Date:         Wed, 16 Mar 2005 07:51:32 -0700
Reply-To:     Larry Chase <roadguy@ROADHAUS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Chase <roadguy@ROADHAUS.COM>
Subject:      Re: Another Stupid Tire Thread..was Re: 15" Wheel/Tire Report -
              Caution
Comments: cc: JordanVw@AOL.COM
In-Reply-To:  <20050316050910.12F4634035@cmlapp23.siteprotect.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Chris,

Actually ... This looks like a pretty decent tire.

But not sure if I agree on the "2 ply" equals reinforced sidewall.

But not sure I disagee either.

If I found the right specs for your tire, 

Guardsman Guardsman III - P215/75R15;

Load Index  100, maximum certified weight: 1764 lbs.  
Load Range  Standard Load  
Maximum Load in lbs.  1742  
Maximum Cold Pressure in psi  44  

So even if I down rate the specs because it's a passenger car P-Metric tire 
The load capacity is still .... 1605.

As to whether it's has a "reinforced sidewall".

I'm trying to sort thru that specification now.

So far ... There seems to be general agreement that if a tire has a
reinforced sidewall, it will say on the sidewall (either Sidewall
Reinforced, Load Range C, Load Range D, 6PR, or 8PR).  If the manufacturer
doesn't specify one of these in their literature, chances are it isn't.

Certainly the most misunderstood specification for tires.

larry chase
Roadhaus.com

- - -

Date:    Tue, 15 Mar 2005 14:59:42 EST
From:    JordanVw@AOL.COM
Subject: Another Stupid Tire Thread..was Re: 15" Wheel/Tire Report - Caution

all the tire shops i ever dealt with consider a sidewall rating of 2 ply or
more, "reinforced".    most passenger car tires only have 1 ply sidewall
rating.   every vanagon ive ever seen with "reinforced" sidewalls, it says
"sidewall
rating, 2 ply" on the tire..
so that works for me..   no need to break the bank to get "special tires"...
i see people  laying down $500+ for some "special vanagon reinforced tires"
and just laugh..

I went to Sears and got a set of Guardsman 215-75-15 M+S all seasons with 2
ply sidewall, and have been running them on my vanagon for about 4 yrs now..
they cost me like $45 each i believe.  great tires and im pleased with
them..

chris