Date:         Tue, 11 Feb 2003 06:45:15 -0800
Reply-To:     Michael Snow <mwsnow@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Michael Snow <mwsnow@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Yokohama 356 LT opinions
Comments: To: Greg Marshall <earthboy@ROGERS.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <3E48FB0C.A8A8098F@rogers.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Greg Marshall wrote:
> Hi folks,
>
> In my search for new tires I've temporarily decided on the Yokohama 356
> LT 185/75 R14's.  They are readily available, not super expensive, and
> seem to meet the appropriate spec.  I'd be interested in hearing from
> anyone running these tires.  Are they correct for the vanagon?
> Handling? Wear?  I would love a pair of Agilis, but seeing as how I also
> have to do the fornt ball joints, I just can't afford $160.00 per tire.


One man's opinion...

185R14 is the correct size for the 5.5" steel wheels on the Vanagon.
195/75R14 is functionally the same size.  I've been running the Yokos on
my '82 Westy for the past two years in southern California.  Mine are
185R14 load range D.  The tread design is more for dry weather than wet,
though they have done well during our occasional rains.  Handling has
been very predictable.  Many have complained that these tires are stiff,
and I agree, but not uncomfortably so.  In SoCal, we have longitudinal
rain grooves in the freeway surface.  The Yokos, with their rib style
tread, follow the rain grooves a little too much for my liking.  On
plain old asphalt, they are great, but we don't have a lot of that here.
My next tires will be the Agilis 61s, which have more of an all-season
tread design.  Whoever is quoting you $160 per tire for the Agilis 61 is
crazy.  Costco has them for $110 and another tire shop here quoted me $114.

Mike Snow