Date:         Wed, 24 May 2000 11:43:21 -0700
Reply-To:     Bill Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bill Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Subject:      Re: Tires (a tired topic?)
Comments: To: Daniel Schmitz <djs@GENE.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Daniel,
Safety should always come first... even before money.
(If it's money that concerns you just think what the doctor bills could
run... and/or the van repair bill... though it might be totaled if you roll
it so think of the cost of a new van)

Get the proper load rating tire and do it soon.
Bill

----- Original Message -----
From: "Daniel Schmitz" <djs@GENE.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2000 11:33 AM
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?
>