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Date:         Sat, 2 Feb 2002 13:42:19 -0500
Reply-To:     Derek Drew <derekdrew@RCN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Derek Drew <derekdrew@RCN.COM>
Subject:      Re: 16" alloy wheels on ebay  5x112 (vanagon bolt pattern)
Comments: To: vanagon@volkswagen.org
Comments: cc: Syncro@onelist.com
In-Reply-To:  <AIEFIGCNNANNIHLNFBPEGEHOENAA.vanagon@volkswagen.org>
Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1"

<html> <font size=3>At 09:21 AM 2/2/2002 -0800, you wrote:<br> </font><blockquote type=cite cite><font face="arial" size=2 color="#0000FF">Derek,</font><font size=3><br> </font><font face="arial" size=2 color="#0000FF">How do you determine the load rating of a wheel?&nbsp; </font></blockquote><font size=3><br> It is hard to get because, while these ratings exist, most people you can find to ask won't know or they will make up a number to try to make you go away. <br> <br> The number is supposed to be registered with TUV in Europe, I think, but I had very spotty results in trying to get the numbers, more often getting the response, &quot;It should be strong enough&quot; which I interpreted as &quot;Please go away; we have no idea.&quot;<br> <br> My Web site <a href="http://www.consumersearch.com/" eudora="autourl">www.consumersearch.com</a> refers $300,000 annually of wheel and tire purchases to Tire Rack, for example, so I had some pull there to get the real answers. But I was dismayed to find that the big North American web sites where you can go and buy wheels admitted to me that they had no idea the KG rating that applied to the wheels they sell, and list wheels mostly based on bolt pattern and ET or because the manufacturer says the wheel fits that particular car. <br> <br> Sometimes even the manufacturers seem to be just eyeballing their wheels before making application recommendations. I found one manufacturer who told me his wheels were suitable for Vanagon Syncro but when I went back to Tire Rack they said &quot;no way&quot; on that particular wheel -- not strong enough, but could offer no supporting detail. <br> <br> So some of this devolves to voo-doo and misinformation. <br> <br> A tip off that a wheel is suitable for heavy vehicles is if the manufacturer promotes the wheel as being suitable for off-road use and/or heavy van conversions. <br> <br> That's how I found the CV900 -- that the wheel was being promoted for *both* of those purposes. <br> <br> When I finally drilled down to somebody at the manufacturer who had the number it turned out to be 900kg and I knew we finally had something significant there. <br> <br> KG ratings for VW wheels are apparently obtainable, as we know the T4 wheel we have spoken of in the past has a 900kg rating (though an undesirable offset). <br> <br> We have not obtained the KG rating for the 15&quot; South African wheels. But because VW offers these specifically for the South African Vanagon (Kombi or whatever you want to call it) I believe it is probably safe to assume the wheel has an adequate KG rating without knowing the exact number. <br> <br> I love ebay and buy and sell things on there all the time. But I have found that my making wheel purchases through that site were always roadblocked over the issues discussed in this email: tempting, but no dice. <br> <br> The same issue affects Tim Hannink's suggestion of <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&amp;item=601469947" eudora="autourl">http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&amp;item=601469947</a> in respect of the weight rating, which we do not know. Some of the Mercedes cars were heavier than Audi cars, so it is more likely to find a used Mercedes rim with sufficient KG rating. This information would be helpful if you are going to buy based on guessing -- possibly to veer toward Mercedes. <br> <br> ET23 is probably OK but a little small in my view. Smaller ETs can cause tires may more easily hit the wheelwell flares when mounting large size tires, and more dirt will go on the side of the vehicle than with ET30. The range of wheels from the factory had ET30 and up, so the possible effect of using ET23 upon premature bearing wear is unknown. The width of 7&quot; is OK, but for various reasons documented in the archives I think 6.5&quot; is better and the factory stopped at 6.5&quot; as well. <br> <br> </font><blockquote type=cite cite><font face="arial" size=2>David Marshall<br> <br> Fast Forward Automotive Inc.<br> 4356 Quesnel Hixon Road<br> Quesnel BC Canada&nbsp; V2J 6Z3<br> <a href="mailto:info@fastforward.ca">mailto:info@fastforward.ca</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://www.fastforward.ca     /" eudora="autourl">http://www.fastforward.ca&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </a> <br> Phone: (250) 992 7775&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; FAX: (250) 992 1160<br> <br> &quot; Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions&nbsp; <br> &quot; Vanagon, Transporter and Iltis Sales and Importation<br> &quot; European Lighting for most Volkswagen models</font><font size=3> </font> <dl><font face="tahoma" size=2> <dd>-----Original Message----- <dd>From: Vanagon Mailing List [<a href="mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com%5DOn" eudora="autourl">mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On</a> Behalf Of Derek Drew <dd>Sent: February 2, 2002 8:37 AM <dd>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <dd>Subject: Re: 16&quot; alloy wheels on ebay 5x112 (vanagon bolt pattern)<br> <br> </font><font size=3> <dd>Many Audi wheels with the otherwise correct bolt pattern have a Kilogram rating of 590 which is inadequate for Vanagon (although some listers are using the wheels anyway without mishap.)<br> <br>

<dd>In any case, it is advisable to get the kilogram rating before buying a wheel. <br> <br>

<dd>The number 590 comes out to lower than the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle and so there is a question about the advisability of some Audi wheels.<br> <br>

