Date:         Wed, 18 Oct 2006 19:28:05 -0700
Reply-To:     Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: What tires for 91 Westy?
Comments: To: The Bus Depot <vanagon@busdepot.com>
In-Reply-To:  <037701c6f320$c21336e0$0a0ba8c0@RON>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Hey Ron!

Have you ever driven a Westy with modern 15" or 16" high-performance tires?

On 10/18/06, The Bus Depot <vanagon@busdepot.com> wrote:
>
> I find these tire arguments absurd. When in doubt, err on the side of
> safety. That just seems like common sense to me.
>
> VW's own engineers (and the U.S. D.O.T.) state that most standard-load
> tires
> are unsafe for use on Vanagons and Eurovans (yes, even in 15-16" sizes).
> That is a fact and is not debatable. Countering their recommendations with
> vacuous arguments like "I've always used passenger car tires and never had
> a
> problem" is like saying "I never wear seatbelts and never had a problem"
> or
> "I drink and drive periodically and never had a problem" or "I smoke two
> packs a day and never had a problem."  It's Russian roulette. Yes, the
> odds
> are that you'll never have a problem - but if you do, it might kill you.
> Take the risk if you like, but don't con yourself into believing that
> you're
> not taking some level of risk.
>
> There are thousands of parts on your Vanagon where you could cut corners
> and
> not risk your safety. Tires are not one of them. In a sudden panic
> situation, your tires will have a HUGE impact on whether you have an
> accident or avoid it. Good, properly rated tires for Vanagons aren't all
> that expensive.  Why even consider chancing it just to save $20 on a tire?
> Isn't your safety - or even just your peace of mind - worth that much? I
> don't get it. This should be a no-brainer.
>
> For more on Vanagon tire safety (including VW's recommendations), see:
> <http://busdepot.com/details/tires.jsp>
>
> - Ron Salmon
>   The Bus Depot, Inc.
>   www.busdepot.com
>   (215)  234-VWVW
>
> _____________________________________________
> Toll-Free for Orders by PART # :  1-866-BUS-DEPOT
>



--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
www.crescentbeachguitar.com