Date:         Fri, 10 Nov 2000 11:26:05 -0800
Reply-To:     Stuart MacMillan <macmillan@HOME.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stuart MacMillan <macmillan@HOME.COM>
Subject:      Re: Current Studded Snow Tire options
Comments: To: Craig Spaeth <spaeth@gorge.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

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