<dd>A good number to shoot for is 900kg.&nbsp; Numbers above about 750kgs are probably acceptable but the stronger the better. <br> <br>

<dd>Also, check the offset to see that it is 30 or not too far off from that.<br> <br>

<dd>Many have written to me about the CV900-VGN 16&quot; wheels. There will be 48 wheels in the first run and they are in manufacture now to our specifications. <br> <br>

<dd>I will be publishing more about these when they leave Europe, which should be shortly. Priority will go to those who have already emailed me in the order in which they expressed interest. Other than emailing me to express interest, if you have not already done so, no deposits are yet being taken so just sit tight.&nbsp; <br> <br>

<dd>For more information on this topic there are some links toward the bottom of my (now bloated) VW SIG below</font><font size=3> <dd>--Derek <dd>At 04:43 AM 2/2/2002 -0500, you wrote:<blockquote type=cite cite> <dd>sweet looking&nbsp; 16&quot; five spoke alloys that will fit the vanagon on ebay - not <dd>mine..go for it-<br> <br>

<dd><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&amp;item=601380827" eudora="autourl">http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&amp;item=601380827</a>&amp; <dd>r=0&amp;t=0<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br>

<dd>chris </blockquote> <dd>________________________________________________________ <dd>Derek Drew&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; New York, NY &amp; Washington, DC <dd>derekdrew@rcn.com<x-tab>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</x-tab>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 212-580-6486 <dd>Email me for viscous couplings <dd>'90 Syncro Westfalia... <dd>...seen off-road at <dd><a href="http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/Syncro_Madness_Area.htm" eudora="autourl">http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/Syncro_Madness_Area.htm</a> <dd>Note: most valuable Vanagon sites on the planet (for owners) are: <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?S1=vanagon" eudora="autourl">http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?S1=vanagon</a> <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://gerry.vanagon.com/files/" eudora="autourl">http://gerry.vanagon.com/files/</a> <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro</a> <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://www.vanagon.com/" eudora="autourl">http://www.vanagon.com</a> <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://www.syncro.org/" eudora="autourl">http://www.syncro.org</a> <dd>My syncro list postings consolidated <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/messagesearch?query=212-580-6486" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/messagesearch?query=212-580-6486</a> <dd>My refrigerator article:&nbsp; <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://www.vanagon.com/info/articles/Refrigerator/Reefer_Madness.htm" eudora="autourl">http://www.vanagon.com/info/articles/Refrigerator/Reefer_Madness.htm</a> <dd>My article that shows how to deal with insurance companies: <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://gerry.vanagon.com/files/auto-insurance-madness.html" eudora="autourl">http://gerry.vanagon.com/files/auto-insurance-madness.html</a> <dd>To view Wolfgang's incredibly informative wheel article <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/fitbigtiresonvanagon.htm" eudora="autourl">http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/fitbigtiresonvanagon.htm</a> <dd>To view Tim Smith's incredibly useful gearing calculator <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/syncrotireandgearratios.xls" eudora="autourl">http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/syncrotireandgearratios.xls</a> <dd>To view two articles about how to think about improving your gears at transmission rebuild time <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/7207" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/7207</a> <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/7221" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/7221</a> <dd>To view some 16&quot; Trailing Arms that enable much larger tires see <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/syncro-org/files/Wheels,%20Tires%20%26%20Gearing/Wheel%20%26%20Tire%20Photos/16_Inch_Trailing_Arm.jpg" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/syncro-org/files/Wheels%2C%20Tires%20%26%20Gearing/Wheel%20%26%20Tire%20Photos/16_Inch_Trailing_Arm.jpg</a> <dd>To view the CV900, the only perfect 16&quot; rim for T3 Vanagon and Syncro see <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/vanagon/images/perfectwheel16s.jpg" eudora="autourl">http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/vanagon/images/perfectwheel16s.jpg</a> <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/vanagon/images/perfect16wheel.jpg" eudora="autourl">http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/vanagon/images/perfect16wheel.jpg</a> <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Articles about choosing a 16&quot; wheel and this CV900 model: <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/9294" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/9294</a> <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/8672" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/8672</a> <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/9209" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/9209</a> <dd>SYNCRO OWNERS WHO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD: <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You only get to change your ring and pinions once every 10 or 20 years <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; because that's how long the average syncro transmission goes before <dd>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; its next rebuild. Start planning for higher number ring and pinion sets NOW! </dl></font></blockquote><br> <div>_______________________________________________</div> <div>Derek Drew&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </div> <div>CEO &amp; Co-Founder </div> <div><a href="http://www.consumersearch.com/" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://www.ConsumerSearch.com/</a> </div> <div>New York, NY &amp; Washington DC</div> <div>============================</div> <div>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Best Consumer Advice Site&nbsp; </div> <div>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; PC World Magazine, Aug. 2001,</div> <div>============================</div> <div>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ConsumerSearch is Best </div> <div>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Newsweek, Nov. 5, 2001 </div> <div>============================</div> <div>derekdrew@rcn.com</div> <div>212-580-6486 </div> <br> Alternate numbers for the industrious phone caller that wants to try every avenue: 212-580-6486 (best), 917-848-6425 (cell); 202-966-7907 (Work), 212-580-4459 (Home), 202-966-0938 (Home), 978-359-8533 (fax [efax]). </html>


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