Date:         Wed, 6 Dec 2006 15:35:16 -0800
Reply-To:     roger sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         roger sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Vanagon OEM tire report  Yes,  I am still using a 22 year old tire
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Risking life and limb, I have been road testing this old tire from Germany. It came over on the boat with the 85 Vanagon(my old parts van), it claimed as home. A Continental tire. It is OEM  because ,for one, it is mounted on a silver steel wheel that was in good condition, with almost  perfect paint.It had been stored in tire pan for decades. Never even used.Still has the little rubber molding nubs on the tread,or did. The build date on the tire shows 1985.

  Well, this same van came with 4 almost new Michelin tires. Total mileage was 62K. I figured these Michelins were the only replacement tire that were ever placed on the rims. Build date was early 90's. Not wanting to waste good rubber,I proceeded to mount them on my 85 westy. I had purchaced 4 fine tires,new, from PEP-BOYS, as celibration when I first bought my Vanagon ,3 years ago. After 30K miles the suspension shook 2 of them down to the cords. I replaced them with the Michilens. One after the other, the Michelins blew out.One at a blistering 65mph on rt 95( heading home from a junkyard,full of booty).All 4 destroyed in about 3K.

  My continental with a 22 year old build date, preforms as new. I love it. No problems. I have put about 3k miles on it,alone.This one old tire has outlasted 4 newer Michelins. I like the pep boy tires,too.Two are still going with 42k.Roger




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