Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2003 14:17:21 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: FW: 15" Wheel Question
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
Bob, I take it you do have the 15 " wheels. If so, I think you can ask
for a Michelin XCA 205/75R15 tire.
I have that very tire on my van, only in a 14 inch. The tire is a
Michelin XCA 205/75R14. 8 Ply, Re-inforced Sidewalls out the Kazoo, Load
Range D, 65 PSI. It is a commercial tire, not normally carried in the
Michelin regular line of tires. Everywhere I went to try and get the
tire, Response #1 was always "Oh, we don't have a tire like that".
Response # 2 "Oh that tire is sold through places like Sams, Walmart,
etc," And finally, the last response " Oh, that is a commercial tire, it
doesn't show in our catalog, we had to call about it, we can get it,
it's in our warehouse, how many do you want???"
I'm almost dead certain I saw a set of these in a 15 inch size at one of
the tire places I called on. Anyway, my cost, mounted, balanced and
installed on the van was right at $600 --- actually $581.00 to be exact..
Good luck.
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Bob Elliott wrote:
> 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
>
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> 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
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> http://www.webtide.net/
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