Date: Sun, 14 Apr 2002 15:27:49 -0400
Reply-To: Tim Hannink <tjhannink@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Tim Hannink <tjhannink@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Tire Ratings
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
This is what I have found out about the difference in load ratings shown on
the tire stickers in Vanagons.
Typically, the load rating of the tire is determined by the highest Gross
Vehicle Weight that any one tire will see. My van has a GVWR of 2866 on the
rear axle (less on front). That number, divided by two would equal 1433
lbs. max for a tire on that axle. The standard Vanagon tire size is a
185/75R14 "C" which typically has a max load of 1,433 lbs., which will
work.
The optional Vanagon tire size is a 205/70R14 "R" which has a 97 load
rating. If your van came with this tire size from the factory, it was
usually a Michelin reinforced passenger car tire (MX or MXL) with a 97 load
rating. Back then, you need to de-rate a passenger car tire 91% to use it
on a light truck. If you de-rated a passenger car tire with a 97 load
rating (1,609 lbs.) by 91% you end up with 1464 lbs. max load. If you drop
down to a passenger car tire with a 96 load rating (1,565 lbs.) by 91%, you
end up with 1424 lbs. max load, 9 lbs. less than what is required.
Check with the tire manufacturer of the tire brands you are considering.
Some of them will tell you that there is no need to de-rate their tires for
use on light trucks, they now design their tires for use on light trucks
since that is the larger tire market right now.
Good luck,
Tim Hannink
Winter Park, Florida
Goldibox - 1987 Vanagon Camper, Wolfsburg Edition
http://home.earthlink.net/~tjhannink/
-----Original Message-----
From: Todd Last [SMTP:Rubatoguy@MINDSPRING.COM]
Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2002 2:49 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Tire Ratings
On my Vanagon Camper the tire sticker on the door, it states a 97
minimum load rating.
97 load rating translates to a max. load of 1609 lbs. So it would seem
that the Kirklands, at a 93 - 1435lb max load, are not sufficient for
the Westys.
Perhaps the passenger Vanagons have lower tire requirements?
In any case, I feel safer adhering to the factory reccomendation - there
must have been a reason that they picked 97, even if the math appears to
suggest otherwise.
Todd
'88 Westy
Dana Morphew wrote:
>Tires, such as the Kirkland LT195 x 75R14 93/90Q rated for 1435 lbs. @
>50 psi, will easily allow you to exceed the gross vehicle weight of the
>Vanagon (~5200 lbs.) whether it is a "bare bones", a GL, a Westy, or a
>Syncro (Syncro might have greater gross capacity...not sure). You can
>overload the Vanagon by 10% and still be within the safe limits of the
>exampled Kirkland tire (keep 'em inflated). This doesn't even consider
>the designed in safety margin all tires have. Of course if you have one
>of two corners abnormally overloaded (be aware of front and rear max.
>axle load specs) you may manage to explore the limits of these tires,
>but, if you consciously try to carry a reasonably balanced load, not
>exceed the gross vehicle weight of the Vanagon, keep the tires inflated
>according to your loading, and run tires that have at least a 2 mm.
>tread depth and are in good shape, you'll likely be fine.
>
>The Yokohamas, below, are well equipped for safety beyond what the
>Vanagon needs to carry its gross with a 7360 lb total weight carrying
>ability.
>
>-Dana-
>
>"Terry K." wrote:
>
>>The YoMamma Suv / light truck tire's I have on my 87 Westy ride real
>>nice, excellent in the wet, not bad in the snow---load rated--D, and
>>have a max load rating of 1840 psi.
>>
>
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