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Date:         Wed, 24 May 2000 20:46:35 -0000
Reply-To:     John P <jmp@BT-PACIFIC.CO.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John P <jmp@BT-PACIFIC.CO.NZ>
Subject:      Re: Tires (a tired topic?)
Comments: To: Daniel Schmitz <djs@GENE.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Daniel, yes you are correct, the Van should have C rated tyres. I am not sure on your rim width, but my 82 has 5 inch rims, so a 205 series tyre is to wide for this rim, the tyre would have excessive "roll" on the rim. You would need a 6 inch rim width or larger for a 205 series tyre, check your alloys, the size should be on them somewhere. When I first bought my Westy it also had standard car tyres, I brought C rated tyres and the improvement was significant. But then I had the advantage that the standard tyres were at the end of their life! I have to say I would have been inclined to run them untill they needed replacement due to cost. The wallowing problem could be a combination of your tyres and several other things 1. Worn shocks 2.Front stabiliser bar problems( I have had the link arm from the suspension wishbone to the actual stabiliser bar break) 3.General bushing wear. I am sure others on the list would be able to add to these comments. Hope this helps John. ----- Original Message ----- From: Daniel Schmitz <djs@GENE.COM> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2000 6:33 PM Subject: Tires (a tired topic?)

> On my recently acquired '87 Westfalia, the tires do not appear to be the > correct type for this vehicle. > > They are General "Ameri" branded, 205/70R14, Standard Load Rating > radials, with a max inflation pressure of 35 psi. > > Based on what I've read on the list and what I bought for my '82 > Adventurewagen, I think I am supposed to be running LT, > sidewall-reinforced tires with a Load Rating of "C". > > As further evidence, my Westfalia tends to wallow and really lean in the > turns, as well as being very sensitive to cross winds, even more so than > my Adventurewagen, which has a higher center of gravity. > > The one downside is that these tires are relatively new, and I would > have to sacrifice good, though incorrect, tires for new, correct ones. > > The option to swap tires with those on my Adventurewagen is not really a > possibility, as those are mounted on stock steel rims, and I definitely > want to retain the alloy wheels I have. > > Anyone care to comment?


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