VW T6 wheel sizes 17 to 20 inch: tyre load rating guide

The Problem

An owner ordering a T32 Kombi wanted to choose between 17, 18, 19, and 20-inch wheels but could not find a clear guide showing what actually fits. It also turned out that VW themselves were fitting 20-inch tyres that were not load-rated for the van, so the factory fitment is not a reliable guide on its own.

Solution

1. Identify whether your van is a T30 or T32 before buying any wheels or tyres — the minimum load rating differs between the two. A T30 requires a minimum tyre load rating (load index) of 101; a T32 requires a minimum of 103. This minimum applies at every wheel size below, so check the load index printed on the tyre sidewall against your van's figure before you order.

2. For 17-inch wheels, the common OEM-style fitment is 235/55 R17. Many passenger-car tyres in this size fall short of the load rating you need, so look for commercial (C-rated) or reinforced/XL van tyres and confirm the load index meets your van's minimum (101 for T30, 103 for T32). (verify part number and load rating before ordering)

3. For 18-inch wheels, the common OEM-style fitment is 255/45 R18. C-rated van tyres in this size commonly reach 101–103, but you must still check the printed load index against your van's minimum before buying. (verify part number and load rating before ordering)

4. For 20-inch wheels on a T30, choose 275/35 R20 (load rating 102) or 255/40 R20 (load rating 101) — both meet the T30 minimum.

5. For 20-inch wheels on a T32, you need a tyre with a load index of at least 103, and at the time of writing very few tyres in this size reach it — most premium and mid-range options stop short. Do not assume a tyre fits on size alone: filter your supplier's range by load index 103+ in 255/40 R20 or 275/35 R20 and have them confirm an in-stock, correctly load-rated tyre before committing to 20-inch wheels. (verify the load index of the specific tyre with your supplier before ordering — do not fit a tyre below 103 on a T32)

6. For 19-inch wheels on a T32, OEM Cantera 19-inch wheels with 245/45 R19 tyres are load-rated and fill the arch well. If the OEM Cantera wheel is unavailable, any 19-inch wheel of the correct offset will take the same 245/45 R19 tyre — the size is not specific to the OEM wheel — provided the tyre carries a load index of at least 103 and the wheel's offset and load rating suit the van. Confirm wheel offset and tyre load index with your supplier before ordering. (verify offset and load rating before ordering)

7. One confirmed T32 fitment with no rubbing: 8.5J front wheels with 245/45 R20 and 10J rear wheels with 275/40 R20, on a 30mm drop.