Date:         Thu, 3 Aug 2000 22:39:02 -0600
Reply-To:     Johnnie Keith <keithcon@worldnet.att.net>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Johnnie Keith <keithcon@worldnet.att.net>
Subject:      Re: I HATE TO SAY - tires
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Have only owned my 84 camper about 2 months.  Had 27x8.50R14LT BFG M&S when
bought.  Agressive deep tread.  Have no complaints at all with traction and
handling in heavy rains we get in COS even on newly paved roads or with off
road performance.  Previous owner did not rotate them properly so I'm going
to replace them with same size.  Several local stores stock this size
primarily for Vanagons.
Would be interested in anyones experience with this size.  Considering
putting them on 87 Syncro when its 205/75R14s wear out.
John
84 Vanagon camper
87 Syncro becoming a camper

----- Original Message -----
From: (Donna Cassano) <pokeswagon@blazenet.net>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2000 9:50 AM
Subject: I HATE TO SAY - tires


> OK, I know everyone gets their shackles up a little whenever the topic
> of tires comes up, but no one could be more sick of tires than me. I've
> been going round and round on this tire thing for 4 months now - pun
> intended.
>
> I got a set of Bridgestone Dueler ATs for my Westy and loved them until
> it rained. They are great for the off road camping that I do the most.
> They held strong on the dry highway when gusts and semi's would pass.
> But once the roads got wet I was skating around with the slightest
> breeze. I was running them at the 50psi they are rated at so I backed
> them down to 40 front and 45 rear as recommended on the door sticker.
> This helped some, but it still gets a little squirrely on the wet
> highways with gusts and trucks.
>
> I've been back to Sear's several times trying to find and alternative
> that will give me excellent off-road traction and keep me safe when
> driving on wet highways. They have that "customer satisfaction"
> guarantee, however they haven't been able to come up with anything in
> the 14" size. I paid almost $550 for a  set of 5 and I feel for that
> much money these things should be perfect (but am I being too
> idealistic?). I know I can get a set of no-names that will perform just
> as good for half the cost, however Sears wants to charge me $50 to
> re-mount and balance my old tires. Hmmmph! Anyway, thinking that maybe I
> should start saving $$$ to buy 15" wheels that will afford me a wider
> selection of off-road possibilities. But saving $$$ is not high on my
> list right now as I am preparing to become unemployed for my
> cross-country excursion.
>
> So PLEASE, is there anyone out there that can recommend a good
> alternative to the Bridgestones in a 14" size that will do well on the
> highway AND be aggressive enough for my off-road camping adventures? I
> know a lot of you use the Mich LTX, but they just don't look aggressive
> enough for me. Can anyone attest to the contrary? I don't want to get
> stuck in the middle of nowhere.
>
> Advice/suggestions GREATLY appreciated.
> Peace - donna
> '84 Westy (Pepe)
>