1987 Dodge Vans Tire Fitment Guide

1987 Dodge Vans use eight sizes across four models. The B150 uses 195/75R15, 205/75R15, 225/75R15, and 235/75R15 on 15-inch wheels; the B250 uses 225/75R15 and 235/75R15 on 15-inch wheels; the B350 uses 225/75R16 and 245/75R16 on 16-inch wheels; and the Mini Ram uses 195/75R14 and 205/75R14 on 14-inch wheels. Rim width ranges vary by size, with examples including 5-7 inches for 195/75R15, 6-8 inches for 225/75R15, 6.5-8.0 inches for 245/75R16, 5.00-7.00 inches for 195/75R14, and 5.50-7.50 inches for 205/75R14.

The practical takeaway is that year and make alone are not enough for a 1987 Dodge Vans tire search. You need the exact model first, because Mini Ram, B-series half-ton and three-quarter-ton vans, and B350 one-ton vans split across three different wheel diameters. Once the model is confirmed, compare the actual wheel on the van against the matching size family and then narrow by sidewall style, load rating, and intended use.

On a 1987 Dodge Vans tire, 195/75R15 is a metric radial code. The 195 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, the R identifies radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. In the 1987 Dodge Vans range, that size belongs to the B150 and mounts on 15-inch wheels, with products fitting rim widths around 5 to 7 inches where rim-width guidance is published.

Understanding that code helps separate wheel diameter from tire width. A B150 owner looking at 195/75R15 should treat it as one of several possible 15-inch sizes, not as a universal fitment for every Dodge van that year. It is also worth checking the sidewall treatment, since that size appears with narrow and wide whitewall versions, which can change the finished look of a restoration or cruiser.

No, 1987 Dodge Vans models do not use the same tire size. The compact Mini Ram uses only 14-inch sizes, the B150 and B250 use 15-inch sizes, and the B350 uses 16-inch sizes. Even within the full-size vans, the B150 spans four sizes while the B250 uses only the two wider 15-inch options shared with the B150, and the B350 moves into heavier 16-inch fitments entirely.

That model split matters because the wrong wheel diameter stops the process before sidewall style or brand even enters the conversation. If your van has changed hands over the years, verify the tire size on the sidewall and compare it with the actual wheel diameter before choosing a replacement. On older vans, wheel swaps are common enough that a quick check can save a costly mistake.

1987 Dodge Vans tires come in several sidewall styles depending on size. Whitewall treatments dominate the 14- and 15-inch passenger-oriented sizes, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions available across many B150, B250, and Mini Ram fitments. Goldline appears in 205/75R15, and RWL appears in 235/75R15 plus both B350 16-inch sizes. That means the sidewall look can shift from classic passenger-van style to a more truck-like appearance depending on the size and product family.

For an era-correct late-1980s van look, many owners lean toward modest whitewall treatments on conversion-style or passenger-focused builds, while RWL tends to suit utility, off-road-flavored, or heavy-duty presentations better. The right choice is less about fitment than visual character once the correct size is confirmed. Pick the proper size first, then choose the sidewall that matches how your van is being restored or driven.

Five brands cover 1987 Dodge Vans tire sizes: Coker Classic, American Classic, BFGoodrich, Tornel, and Maxxis. Brand coverage depends on size. The smaller and mid-range 14- and 15-inch sizes lean toward Coker Classic, American Classic, Tornel, and Maxxis whitewall radials, while BFGoodrich appears in both classic-style radial form and in All-Terrain T/A KO2 fitments for 235/75R15, 225/75R16, and 245/75R16.

Brand choice usually follows the look and use of the van more than the Dodge badge itself. A Mini Ram or passenger-oriented B150 may point you toward whitewall-focused offerings, while a B350 owner often ends up in BFGoodrich truck-type fitments because that is where the 16-inch heavy-duty coverage sits. Once the correct size is identified, compare the sidewall style and load rating before deciding which brand fits the project best.

For 1987 Dodge Vans, BFGoodrich and Coker Classic often serve different roles within the same general size range. In 225/75R15, BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and Coker Classic Star Series both offer wide whitewall versions, but Coker Classic carries a higher published load figure at 2,094 pounds at 32 psi versus 1,874 pounds at 35 psi for the BFGoodrich example. In 235/75R15, BFGoodrich appears as an RWL All-Terrain T/A KO2 with an S speed rating and 1,985 pounds at 50 psi, while Coker Classic offers a wide whitewall radial at 2,271 pounds at 32 psi.

That split means the comparison is really about style and application. BFGoodrich can point toward a more truck-oriented sidewall and, in some sizes, a visible speed rating, while Coker Classic stays focused on period-style whitewall presentation. If your van is built around a classic passenger or conversion look, the whitewall route usually makes the most visual sense; if the goal is a utility or all-terrain appearance, the BFGoodrich truck-style option may be the closer match.

Rim width depends on the exact 1987 Dodge Vans tire size. Published ranges include 5-7 inches for 195/75R15, 5.50-7.50 inches for 205/75R15, 6.00-8.00 inches or 6-7.5 inches for 225/75R15 depending on product, 6.00-8.50 inches for some 235/75R15 products, 6.0-7.0 inches for 225/75R16, 6.5-8.0 inches for 245/75R16, 5.00-7.00 inches for 195/75R14, and 5.50-7.50 inches for 205/75R14. Some products within the same size carry slightly different approved width ranges.

That is why wheel verification matters even after you have the right nominal size. On an older van, replacement wheels may not match the original width, and a tire that fits the diameter may still sit better on one wheel width than another. Match the wheel you have to the approved range for the specific tire you are considering instead of assuming every product in a given size behaves identically.

