Date:         Fri, 9 Jun 2000 13:06:48 -0400
Reply-To:     =David M= <dmc@CYBURBAN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         =David M= <dmc@CYBURBAN.COM>
Organization: .
Subject:      Tire aspect ratios and load index
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

>From:    Dave Katsuki <katsuki@MAK.COM>
>Subject: Re: tire pressure
>
>6 or 8 ply sidewalls are probably always better.   A lower aspect ratio
>tire (e.g. 70 series)
>is probably stiffer for a given pressure, so 205-70R14 is probably >better
>than 205R14,
>
There is no tire made on this earth with 6 or 8 ply sidewalls. The most
I've ever seen is three.
Also, 205/75R14 tires almost always have a higher load rating than the
205/70R14. 215/70R14 are better and 215/75R14 better still. So lower
aspect ratio has a negative effect on load bearing capacity. Wider width
has a positive effect on load bearing capacity
Also, you did not mention it but others have - the term 'reinforced
sidewall' has no standard meaning. A tire not marked 'reinforced' could
be as good as a tire marked 'reinforced'.