Date:         Sun, 22 Jul 2001 04:37:58 +0000
Reply-To:     Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Kumho 852 as tire alternative...
Comments: cc: djs@GENE.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

Daniel -

I have been running the Kumho 852 in 195R-14 on my '87 Westy for a couple of
years now.  Les Schwab, a PNW tire chain, was carrying them.  I got a real
deal, four mounted and balanced for $213.

They are pressure sensitive, and feel a bit squirmy if I don't keep the rear
above 45 psi.  Normally I run 36F/48R.

If you are runinning 205s on the wider alloy rims, you might want to start
with VWs lower recommended pressure and see how it goes.

These are a truck tire, not a passenger tire with a reinforced sidewall, and
should handle anything you can throw at them.  IMO, they will not be
particularly good in the snow, as the tread pattern isn't agressive enough,
but I have only run them in the summers so - I could be wrong.

Overall, a darn good highway tire.

- Mike Finkbiner
'87 Westy
Moscow, Idaho

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Date:    Sat, 21 Jul 2001 11:48:00 -0700
From:    Daniel Schmitz <djs@GENE.COM>
Subject: Kumho 852 as tire alternative...

I see from my research that Kumho makes a tire that appears to be just  the
thing for the Vanagon: Their Model 852 A/S Commercial Tire comes in  a
185/195/205-R14 (I have the 205-70R14 alloys and it's a full camper), has a
107 Load Index and a Load Range of "D" for the 205-70R14 size. In  addition,
it IS a reinforced sidewall design. This tire appears to fit  the bill
exactly, with more than enough load-carrying capacity.

Does anyone have experience with the 852, including price? There are a
couple of chains that sell Kumho passenger tires (Firestone and Winston
Tire), but I assume the 852 would be a special order. It's marketed by
Kumho as a "European commercial tire". I haven't checked with retailers
yet, asking here first.



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