Date:         Tue, 22 Aug 2000 05:42:10 -0700
Reply-To:     "Greenamyer, William L" <William.Greenamyer@West.Boeing.com>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Greenamyer, William L" <William.Greenamyer@West.Boeing.com>
Subject:      Re: Important tire saftey
Content-Type: text/plain

Good information below.  Personally, I am not involved with these problem
tires but in having an RV that uses bigger tires, there are a few things
that many people overlook.  Also, living in the high desert, there are a lot
of things that people overlook.

With a lot of heat, you need the higher tire pressure to help dissipate the
heat inside the tire.  Underinflated tires have to much flexing in the
sidewalls and that is part of what causes a lot of the blowouts.  One of the
reasons that a lot of tire companies recommend certain LT tires for the
Vanagon is because of its weight.  Normal tires just don't have the side
wall strength to handle the weight.  To much flexing.  You also have to
check the temperature rating of the tires you are using based on the area
you live in.  For the high desert, you never go lower than a B rating or the
tire won't last.  Another item that most people don't find out about is the
speed rating of LT tires.  A lot of the truckers on the road use recaps.
Many of them drive over the speed limit.  Many LT tires or trucker type
tires have specific speed limits.  Our RV tires are some of the best and
they are rated to I believe 85MPH.  Over that and they could loose their
tread (in other words, come apart) just like a lot of the Firestone tires
have (hint).  The combination of heat, underinflation and excessive speed
creates very unsafe tire conditions.  On our Vanagon, we use 185/R14 tires
that are designed for the weight.  They are 6 ply-8 ply rated.  There are
two plys in the side walls.  Believe me it makes a difference in the
durability of the tires.  The tires are B temp range and rated for 120MPH.
This doesn't prevent the sun from causing small cracks in the sidewalls but
that is caused by the UV and heat from the 120+ degree days (140+ on the
road surface at a minimum) in the high desert.

Just my 2 cents.
William

> ----------
> From:         Michael Townsend[SMTP:townsend@rtp.ericsson.se]
> Hahahaha:
>
> This is my favorite line:
>
> He says Ford's policy, therefore, is to specify tire pressures as low as
> possible that don't compromise hauling ability. "Sometimes you want the
> steering to be a little bit on the lazy side, for safety," Baughman says.
>
> So, this is why I drive VW's instead!
>
> Michael
>
> > Good advice from Dan!  Also follow the recommended tire pressure
> > recommendation on your van.  In all cases, except for Ford in the case
> > of the Explorer
> > (http://www.usatoday.com/money/consumer/autos/mauto771.htm), this is the
> > correct and safe pressure!
> > --
> > Stuart MacMillan
> > Seattle
> > Parts cars:
> > '68 & '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT
>