The 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan helped define the front-wheel-drive minivan formula that reshaped family transportation in the 1980s. Practical packaging, easy road manners, and everyday utility made it a very different vehicle from the full-size wagons and vans that came before it. Tire fitment for the 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan centers on three primary radial sizes: 195/75R14, 205/70R14, and 195/75R15, so the first step is matching the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. From there, the choice often comes down to whitewall width, blackwall or lettered appearance, and the overall character you want the van to carry on the road or in a preservation-minded presentation.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan
Three tire sizes apply to the 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan, and they are not all tied to the same wheel diameter. Both 14-inch and 15-inch rims appear across the covered sub-models, so confirming the actual wheel diameter on the van is the first step before choosing a tire. After that, selection comes down to the exact size used by the sub-model and the appearance options available within that radial fitment.
195/75R14 is a metric radial size in which 195 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan, this size keeps you in a modern radial format that suits the vehicle’s original-era driving character. Available choices include Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar, with both wide whitewall and narrow whitewall presentations across several series. It is a strong size to evaluate when the van uses a 14-inch wheel and the goal is a stock-type stance with flexibility in sidewall appearance.
205/70R14 is also a metric radial size, with a 205 millimeter nominal width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. For the 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan, it represents another 14-inch fitment path, but with a different section and profile than 195/75R14. Product choices broaden the look considerably, including narrow whitewall, blackwall, raised white letter, redline, and dual redline styles from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. This is the size to assess carefully when the van already uses the corresponding 14-inch wheel and the desired look extends beyond a traditional whitewall presentation.
195/75R15 follows the same metric radial format, using a 195 millimeter nominal width and 75-series profile, but it is built for a 15-inch rim rather than a 14-inch wheel. On the 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan, that makes wheel-diameter confirmation especially important before moving forward with any tire choice. Available options include Coker Classic and American Classic, with both narrow and wide whitewall treatments in Star Series and American Classic Radial lines. This size deserves attention when the van is equipped with 15-inch wheels and the owner wants a traditional sidewall style without leaving the radial construction family.
Sub-model fitment is not completely uniform on the 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan, because some versions can use more than one tire size and both 14-inch and 15-inch rim diameters appear. Checking the exact sub-model still matters, but confirming the wheel diameter on the vehicle is just as important before selecting a tire.
1
1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan Base
The 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan Base uses 14-inch radial tire fitments, with 195/75R14 and 205/70R14 both associated with this sub-model. That makes wheel and current size verification the key step, followed by choosing the sidewall style and tire series that best match the van’s intended appearance and use.
The 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan LE spans both 14-inch and 15-inch radial fitments, so it carries the widest size spread of the covered sub-models. Tire selection starts with confirming whether the van is on 14-inch or 15-inch wheels, then narrowing the choice by size and the available whitewall, blackwall, or performance-style sidewall treatments.
The 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan SE also appears with both 14-inch and 15-inch radial tire sizes, making exact wheel confirmation essential before comparing products. Once the wheel diameter and present size are verified, the decision becomes more about appearance, tire series, and whether the van is being kept in a family-hauler style or given a more period-custom look.
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 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan tire choices span Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic. Across the three radial sizes, the main comparison points are wheel diameter, tire series, and sidewall style, including narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, blackwall, raised white letter, redline, and dual redline options.
Showing 6 of 14
Radial Tires
Coker Classic Star Series | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 195/75R14
Owners usually need to sort out three things on a 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan: which of the three radial sizes belongs on the van, whether it has 14-inch or 15-inch wheels, and which sidewall style best suits the vehicle’s use and appearance.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan?
The 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan uses three radial tire sizes: 195/75R14, 205/70R14, and 195/75R15. The Base sub-model uses the two 14-inch sizes, while the LE and SE can use either of the 14-inch sizes or the 15-inch 195/75R15, depending on the wheel setup on the van.
That means tire selection starts with confirming both the sub-model and the actual wheel diameter currently on the vehicle. A Caravan that has been kept original, changed over time, or fitted with different wheels should be checked at the rim before choosing a tire, because the 14-inch and 15-inch sizes are not interchangeable simply because they are all correct-era radial options.
What size rim does a 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan use?
A 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan can use either a 14-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on the sub-model and the tire size on the vehicle. The 195/75R14 and 205/70R14 sizes use 14-inch rims, while the 195/75R15 size uses a 15-inch rim.
Rim diameter should be verified directly on the van before ordering tires, especially on LE and SE models that can appear with more than one wheel size. A quick visual assumption is not enough, because a 14-inch tire and a 15-inch tire may look similar at a glance while requiring completely different fitment and product choices.
