Date:         Wed, 24 May 2000 11:33:34 -0700
Reply-To:     Daniel Schmitz <djs@GENE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Daniel Schmitz <djs@GENE.COM>
Organization: Genentech, Inc.
Subject:      Tires (a tired topic?)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

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?