Date:         Fri, 17 Mar 2000 18:36:02 -0700
Reply-To:     Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject:      Re: tires and load ranges
Comments: To: Mike Miller <mwm@LANSET.COM>

Hi Mike,

GVW on a Westy is around 5200 lbs.

Karl Wolz
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Miller" <mwm@LANSET.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, March 17, 2000 6:19 PM
Subject: tires and load ranges


> I have followed the many posts on tires and load range since I've been on
> the list.  Something I don't understand but maybe it's my assumptions that
> are wrong.  I 'thought' [in quotes because sometimes I don't think] that
the
> vans weigh around 4000 lbs.  If that's true then the load range is no
> different than a passenger car.  My brother has a F*rd that weighs about
> that and uses about the same size tires, as recommended by the
manufacturer.
> So either the vans weigh much more than I thought, or this load range
thing
> is not pertinent.
>
> Any listees with real information on van weights?
>
> Mike
> '85 Westy
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: BRENT CHRISTENSEN <bchristensen@INFOGENESIS.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, March 17, 2000 2:21 PM
> Subject: Re: slashed tires, used tires
>
>
> > Douglas:
> >
> > PLEASE be careful of the load range of whatever tire you end up with.
> > Regular passenger tires are not built to handle the load of the Vanagon.
> If
> > that BFG tire you have has a maximum inflation pressure of 35 psi or
less,
> > chances are that it is a passenger tire and really shouldn't be used.
> Look
> > for a Load Range C tire (or LT  - Light Truck)
> >
> > As to using mix & match tires, there's really no big problem AFAIK
(except
> > in a Syncro) as long as they all are rated to handle the load.  You may
> get
> > less than ideal handling characteristics, but I doubt any safety
problems.
> >
> > Brent Christensen
> > '89 GL Syncro Westy
> > Santa Barbara, CA
> >
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Douglas Demarest [mailto:Dldemarest@AOL.COM]
> > > Sent: Friday, March 17, 2000 2:09 PM
> > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > > Subject: slashed tires, used tires
> > >
> > >
> > > So I'm still driving on one of the tires that got slashed in
> > > Mexico, about
> > > 3,000 miles ago.  Everyone says this is dumb, and I agree.
> > > But the rest of
> > > the tires are in ok shape.  I priced new michelin LTX at $470
> > > for a set,
> > > installed.  Then I thought, hey, couldn't I just get one used one?
> > >
> > > Obviously this isn't ideal, but how stupid is it, really?  Do
> > > I need to match
> > > it closely to the ones I have?  Or is it enough that the
> > > sizes printed on the
> > > tire match? I already have one odd tire that used to be my spare ( a
> > > Continental).  The other 3 are michelin XZX.  I found a
> > > single BFGoodrich (no
> > > model name that I saw) 185 R14 for $25.  It had almost full tread.
> > >
> > >
> > > Doug Demarest
> > > Minneapolis, MN
> > > 86 Vanagon "kombi"
> > >
> >