The 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile sits at the practical, end-of-an-era side of the Type 2 story, valued as much for road-trip character and camping utility as for its place in late air-cooled Volkswagen history. Owners often balance originality, usability, and the realities of modern driving when choosing tires for one. This Campmobile uses a 185R14 radial on a 14-inch rim, so the main decision is less about finding the right size and more about selecting the right version of it. Blackwall and narrow whitewall choices are available, along with Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein options, making it worth matching the tire's look and specification to your bus's intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile
The 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile uses one primary tire size: 185R14, and it is a radial fitment on a 14-inch rim. The covered Campmobile sub-model shares that same size, so the real decision is choosing among available radial options, sidewall styles, and product specifications rather than sorting through multiple primary fitments.
A 185R14 size is a Euro-metric radial format that uses a 185-millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. In this sizing style, the aspect ratio is not written into the code and is commonly associated with an 80-series profile family. For the 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile, this keeps the selection centered on proper radial fitment while still allowing meaningful choice in brand and appearance, including blackwall and narrow whitewall versions from Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein. It is the size to evaluate when balancing period-style presentation, wheel compatibility, and regular road use.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile sub-model. The key point is confirming that the vehicle matches the Campmobile configuration shown here, since the primary tire size remains consistent within that listing.
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1979 Volkswagen Campmobile (Type 2) Standard Tire Reinforced
The 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile (Type 2) Standard Tire Reinforced uses the same 185R14 radial fitment found across this page. That keeps the focus on choosing the right radial product, sidewall style, and wheel-compatible specification rather than sorting through multiple primary sizes.
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 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile Tires for Sale
Available 185R14 choices for the 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile include Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein radials in blackwall and narrow whitewall styles. The product grid is where to compare series, rim-width compatibility, tire attributes, weight, and load-related details within the same core size.
These 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile tire FAQs focus on the 185R14 fitment, 14-inch rim use, available radial choices, sidewall appearance, and the wheel, suspension, and condition checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile?
The 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile uses a 185R14 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this vehicle, and it is a Euro-metric radial size mounted on a 14-inch rim.
That means the first step is not choosing between several primary sizes, but confirming that the bus still has the correct 14-inch wheels and a Campmobile configuration matching this fitment. Once that is settled, the decision moves to brand, sidewall style, and product details such as rim-width range and load-related specifications.
What size rim does a 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile use?
The 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile uses a 14-inch rim with its 185R14 tire size. That rim diameter is the key wheel measurement tied directly to the primary tire fitment.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before buying tires, especially on an older bus that may have had wheel changes over the years. Wheel width also matters, since available 185R14 products carry their own rim-width ranges. Checking the actual wheels on the vehicle helps avoid problems with mounting, tire shape, or clearance.
What does 185R14 mean on a 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile?
On a 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile, 185R14 means a tire with a nominal section width of 185 millimeters, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. It is a Euro-metric radial format, so the aspect ratio is not written into the size code.
That size format can look unfamiliar to buyers more used to modern P-metric sizing, but it remains a straightforward vintage radial fitment. For this Campmobile, understanding the code helps separate the true primary size from later-style alternatives and keeps attention on wheel compatibility, sidewall appearance, and the intended use of the vehicle.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185R14 tire for a 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile?
Start with the correct 185R14 size and 14-inch rim compatibility, then compare the details that separate one radial from another. Available choices vary by brand, sidewall style, tire series, rim-width range, weight, and in some cases load information.
A buyer focused on a traditional bus presentation may lean toward blackwall or narrow whitewall appearance, while a road-use-minded owner may spend more time comparing the wheel specification and product construction details. Matching the tire to the actual wheel, the vehicle's condition, and how the Campmobile will be driven usually matters more than chasing a single name.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile tires?
The available 185R14 tires for a 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile come in blackwall and narrow whitewall styles. That gives owners a choice between a more understated sidewall and a brighter period-style appearance.
Sidewall style does not change the need to keep the correct core size and wheel fitment, but it does shape how the bus presents visually. A blackwall can suit a cleaner, simpler look, while a narrow whitewall can add more vintage character. It helps to choose the appearance after confirming the wheel dimensions and the overall use of the vehicle.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile?
Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein all offer 185R14 tires for the 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile. Within those brands, the available choices include different sidewall presentations and tire-series distinctions rather than different primary fitment sizes.
That makes brand comparison part of a broader selection process instead of a simple yes-or-no fitment question. It is worth looking at whether a tire is blackwall or narrow whitewall, whether it falls within the wheel's width range, and whether its load-related details align with the vehicle's setup and intended driving use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile?
For a period-style 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile, the right starting point is the correct 185R14 radial size. From there, the choice usually comes down to whether a blackwall or narrow whitewall better suits the bus's presentation and how closely the owner wants the tire's appearance to reflect a traditional late Type 2 look.
A restoration-oriented owner should treat size and construction as the foundation, then evaluate brand and sidewall style as appearance choices. When exact historical accuracy matters, it is wise to compare the tire decision against marque references, surviving vehicle evidence, and era-specific photos rather than assuming any current sidewall treatment is automatically original to the vehicle.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile restoration because the tire has a major effect on stance, visual balance, and overall authenticity of presentation. Using the proper 185R14 radial size keeps the restoration grounded in the vehicle's intended fitment format.
Appearance is only part of the equation. The correct size also helps keep wheel compatibility and clearance decisions on track, especially if the bus has seen decades of maintenance changes. Even on a cosmetic restoration, it is worth confirming the actual rim dimensions and selecting a tire whose sidewall style supports the finished look without drifting from the proper fitment.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile even when the intended tire size remains 185R14. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, brake conversions, or body work can all change how a tire sits and clears the vehicle.
An older Campmobile should never be judged by size code alone if its setup has changed over time. Wheel diameter and width need to be verified, and clearance should be checked at the fenders and through steering and suspension movement. Those steps become especially important when replacing tires on a bus with an unknown modification history.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile on new tires?
Before driving a 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm proper mounting, and check inflation, valve stems, and any signs of rubbing or uneven seating. It also helps to look over suspension and steering components that can affect how the tire tracks.
A short initial road test is a smart follow-up on a vintage bus. Listen for contact, watch for vibration, and recheck pressure after the first drive. Since collector vehicles often sit for long periods, it is also worth inspecting older spare tires and making sure the Campmobile is not relying on aged rubber elsewhere in the package.
How should 185R14 tires on a collector 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile be maintained?
185R14 tires on a collector 1979 Volkswagen Campmobile should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and attention to age-related deterioration as much as tread wear. Cracking, bulges, cuts, flat spotting, and slow air loss all matter on a vehicle that may spend long stretches parked.
Storage conditions make a difference on low-use vintage vehicles. Keeping the bus away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help protect the tires between drives. It is also wise to inspect them before each outing rather than assuming low mileage means low risk, especially on a heavy, road-trip-oriented vehicle like a Campmobile.
