Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2003 11:41:57 -0700
Reply-To: Bob Elliott <bobe@WEBTIDE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bob Elliott <bobe@WEBTIDE.NET>
Subject: Re: FW: 15" Wheel Question
In-Reply-To: <000e01c305c0$810983d0$50a96620@laptop>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
Uhmmmm, well basically I thrilled with the number and variance of the
responses to my 215/65-15 tire question but I remain flummoxed as to the
solution. I thought the Michelin X Ones were going to be the solution but
members report that they fail the passenger tire side wall load rating
necessary for a Westy Vanagon of 1609 lbs by coming in at only 1510 lbs.
I'll be calling Michelin on Monday to see what they have to say.
In the meantime I've called my local Kal Tire dealer and he advised me that
given the Westy load specs that Michelins were out. He said with a load
rating of 1609lbs that I'd have to go with a light truck tire, which some
of you spoke about. His recommendation was the Nokian WS 205/65 R15.
Exceeds the Westy 1609lb load requirement. Cost: $149.00 Cdn per tire.
Drive away for $761.35 Cdn for the four (4). Looks like this is the way
I'll be going.
thanks
bob elliott
At 09:37 AM 18/04/2003 -0600, you wrote:
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Larry Chase [mailto:lchase@attglobal.net]
>Sent: Friday, April 18, 2003 9:06 AM
>To: 'Vanagon Mailing List'
>Cc: wetwesties@yahoogroups.; VWVANFULLTIMERS@yahoogroups.com;
>vwcc@yahoogroups.com; Syncro@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: RE: 15" Wheel Question
>
>
>Bob,
>
>CAUTION ..... PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING BEFORE PURCHASING THE MICHELIN
>X-One OR MX4 TIRES THAT GOWESTY SELLS
>
>1. Look at the tire specs at Tirerack or Michelin on these tires. They
>are LOAD Rated around 1510 lbs.
>
>If you look at Vanagon.Com load rating RECOMMENDATIONS you will see that
>a minimum of 1609 lbs is recommended.
>
>Vanagon.Com Tire Spec Link:
>
>http://www.vanagon.com/info/tires/
>
>2. Next talk to Michelin or Tirerack Reps and ask if they recommend
>these tires for a Vanagon.
>
>I have done this in the past and was told by both Company Reps that
>these tires are "NOT RECOMMENDED" FOR A VANAGON. They said "the load
>rating is too low".
>
>In the past, I spoke to Lucas (owner of Go Westy) about this. He
>strongly feels that the "Michelin & Tire Rack tech support is wrong" and
>that these are proper tires for the Vanagon.
>
>In fairness .... Please read Lucas's comments here:
>
>http://www.gowesty.com/wheelstiresinfo.html
>
>Tire choices always seems to be overly confusing.
>
>Comment ... I'm not trying to VENDOR BASH "GoWesty" ..... I believe them
>to be an excellent vendor and have done a great deal of business with
>them. I purchased many parts and have had them do many modifications on
>the RoadHaus.
>
>They have always treated me fairly and their installation and
>modification work has been of the highest quality.
>
>I believe they Honestly believe they are offering the best tires choice
>to the Vanagon Community.
>
>Other than for tires ... I would recommend them highly.
>
>In anyone else had a DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW ON THESEW TIRES ... PLEASE
>SPEAK UP.
>
>On the Road and the Road is Great,
>
>
>Larry Chase
>Email: RoadGuy@RoadHaus.com
>Web: www.RoadHaus.com
>What: North American Road Trip
>How: RoadHaus - 1990 VW Westfalia Syncro
>Today: Denver, CO
>
>- - -
>
>
>Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 16:43:35 -0700
>From: Bob Elliott <bobe@WEBTIDE.NET>
>Subject: Re: 15" Wheel Question
>
>Well after Damon let me know that GoWesty had the 15" steel wheels too I
>had a look around their site and found that the price difference for a
>set of (4) 15x7" steels was only $150 dollar different than the 15x7"
>Alloy Wheel Set (4) ...
>
>so I got the alloy set
><http://www.gowesty.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=gw&
>Product_Code=GVW-8525&Category_Code=wt-wheelstires>
>
>
>Now I gotta decide on tires. Tyler at GoWesty said that the "very best"
>choice I could make would be the Michelin X1. Best Cdn price I can find
>is $145 + installation (balance, valve stems and possible alignment).
>This is a little more $$$ than I'd planned on. Anyone got other tire
>suggestions/experiences to offer?
>
>thanks
>
>bob elliott
Webtide Information Service, Inc.
voice: 1 (604) 737-2835
fax: 1 (604) 737-2701
http://www.webtide.net/
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