Date:         Tue, 17 Aug 2004 12:39:00 -0400
Reply-To:     Ron Komoroski <motresyklman@LYNCHBURG.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ron Komoroski <motresyklman@LYNCHBURG.NET>
Subject:      TIRES NOooooo....
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hey Y'all
This past weekend one of the old Michelin XZX tires on our '87 Westy full
camper decided to spit off its tread at 65mph whap-whap-whAP-WHAP-WHAP etc.
etc., fortunately it didn't deflate & I was able to get us safely to a flat
area well off the pavement. A real mess-torn up body around the left rear
wheel well & a tangle of razor sharp wires on the tire. The rest of the
Michelins are the same age (prolly over 10 years), so I'm going to replace
them all. I spent several hours purusing the list archives searching TIRES &
got nothing but frustrated, so, HELP!  I want to buy 5 new tires to go on
the stock 14 inch wheels that are:
1. A proper size, We bought the Westy w/the 185R14 reinforced XZX Michelins
on it. They have always looked a little small to me. The door post lists a
205/70 R14 97R alternative, does it look larger on the camper-is such an
animal even available any more? Is there a 14 inch tire that looks a little
"beefier" on the van available?
2. Proper sidewall strength & load rating. Our Westy is a full camper
(heavy) & runs most of its mileage at speed  on the superslabs towing a
trailer/motorcycle rig that weighs about 800 lbs. I'm sure it's putting an
extra load on the rear tires.
3. Mud & Snow rated, we DO get snow here in the VA mountains & at such times
we can be ticketed for driving w/out MS tires.
4. As stable, smooth, easy rolling (good gas mileage)& quiet as can be had &
still satisfy 1,2,&3 above.
Anyone who has put such a tire on his or her Westy (or loaded Vanagon van) &
run enough miles to show up any glitches please send me the brand/model/size
off list (there's no need of ANOTHER tire thread!)
Thanks much,
Ron Komoroski