tire sits and clears the vehicle.
That is why it helps to inspect the actual setup before selecting a tire, especially on a vintage camper that may have been changed over decades of use. Confirm the wheel diameter first, then check width and visible clearance around steering, suspension, and body openings rather than assuming every 14-inch wheel is the same.
What should I inspect before driving a 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile on new tires?
Before driving a 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct size and condition, confirm proper mounting, and check tire pressure carefully. It is also smart to look over suspension and steering components, since worn parts can affect how a newly installed tire behaves on the road.
A vintage camper should also be checked for rubbing at full steering lock and under normal suspension movement. After the first few drives, recheck inflation pressure and give the tires a visual inspection for any unusual wear pattern, contact marks, or air loss so small setup issues can be caught early.
How should 185R14 tires on a collector 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile be maintained?
185R14 tires on a collector 1973 Volkswagen Campmobile should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and clean, dry storage habits. Low-use vintage vehicles often age tires by time and environment rather than by mileage, so sidewall condition can matter as much as tread depth.
Keep an eye out for cracking, bulges, cuts, flat spotting after storage, and any sign of slow air loss. Parking away from prolonged sunlight, ozone sources, and moisture helps preserve the tire, and occasional inspections of wheel condition and alignment can prevent wear issues that may not show up until a longer drive.
