Date:         Sun, 25 Dec 2005 11:18:16 -0700
Reply-To:     Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: tube bumpers/GoWesty Wheels
Comments: To: obeechi@RUNBOX.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Mark said:
"Have many people here bought the wheels offered by Gowesty???"

GoWesty wheels:
I have the "mercedes style" wheels in 16". I like them, they seems durable
so far. I can't recommend any tire with no substantial sidewall rating (at
least C). I had the Michelin X-ONE (predecesor to the current hydro edge)
and blistered the sidewalls on both right tires on a rainy, rock strewn road
coming into Durango a couple years back. No way to know if a higher and
stiffer sidewall would have endured this better, but my guess is that it
would. The good news is that the rim had no damage whatsoever. Interestingly
enough, out of necessity, I did replace both right wheel bearings over the
next 2 years!
I now have Nokian Hakkapeliitta C2 tires (215/65-16) with about 2500 miles
on them. They're such a big improvement over the Michelin LTX M/S. The
Michelin's wore incredibly well but the Nokian's offer so much better
stability in all conditions I've had them in so far (offroad, rain, snow,
highway cruising).

Aircooled.com's tube bumpers:
I have these and like them. I like the appearance and the extra protection.
They've been durable and trouble-free. They'll run you about $1000. I've
also seen some really cool "home-brewed" bumpers that are very stout, cool
looking too, and especially functional. Jim Davis posted the below recently
on the Syncro.org list:
I've  collected a number of photos of bumpers on Vanagons (mostly on
Syncros).  Some have hitches. Take a look in the Bumpers album at:
http://www.syncro.photosite.com/Bumpers/Other/?page=1

Anyway, hope this helps.
Bob Stevens
'87 Westy Syncro
"Passion Fruit"
http://groups.msn.com/BobsPhotoShare/87westysyncro.msnw