Date:         Fri, 18 Mar 2005 11:18:40 -0500
Reply-To:     Phil Zimmerman <phil.zimmerman@MAIL.CRCN.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Phil Zimmerman <phil.zimmerman@MAIL.CRCN.NET>
Subject:      Re: Another Stupid Tire Thread..was Re: 15" Wheel/Tire Report -
Comments: To: Finkbiner Mike <mike_l_f@HOTMAIL.COM>

On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 05:30:21 +0000, Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:

>My '87 Westy says 185R 14 C (which only means Commercial rated) at 48 psi on
>the rear OR 215/70R14 LR 97 at 40 psi on the rear (based on my best
>recollection).  They don't specify a load rating for the 185 because one
>which is built to handle 50 psi is load range 93, so 48 psi is almost max
>pressure.
>
>Tires can handle the rated load only at maximum inflation pressure, and LR
>93 will carry a Westy, at full pressure.  Drop the pressure, drop the load
>handling capacity.  The 215s at 40 psi would be at 80% pressure, which means
>you couldn't expect them to handle the full load, so they specified LR 97.

>- Mike
>
>Mike Finkbiner
>'87 Westy (wearing Haaka CQs in 185R14)
>Moscow, Idaho
>mike_l_f@hotmail.com

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the informative post on: "another stupid tire thread".
Your insights filled in a few voids that have persisted in my understanding of tires for a Westy.

The word "reinforced" especially. I still remain a bit puzzled as to why the silver door sticker
designates "reinforcement" for the 205:70R X14 tire option. I follow your description (and
surmised  this myself) as to why the 185X14 "C" didn't need to be reinforced.... It already was....
so to speak!

A 205:70R X 14 load rated 97 tire at maximum inflation pressure still needs to have a
"reinforcement" designation but, only if one were to run it at "lower than maximum inflation
pressures".  Is my understanding here correct or still muddled ?

Phil Z.
'87 Westy
Campbell River, BC