Date:         Sun, 30 Oct 2005 12:34:46 -0700
Reply-To:     Larry Chase <roadguy@ROADHAUS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Chase <roadguy@ROADHAUS.COM>
Subject:      Dam it .... Choosing safe tires is SIMPLE
Comments: cc: "wetwesties@yahoogroups." <wetwesties@yahoogroups.com>,
          Syncro@yahoogroups.com, "Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups. com"
          <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>,
          "Syncrolist@Yahoogroups. Com" <syncrolist@yahoogroups.com>,
          SyncroSA@yahoogroups.com, VWVANFULLTIMERS@yahoogroups.com
In-Reply-To:  <20051030040728.21423D807F@mx02.csee.siteprotect.com>
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Dam it ... Choosing safe tires is SIMPLE!

Both Ron Salmon of Bus Depot, myself and many others have suggested on
numerous occasions,

Look at what VW did. 
OR
Look at the US Gov Department of Transportation requirements.

Here's the full DOT guideline,

http://tinyurl.com/cybp5

They match pretty closely.

You don't have to make assumptions, no guess work .. It's all supported by
fact and data.

What did VW do?

- The lowest load rated tire was, 
 
* Max Load Capacity:1580 lbs

What does the DOT guidelines say?

Let's do the DOT math, 

Our vans weigh 1433lbs (2wd) & 1521lbs (4wd) at each rear tire if loaded to
GAWR capacity

DOT Rule #1 

"vehicle normal load on the tire shall be no greater than 94 percent of the
load rating"

- the 94% rule.

2wd  = 1433 + 6% = 1519 lbs ...minimum load carrying capacity for a Light
Truck Tire
4 wd = 1521 + 6% = 1612 lbs ... minimum load carrying capacity for a Light
Truck Tire

NOTE ... As indicated earlier the minimum load capacity tire VW used was
1580 lbs.

Right in the middle of the above calculations.

VW's conclusion seems to make sense, doesn't it.

YOU SAY YOU'D RATHER USE A PASSENGER CAR FOR A SOFTER RIDE

No problem .... .

DOT Rule #  2

"When passenger car (P-metric) tires are installed on an MPV, truck, bus,
 or trailer, each tire's load rating is reduced by dividing it by 1.10"

- the 9% rule

2wd  = 1433 + 6% = 1519 lbs + 9% = 1656 lbs minimum load carrying capacity
for a Passenger Car Tire
4 wd = 1521 + 6% = 1612 lbs + 9% = 1757 lbs minimum load carrying capacity
for a Passenger Car Tire

Make sure the passenger car tire has a "reinforced sidewall" which would
mean a XL or RF rating.

BAM .... you are good to go.

One thing I think we all agree on,

IF YOU FOLLOW THE ABOVE GUIDELINES (EITHER VW OR DOT) YOU WILL BE CHOOSING A
SAFE TIRE!

The only thing we disagree on (a small number of foks) think "MAYBE" those
guidelines are too restrictive.

COOL ... if you are willing to take the risk on your own Van .... go for it.

BUT WHY TRY & TALK OTHERS INTO TAKING THE SAME RISK?

I really don't understand that.

Please ... Be safe folks.
 
good road,
good adventure,
good life,
 
larry chase

www.roadhaus.com
www.roadhaus.com/shops.html
www.roadhaus.com/tires.html
www.roadhaus.com/tires/guideline.html