Date:         Wed, 18 Oct 2006 09:15:56 -0400
Reply-To:     Paul Terry <paulterry@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Paul Terry <paulterry@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: What tires for 91 Westy?
Comments: To: Pat Little <redtail@CABLESPEED.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Pat,
I'm in the same boat, but I had 14" rims with street tires. I have purchased a 15" rim set but can't decide whether top purchase the Michelin Hydra Edge 215 65 15 (as recommended by the folks at GoWesty) or the Michelin Agilis 205's.

PAUL

-----Original Message-----
>From: Pat Little <redtail@CABLESPEED.COM>
>Sent: Oct 17, 2006 6:58 PM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: What tires for 91 Westy?
>
>I recently bought a nice 91 Westy and have been driving it around on short and medium trips. Now I'm
>preparing for longer jaunts and want to get better tires before I set out. I plan on driving a lot
>of driving dirt roads and probable mountain snow conditions.
>
>The tires I have now are Jupiter SV-820 185R14 C,
>and the spare is different - a Michelin MXL 205/70R14
>
>The symptoms I have which I would like to change are:
> - van sways in crosswinds or behind large trucks
> - tread noise when on smooth surfaces
> - lots of noise traveling on dirt roads or Seattle's badly eroded concrete highways
>
>From what I can gather online the Michelin Agilis is highly recommended, although it has poor snow
>traction. Bus Depot says the Hankook RA08 is way better than the Agilis (suggesting the Agilis is
>the standard to beat?). I can get the Agilis for $127 and the RA08 for $75. So I'm thinking the RA08
>is the one to go for.
>
>My questions:
> - how "bad" are my current tires (i.e. will switching tires fix some or all of my problems)?
> - any thoughts on RA08 vs Agilis? especially in snow/mud (I'll be carrying chains, of course)
> - is it important to have a spare that is the same type of tire as the main ones? (is driving with
>3 of one and one of another safe?)
> - what pressures should I use - VW recommended or can I go lower for a smoother ride, if I buy
>"good" tires with stronger sidewalls?
> - is 185R14 the 'best' size for my needs or would I be better looking for a 205/70R14 (the other
>"official" size according tot he tire pressure plate inside the driver's door)?
> - do I need to consider upgrading my shocks as well? (no idea what is on it, but I expect is
>original factory gear)
>
>Regards,
>Pat Little
>Seattle