Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2001 13:59:34 -0800
Reply-To: PSavage <psavage@SABER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: PSavage <psavage@SABER.NET>
Subject: Re: Tires... Difference between LT and Passenger
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hi Gary,
I've posted this testimonial several time before, but will do it again:
I bought my '85 Westy two years ago with a full set of brand new
Kirkland LT tires on it. Since then, I've put 37,000 miles on these
tires, much of the mileage during my previous two round trips to
central Mexico, where I drove on some pretty rough roads.
37,000 miles later, these same Kirkland LT tires look nearly new,
& I am about to head, once again, for another winter of adventuring
in Mexico.
I've not had a SINGLE flat in 37,000 miles, & I find the ride comfortable--
even in a cross wind. These tires are available still from Costco for
$60.00
installation included.
You can spend a lot more on tires, but why?
I can't recommend these tires enough.
Cheers,
Phaedra
'85 Wolfsburg Westy "Basecamp"
--Give Peace A Chance
----- Original Message -----
From: Gary Stearns <gstearns@OPTONLINE.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2001 9:02 AM
Subject: Tires... Difference between LT and Passenger
> Hi-
> Our '88 will need new tires soon. Currently we run Michelin Energy
205/70x15 VR 95 on 15x7 wheels. The idea of the VR speed rating and the 95
load rating was to add strength. I've never had any reason to doubt the
safety of these tires, but they do have one big tradeoff. When inflated
hard enough to handle well, they ride very hard. Cracks and expansion
joints hammer the body as if it were on skateboard wheels. When inflated
soft enough to ride acceptably, they squirm all over and actually let the
van bounce up and down. Our van does have slightly stiffer springs and
Bilsteins, but all of the bushings at both ends were just replaced (by me,
talk about a big miserable job!), so suspension shouldn't be contributing to
rough ride. By comparison, I also have a '92 Jetta GLi. Lowered higher rate
springs, Bilstein Sports, and plastic suspension bushings...and much lower
tire pressures. It rides much better over the rough stuff.
>
> Could LT tires do a better job? I've always had the feeling that LT tires
couldn't ride well 'cause they're truck tires. Is there something about the
construction of LT tires that allows higher inflation pressures and load
handling but not the jarring ride? Is there some typical difference in
construction between LT and passenger tires that gives LT tires that higher
load capacity while not destroying the ride? Can LT tires also handle well?
>
> Thanks
>
> Gary
>
| 
