Date:         Wed, 10 Apr 2002 17:28:32 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <jhrodgers@MINDSPRING.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <jhrodgers@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject:      Re: 87 Vanagon Wolfsburg Tires
Comments: To: Tim Hannink <tjhannink@EARTHLINK.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Tim Hannink wrote:

> IMHO, you should use passenger car tires (proper ones)

I wouldn't ever ( qualify - there may always be some exception) use passenger
tires on the Vanagon. It's size, weight, weight distribution, and aerodynamics
require that stiff sidewall of the LT Truck tire construction for best control.

>
>  I just replaced a set of "D"
> rated truck tires with some reinforced passenger car tires and will never
> go back. The difference is amazing, and vehicle stability in crosswinds has
> increased.

I had passenger tires on my 85 GL when I first bought it. Not knowing any
better, when they were worn out, I bought some more. I always thought the thing
was really squirrly in any kind of wind, highway truck blast or Chinook Wind
blowing down through Turnagain Arm outside Anchorage, Alaska. When I traded
here in the Deep South for the 88 GL that I now have, I had learned more about
the van, and what was required. Originally, when I bought the 88  it also had
passenger car tires.......and the damn thing was squirrly as all getout down
here on the roads with the big tractor trailer rigs blasting by me on the
interstates and wherever. I went to New Mexico for a time and I bought a set of
Michelin 205/70R14 MXT's in Albuquerque. My stars what a huge increase  in
performance. No more squirrly!!

Spare me from ever putting another passenger tire on any Vanagon I own. LT's
with stiff sidewalls for me!!

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver