Date:         Mon, 22 May 2000 15:30:13 -0700
Reply-To:     Frank Malinowski <yakers@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Frank Malinowski <yakers@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Tire Woes/Questions
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Yesterday we had a flat while camping and I went to change the spare
only to discover that the spare was out of air (am I the only one this
happens to?). That was half the problem, the rim was on so tight the
Westy tire iron was useless and stripping, btw, the lugs were not
rusted.  The AAA fellow came by and filled up the spare and literally
bent his much larger tire iron getting the old rim off. I am aware of
lug torque settings for alloy wheels but shouldn't there be some limit
for regular rims as well?

Now the tire questions: (Yes, I know some oldbes have probably heard it
all but this newbe may have a new spin) I have followed several tire
threads and I do not see the issue specifically addressed. My 85 Westy
came with 195 75R14 BF Goodrich Regatta M&S tires. These seem pretty
marginal for load handling and the front two are worn in a pattern that
leads me to want to replace them before our June family trip even though
there still is a legal level of thread. But the back two tires seem ok.
I want to add as much stability to the Westy as possible and so I am
contemplating a 205-size tire ( but I am happy to go with any 185 , 195
or 205 as long as it is as stable as possible). But as I think I only
need two right now would it be ok to put 205s on the rear and use the
195s on the front?

I live in Southern California so I do not need a snow tire. As far as I
can tell dry handling and the ability to deal with some rain is about
all I need in a tire. Is there something else in its construction that
would call for a M&S tire?

So I am looking for company, size and tire type suggestions and most
specifically advice as to whether having different size tires on
different axles is significant in a Westy.

85 Westy, Just Starting Out