Date:         Mon, 3 Oct 2005 00:24:43 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: On weight
Comments: To: Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <de316f31eb637be8b13beb4ed1dc7f9b@mac.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Kim,
It is common for many rear engine vehicles to have the front tires set
at a lower pressure. This is most noticeable in Beetles and Corvairs.
This is done to induce "Under steer" During cornering, the softer tires
will slide a bit to keep the rear from becoming the front.

Dennis


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Kim Brennan
Sent: Sunday, October 02, 2005 10:00 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: On weight

So, as I've been trying out these Bridgestone tires on my Westy,
something occurred to me as a subject to ponder in the dark of the
night.

Everyone will admit that the Vanagon has a near perfect 50/50 weight
distribution. I've, of course, several Syncros, which might bias the
weight barely forward (but perhaps not).

When only a driver is in the vehicle, the driver is right above the
front wheels. Even with a full passenger load, the folks are either on
top of the front wheel, or between the front and rear wheels.

So why, invariably do the tire inflation specs have higher pressure to
the REAR on Vanagons?



Kim Brennan
86 Syncro. 91 Westy Syncro. 90 Tristar
Vienna VA. Sugar Grove WV.