1450# is a "C" rated tire. Since any true standardization is lacking in the industry, comparing tire ratings is highly problematic. The sticker in my '84 specifies a "185SR-14 6 PR" tire, but no load rating. 6 PR, "6 ply rating", is not standardized across manufacturers. It can mean four tread plys and two sidewall plys, or it can mean six tread plys, or it can mean "reinforced", etc. FWIW, my '84 Westy runs about 3800 lbs with me in it, and maybe I load another 500 lbs of gear (plus my svelt wife) in it on trips, so 1450 lbs per tire is an adequate load capacity, and a "C" tire can be inflated to the factory specified pressures of 39/48 in my case. I've been running "C" rated tires for about 150,000 miles now with no problems (and no Firestone tires), and getting about 60,000 miles of tread life (Michelin "reinforced" "C" rated and Uniroyal Laredo "C"). Newer Westies may be entirely different, so your experience may vary. If the Hak 10 C is no more it is a great loss to the Vanagon driver in colder climes. -- Stuart MacMillan Seattle '84 Vanagon Westfalia w/2.1 '65 MGB (Driven since 1969) '74 MGB GT (Restoring) Assisting on Restoration: '72 MGB GT (Daughter's) '64 MGB (Son's) Parts cars: '68 & '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT |
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