Date:         Sat, 21 Apr 2007 23:12:46 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject:      Tires, just this one brand, not the whole thread...
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

Everyone who's commented (off list) on what I perceive as supersensitivity to cross winds with my Vanagon says "Tires".  But then they always say..."but check the archives, that topic has been beat to death.."  Well, yeah, I guess there are lots of opinions about tires in the archives, for sure.  What I got from it (all the tire posts on the archives) was "you need a stiff sidewall"  "You need the proper weight load rating" and "Vanagons are very particular about tires"...So when I got new tires, I carefully wrote down all the specs from my bald Michelin M+S LTXs and went off to the tire store, looking for identical numbers...Got some at Les Schwab, perfect match on all the numbers...Should be good, right?  Not so, apparently..
  I guess I should have been a little leery when the guy behind the counter said "Hey, I will sell you an almost brand new set in just that size for 1/3 off the list price, and give you a full new tire guarantee"..Hmmm, wonder why he had a 'very slightly used' set of those on the racks? 
   Wildcat M+S LT  radials..I have tried all kinda different pressures and they are still like trying to "herd a pig" down the road when the wind is gusty from the side..And on a grated bridge deck?  Whoooie, scary as can be....
  I think I may have to test out that famous "satisfaction guaranteed" claim by Les Schwab...maybe that guy will take em back and try to sell two slightly used sets of vanagon-sized tires to the next sucker...Or am I just being weird thinking an overgrown shoebox ought to not "careen down the road" when it is windy?..I don't recall behavior like that with the old Michelins..or at least not such alarming behavior that it makes driving on a windy day a real chore rather than still somewhat fun..Gives new meaning to "white knuckle driving" trying to keep between the lines on a windy, trucky, crowded road..
  Opinions? Comments?
  Don Hanson