Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 14:28:31 -0500
Reply-To: Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Vanagon OEM tire report Yes,
I am still using a 22 year old tire
These were XZX Michelins.Dont know the tire size,but they did not inflate
to normal pressures for the Vanagon.Maybe either 35 or 44psi.Dont
remeber.NOT 48psi. Those 4 tires are history, currently being used as a
off shore reef. No sin, as I have NEVER seen a single tire on a junked
vanagon that was correct.NEVER!!I would buy it used, if it had any tread
left.Never seen one.Not ever.Talking about 30 or 40 Vanagons. That said, I
have never heard of Vanagons being is excessive accidents,either.I bet
most people here on the list do the same for tires.I do.Most just cant
afford $150 each for tires.Believe me,I would like to buy good tires. Got
pep boy tires that work just fine for tread wear.Inflate to 44psi. God
loves me. Cost $25 each with balancing.That is not the charge for
balancing.That is the total cost with balancing and FET,NEW. Put 43K on
the two rear ones, and they got about 5K left.This is a westy.They are
Futura tires.
I write here, because I find it interesting that Michelin( of all people)
cant make a tire that will age,and that it may be possiable to use old
tires that came with the Vanagon..The XZX were made about 1992 and had
almost all tread left.They sat and sat for years.I am sure at least two of
them were in the shade for that time.The Vanagon had 62K.The side walls
were all cracked up. The OEM Continental was pristein, and 7 ot 8 years
older.
The XZX tires all destructed the same way.The tread seperated.I started
getting a feeling like the balance was going bad.It kept getting worse and
worse.I kept wondering and wondering what was wrong. BLAMMMM!!! The tread
blew out.The steel cords were about a foot long and all ready to stick my
hands as I changed the tire, long side the interstate.Silly me,I kept
putting another XZX on till they all blew out. One after the other. Lasted
about 3k total.Almost new tread,but old. No they were incorrect for the
Vanagon,and this probably contibuted to their demise.I suspect that they
would have lasted 5K on a Camry.Point being,the XZX doesnt age as well as
other tires. The French should know the most in the world about
rubber.They had 200 years to learn, in indochina.I only had the one spare
tire left, at this point, so on it went. A Continental tire form Germany.
Brand new and 22 years old. Got about 3k now on it.Thistire can be
seen .It is currently modeling hub caps in my ebay store :>).I wouldnt pay
anything for it,just happen to have it handy.Gonna have to buy new tires
soon. Hope I can find some correct ones during a junkyard excursion.Still
dont want to pay lots and lots for tires at this time.
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