Date:         Mon, 3 Oct 2005 13:18:09 -0400
Reply-To:     The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon Tire Guidelines Report
In-Reply-To:  <4128-43415606-7888@storefull-3175.bay.webtv.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

> However, one problem exists. How about the guys
> that have increased wheel / tire diameter?
> Gone from 14's to 15" or 16'" wheels & tires?
> 
> This is now, and tire's have come a long way in  
> construction,compounds, and will meet or exceed 
> VW's antiquated requirements printed on that door 
> sticker. 


I referred to this elsewhere, but I'll repeat it here as it directly
addresses this question...

Over successive generations of VW vans, VW has gradually increased tire size
(first to 15" on the T4/Eurovan, then to 16" on 2001-up  Eurovans and
present-day T5's). The Eurovan's GVWR is close to that of a Vanagon. (In
fact, the GVWR of a Vanagon Syncro and a 2003 Eurovan are within 88 lbs.)
However, in all of the years (up to and including the brand new 2006 T5),
and despite the latest tire technology and much larger tires (205/65R16 on
current models), Volkswagen STILL requires extra-load tires on their vans to
this very day.  NOT standard-load passenger car tires.

This should dispel any myth that larger wheels or newer tires obviate the
need for an extra-load tire on a VW van. 

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  www.busdepot.com
  (215)  234-VWVW

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