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Date:         Sun, 9 Nov 2008 21:28:20 -0700
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <goose1047@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <goose1047@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Tire sales-people (rant + info .... long)
In-Reply-To:  <BAY125-DS6FC9ADB072610FAD8BF4DA01A0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I think the base Caravelle MPV (=Vanagon GL) masses about 1400-odd kg; multiply this by 2.2 for pounds.

As a 1-tonne van, the camper gear reduces the cargo-carrying factory limit (which will ha e a big sefaty margin built-in) pretty drastically. A fully-loaded T3 of any kind will mass 2400kg. There are plenty of car tires, including low-profile performance ones, available for this mass.

On Sun, Nov 9, 2008 at 9:07 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote: > Syncro Westys weigh about 3,950 empty. > > Dennis > > -----Original Message----- > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of > Rob > Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2008 2:52 PM > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: Re: Tire sales-people (rant + info .... long) > > A tire thread! Got to love it... > Just out of curiosity how many of you folks have actually weighted > your VW? What it weighs as you drive it day to day, I use the scale > at the dump as I'm leaving. > > I am not recommending anything and really don't want to hear about > the insurance-seat belts-kill your family arguments regarding tires > less than the manufactures recommendations. > > The weight of "your" Vanagon is just something to keep in mind when > you are shopping for tires for a van that (might) weigh less than > your Honda Accord. > > Rob > becida@comcast.net > > > > At 11/9/2008 10:47 AM, Larry Chase wrote: >>Neil, >> >>I'm a big Fan of the Michelin LTX but not in a 14" version. >> >>Points to consider >> >>- On a Syncro loaded to GVWR capacity, each rear wheel will see - >>1521 lbs of weight >> >>- On a 2wd Vanagon loaded to GVWR capacity, each rear wheel will see - >>1433 lbs of weight >> >>- The lowest "Max Load" rated tire VW put on a Vanagon was rated at >>1580 lbs. >> >>The reason VW used a 1580 lb rated tire was to provide a safety margin >>above the actual weight he vehicle could carry if loaded to GCWR. >> >>Note ..... in the actual fully loaded vehicle weight surveys I have >>taken ... a small number of folks were loaded above GVWR. >> >>This is why a 1435 lb rated tire like the 14" LTX is IMHO not properly >>rated for a Vanagon. >> >>Its all about numbers ... actual real life numbers. >> >>So I have to agree with VW on this one ... and recommend a minimum of >>a 1580 lb / LT / Load Range C tire. >> >>larry >>roadhaus.com >> >>- - - >> >> >>Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2008 19:27:49 -0800 >>From: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM> >>Subject: Tire sales-people (rant + info .... long) >> >>Tire in question: Michelin LT 195/75/14 93R Mud & Snow. >> >>On a whim, I went to a local tire shop. The first salesman, tries to >>sell me these Michelins. I was dubious, but curious, so he sent me to >>talk to someone else. I should say in defense of the first guy, that >>he did recommend some Agillis tires though I didn't actually see them >>to identify what size/model they were. Regardless, I wanted some >>snows. So.... >> >>Ok. Now I'm talking to the second fellow. First off, in reference to >>me saying my Westy needed a minimum 97 L.I. tire, he asks: "where did >>you hear that?". I say: "internet". During the conversation, he then >>refers to the info I got as "crap". Well, now he's inadvertently >>insulting my Vanagon buddies here on this list and elsewhere. (not to >>mention my own intelligence) But to be open minded, I listened. >> >>I knew enough to know this tire didn't have the right load index >>(according to what I've read) but the first fellow looks it up anyway. >>Sure enough. 1435 lbs. But no, they're both trying to convince me that >>it would be fine citing various "examples". Basically continuing to >>tell me I'm wrong. But hey. I'm the customer right? I want a tire with >>a L.I. minimum of 97 dagnabbit! ;^) >> >>To confirm my suspicions: >> >>This from Larry's website (thanks Larry) >> >>"Model: LTX M/S >>Size: LT195/75R14 >>Passenger Car Tire: No >>Load Index: 93 >>Load Range: C >>Max Load: 1435 lbs >>Max Infl@ion Pressure: 50 psi >>Diameter: 25.5 >>Revs/per Mile: 824 >>Fits in Stock Clamshell: Yes >> >>Meets Specifications: No " >> >>Oddly, I didn't see it on the Canadian Michelin website: >> >>http://www.michelinman.ca/specs/ltx_m_s/27.html >> >>Did they stop production of this size? Maybe this tire guy has old >>stock to sell off? I don't see the Agillis in a size 14" either. >> >>Anyhowsers.,..... >> >>IMO, these guys were telling me that a tire VW considers unsuitable, >>was ok. >> >>Would a brake mechanic try to sell me undersized pads (if that were >>even possible) or other incorrect parts? >> >>No. >> >>So why oh why, would a tire guy, >>try to sell me a "pie in the sky"? >> >>Yeesh! ;) >> >> >>Neil. >> >> >>No virus found in this incoming message. >>Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com >>Version: 8.0.175 / Virus Database: 270.9.0/1778 - Release Date: >>11/9/2008 2:14 PM >

-- Andrew Grebneff Dunedin, New Zealand Fossil preparator Mollusc, Toyota & VW van nut Temporarily in Calgary, AB, Canada <goose1047@gmail.com>


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