The 1987 Dodge Vans sizes covered here are modern radial sizes, and none of the size markings show tube-type construction. The products use standard metric radial sizing such as 195/75R14, 225/75R15, and 245/75R16 without TT markings, which is consistent with tubeless-style fitments on wheels designed for that use. Tube use is therefore not the baseline expectation for these sizes.

The important check is the wheel, not just the tire. If your van still uses its original wheels in sound condition, a tubeless radial setup is usually the expected direction for this era, but damaged rims or unusual aftermarket wheels can change the picture. Inspect the wheel condition, valve stem area, and bead seat before mounting fresh tires, especially on a van that has spent years in storage.

Original 1987 Dodge Vans wheels cannot be treated as interchangeable across all tire sizes because the model range uses 14-, 15-, and 16-inch diameters. A Mini Ram wheel will not take B150 or B250 sizes, and a B350 wheel will not take the 14- or 15-inch sizes used elsewhere in the lineup. Even within the same diameter group, approved rim widths vary by size and sometimes by product.

Within a single model family, the original wheel may work with more than one factory-size option if the wheel width falls inside the approved range for the tire you choose. That is most relevant on the B150, which spans four 15-inch sizes. Before changing widths within the same wheel diameter, confirm both the wheel width and the intended tire's approved range rather than assuming all same-diameter options are direct swaps.

A 1987 Dodge Vans should be stored out of direct sunlight, away from ozone-producing equipment such as motors or battery chargers, and clear of standing moisture that can age rubber and steel wheels. Keep the tires properly inflated, roll the van periodically so one contact patch is not carrying the load for months at a time, and use clean dry flooring or barriers between the tires and bare concrete when possible. Collector vans that sit for long periods benefit from movement or weight relief more than constant static storage.

That matters because vans are heavy vehicles, and even radial tires can take a temporary set if they sit neglected. If the van will be parked for a season, a short drive every few weeks is often better than letting it remain untouched until spring. Storage care protects the tire investment, but it also preserves ride quality and reduces the chance of discovering cracking or pressure loss the day you want to use the van.

Tire life on a 1987 Dodge Vans is usually judged by age and condition rather than by mileage alone, because many older vans are used occasionally. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires carefully once they reach the 5- to 7-year range and to treat around 10 years from the DOT date code as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of tread depth. Sidewall cracking, hardening, repeated air loss, and irregular wear can move that timeline earlier.

That approach is especially important on collector or hobby vehicles that may look fine at a glance because they have covered relatively few miles. The date code and a close visual inspection tell a more complete story than tread depth by itself. If the van has older tires of unknown age, checking those dates should be one of the first maintenance steps before regular driving resumes.

Tires on a 1987 Dodge Vans should be inspected before every drive and more carefully before any extended outing. Look for cracking at the sidewall and tread edge, cuts, bulges, embedded objects, uneven wear, and slow pressure loss. On heavier models such as the B350, keeping an eye on inflation matters even more because load-carrying tires react quickly to underinflation when the van is carrying passengers, gear, or camping equipment.

A quick walkaround catches most problems early, while a hands-on inspection every few weeks is wise for a van that sits between uses. Include valve stems, the inside sidewall where visible, and the spare tire in that routine. When a van is expected to cover highway miles, checking pressure cold before departure is one of the simplest and most valuable habits you can build.

1987 Dodge Vans tires can be suitable for highway driving when the correct size, load capacity, inflation, and overall condition are matched to the van. The sizes here are all radial, and the products with visible speed markings carry S ratings, which correspond to a 112 mph ceiling in 235/75R15, 225/75R16, and 245/75R16 examples. That is far above normal U.S. highway speeds, but highway safety still depends heavily on age, inflation, alignment, and whether the tire's load capability matches how the van is used.

The van itself also sets the real-world comfort limit. A tall, older Dodge van with age-appropriate suspension, brakes, and steering may feel less secure at speed than the tire's speed rating alone would suggest. Treat the speed symbol as a ceiling, not a target, and make sure the full chassis is ready for the trip instead of focusing on the tire in isolation.

Inflation pressure for 1987 Dodge Vans tires should start with the vehicle's factory recommendation for the exact model and loading condition, then be checked against the tire's own maximum load and pressure marking. Published tire figures include 1,477 pounds at 32 psi for some 195/75R15 products, 1,598 pounds at 35 psi for some 205/75R15 products, 2,094 pounds at 32 psi for some 225/75R15 products, 1,985 pounds at 50 psi for one 235/75R15 truck-style product, 2,680 pounds at 80 psi for 225/75R16, and 3,042 pounds at 80 psi for 245/75R16.

Those numbers are not universal running pressures for every 1987 Dodge van. They show the load-pressure relationship of specific tires, and one size or product should not have its pressure copied to another. The right method is to verify the van's original recommendation, consider the actual load being carried, and then make sure the chosen tire is being used within its own rated limits.

Before a longer drive in a 1987 Dodge Vans, inspect every tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and correct cold inflation pressure. Check the valve stems, confirm that tread depth is even across the axle, and make sure the spare is present and serviceable. On a van, tire condition is only one part of the pre-trip picture, but it is one of the easiest areas to inspect before setting out.

Because these vans are decades old, it is wise to pair the tire check with a broader mechanical review that includes brakes, wheel bearings, steering play, fluids, belts, and lighting. Vans often sit for stretches and then return to service for vacations or event travel, which can expose old rubber and deferred maintenance quickly. A careful pre-drive inspection lowers stress and helps the trip feel as dependable as the van looks.