Date:         Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:07:18 -0700
Reply-To:     Steve Blozis <sblozis@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steve Blozis <sblozis@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: T3 (Vanagon) tires
In-Reply-To:  <8A5575D76518405D9D8AAD73523A563A@mike2d93581d7f>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Oct 2004 - 169800 miles

Purchased 1987 Westy on ebay. Incorrect passenger tires (195/75R14 92) are
installed. Poor (very) handling and don't have correct load rating.



July 2005 - 172657 miles

After reading list discussions on best tire for Vanagon I purchased 5 x
$66.32 Hankook RA08 All-Season Radial Tire 185R14C locally (spare was
original tire which was also replaced). Air pressure 44 front 53 rear (5 psi
above name plate recommended pressures). Now has very firm ride without body
sway in turns.



Nov 2006 17500 miles

Purchased Michelin 215/60-16 HydroEdge and 16 x 7.5 alloy wheels at Go
Westy. I was there for maintenance and they put on the tires for a test
drive. The van looked totally different (much more modern) and handled
significantly better (close to modern van). The tires are wider and lower
profile which improves vehicle stability. Didn't think twice about changing
over/spending $1K even through the Hankook's were brand new. Understand
there are concerns about correct load rating but the improved handling is a
better safety factor in my opinion.



Comments

   1. If you have tires that need to be replaced and are unhappy with
   Vanagon handling seriously consider going to 15"/16" alloy packages which
   allow newer/more modern tire options. The handling and appearance
   improvements with the 16" alloy wheels convinced me to not sell the Vanagon.
   2. Purchase only alloy wheel packages and then purchase tires locally. I
   normally purchase tires at Wal-Mart due to their excellent tire
   replacement/repair policy/free tire rotation/balance which would allow easy
   replacement should there be a problem with one of the tires since there are
   many Wal-Marts where ever you travel. Also this will allow you to select the
   tire that best fits your needs. The Michelin HydroEdge is one of the best
   tires you can purchase but since I don't put many miles on the Westy
   (normally drive only for camping trips) I could have gone with a lower
   cost/lower wear rated tire since there is a concern for tire age (e.g., I'll
   still have useable trend when the tires need to be replaced due to age (I
   believe recommended is 5 years)).
   3. The 16" alloy/tires did improve odometer accuracy. MPG when from 20 to
   18 and indicated mileage on trip to work was very close to mileage from trip
   software.
   4. The 16" alloy/tires don't rub on the sliding door but will spray water
   onto the side of the van.



Additional Information

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_category.php?id=143

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_12_9/wheels_and_tires.html



For sale in Morgan Hill CA

If you don't have the coin or are concerned about proper load rating I have
4 Hankook RA08 All-Season Radial Tire 185R14C mounted/balanced on 14" stock
steel rims.

2500 miles / > 3 years old
Brought back from Go Westy and have been stored under Vanagon in garage
since.
Was going to do more detailed comparision but never had the time.

Please contact - sblozis@gmail.com