Date:         Tue, 6 May 2003 12:56:25 -0400
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      New (to me anyway) info Re: Reinforced Tires?
Comments: To: edward.bass@GM.COM
In-Reply-To:  <OF724FDF04.796F8A6D-ON85256D1E.005345B8@mail.gm.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

I recently learned about reinforced tires -- it's in the tire book used at
one of the wholesale clubs, book is put out by Michelin and ?Goodyear? or
some such combination for internal use.

"The load-carrying capacity of P-metric tires is rated either Standard Load
or Extra Load.  Standard Load tires are limited by the load that can be
carried  with an inflation pressure of 35 psi.  Extra Load tires are
limited by the load that can be carried with an inflation pressure of 41
psi.  An Extra Load tire will be branded with "Extra Load" as shown in the
photo [right above the "Max load xxx at yyy psi" line - dgb].  A Standard
Load tire will not carry any special designation.

For European tires they are either Standard Load or Reinforced
Load.  Standard load...32-36 psi [I presume this means that each tire will
have a rated pressure within that range - dgb].  Reinforced load...42
psi.  Reinforced...will be branded with "Reinforced."  Standard...no
special designations.

NOTE: [paraphrase] Tires may be branded with max inflation pressures
greater than the normal [35, 32-36, 41, 42] for use with special handling
requirements.  This does NOT increase the load carrying capacity of the tire."

david

At 11:32 AM 5/6/2003, Ed Bass wrote:
>My 87 Westy (Love Wagon II) has P20570R14 tires and I understand that the
>original tires were P18570R14.  I suppose the only problem with that is
>that it means that the speedometer is reading too low.  Now that I need new
>tires I am considering returning to OEM size but I want to follow the
>advice of the collective intelligence in making the choice.  Some recommend
>reinforced sidewall tires...my local tire shop doesn't stock these and they
>are about twice the price of basic tires.  If my Westy is used only for
>occasional camping, driving stability is fine (huge improvement compared to
>the 78 vintage Love Wagon I) and almost never off road do I really need
>reinforced tires?
>Ed

--
David Beierl - Providence RI USA -- http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"