Do all 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the sub-models do not all use one single tire size. The Base is associated with 195/75R14 and 205/70R14, while the LE and SE can use 195/75R14, 205/70R14, or 195/75R15, which brings both 14-inch and 15-inch wheel fitments into the picture.
That variation matters because the right tire is determined by the exact sub-model and the wheel diameter actually on the van today. Owners of LE and SE models should be especially careful not to assume that all versions use the same setup, particularly if the vehicle has changed hands, had wheel replacements, or has spent years in collector or occasional-use service.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan tire?
Start with the basics: the correct tire size, the correct rim diameter, and the radial construction used on the 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan. Once those points are confirmed, compare the available options by intended appearance, brand, sidewall style, tire series, and any rim-width or load details that matter for the way the van is driven.
A family-use survivor, a preserved original-style van, and a period-themed custom can all point toward different choices even within the same size. It helps to confirm the wheel dimensions on the vehicle, decide whether a whitewall or blackwall presentation suits the van, and compare product specifications closely rather than choosing only by size code.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan vary by tire size and include wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, blackwall, raised white letter, redline, and dual redline. Those styles are spread across the three applicable sizes, so the appearance options depend partly on whether the van uses a 14-inch or 15-inch rim.
That variety lets an owner lean toward a clean stock-style look, a more upscale whitewall presentation, or a more overt late-1980s performance look. Appearance should still come after fitment, so the best approach is to confirm the exact size on the van first and then narrow the choices to the sidewall treatment that matches the vehicle’s intended character.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan?
Tires for the 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan are available from Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic. Brand availability depends on size, so not every brand appears in every fitment, and the 14-inch and 15-inch options do not share the same full product mix.
Brand is only one part of the decision. It should be compared alongside sidewall style, tire series, rim-width compatibility where stated, and the overall look you want on the van. A buyer choosing among whitewall radials for a preserved Caravan may weigh the options differently than someone looking at a 205/70R14 with blackwall, redline, or raised white letter styling.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan?
A period-style 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan starts with the tire size and wheel diameter already on the van, then narrows from there by sidewall presentation. Whitewall radials are available in both 14-inch and 15-inch fitments, making them natural choices for an owner who wants a traditional late-1980s family-vehicle appearance without moving away from the correct construction type.
The exact whitewall width and tire series can influence the finished look more than many owners expect. Narrow whitewalls can feel understated, while wider whitewalls create a more pronounced visual statement. When originality matters beyond general era flavor, it is worth comparing the van to period photos, dealer literature, or marque-specific references before settling on one style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan?
On a 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan, construction changes appearance less dramatically than on an earlier collector vehicle because the primary fitments are already radial. The visual difference usually comes more from sidewall style, tire series, and profile choice within the correct size than from any shift between bias-ply and radial construction.
That makes the restoration-oriented decision more about presentation than about converting tire type. A wide whitewall can give the van a more formal look, while blackwall, raised white letter, redline, or dual redline options push it in a different visual direction. Staying with the correct size and wheel diameter helps preserve the proportions that make the van look right.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan?
Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, ride-height adjustments, brake conversions, or bodywork changes can alter the wheel diameter, wheel width, and the clearance available around the tire, even when the van began with one of the original-era radial sizes.
That is why a modified Caravan should be checked at the vehicle rather than matched by year and model alone. Measuring the current wheel diameter and width, then looking at steering clearance and fender space, helps prevent ordering a tire that is correct for a stock setup but unsuitable for the van as it sits today.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and visible damage, confirm the tires are seated properly, and check inflation pressure. It is also wise to look over suspension and steering components, since worn parts can affect how a newly installed radial tire tracks and wears on the road.
A practical road-use check should also include sidewall and tread clearance at full steering lock, plus a careful look for air loss after installation. On an older van that sees occasional use, it helps to recheck lug torque, watch for vibration on the first drive, and make sure the tire choice matches the wheel setup actually installed on the vehicle.
How should tires on a collector 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1987 Dodge Minivans Caravan should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and air loss, and protected from long periods of heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. Because many surviving minivans are driven infrequently, age and storage conditions can matter as much as tread depth.
Regular checks are especially important after the van has been parked for extended periods. Rolling the vehicle occasionally, maintaining clean wheel and tire surfaces, and inspecting before each outing can help catch condition issues early. A Caravan that still appears to have plenty of tread may still need attention if the rubber shows age-related deterioration or persistent pressure loss.
