This is the only compelling argument I've read so far against using M-B sufficient tires on the Vanagon. Good job.

2009/3/14 The Bus Depot <vanagon@busdepot.com>: > Chris S., quoting long glowing GoWesty ad for Michelin HydroEdge 15" car > tires, concludes... > >> Yes, 14'' passenger tires are deadly on a fully loaded Westy. >>  I'm not talking about 14'' tires.  Again, I quote "... they >> provide WAY better handling and safety." > > > GoWesty's claim directly contradict both Volkswagen and the U.S. D.O.T.  As > per VW, using 15" or even 16" tires does NOT eliminate the need for an > extra-load tire. The Eurovan, for example, has about the same GVWR as the > Vanagon and came factory equipped with 15" and 16" tires.  Yet VW specified > ONLY extra-load tires in both 15" and 16" sizes. The same applies to the > current model T5 van, and even to earlier Buses that came equipped with 15" > tires (and weighed less than Vanagons).  In fact NEVER has Volkswagen > recommended passenger-car rated tires for their vans, no matter whether 14", > 15", or 16".  If you do the math regarding D.O.T. safety requirements for > Vanagon tires, as explained at http://busdepot.com/details/tires.jsp, you'll > see that federal regulations also prohibit the use of standard-load > passenger car tires - regardless of size - on VW vans. > > Volkswagen did not just randomly come up with the minimum specs for tires on > the Vanagon. Such specs are based on solid engineering and testing. The fact > that they continuously tweaked recommended inflation over the years > indicates that they also revisited the issue periodically - but over 40 > years, NEVER ONCE waivered from their insistance that extra-load tires must > be used. > > So, you can rely on Volkswagen's own engineering, or the unproven advice of > a retailer who has a vested interest in your ignoring factory safety > recommendations (they want to sell you their wheels/tires, which don't meet > VW specs). Given that it is possible to buy appropriately rated Vanagon > tires in all sizes, why on earth would you take this risk?  Might as well > stop wearing your seatbelt too. If Volkswagen turns out to be right after > all, it will be during evasive maneuvers (when most of the weight is > transferred to one wheel) when you will find out. In other words you'll find > out the hard way as your van flips over. But at least while you see your > loved ones being crushed or ejected from your Vanagon, you'll have the > comfort of knowing you saved a few bucks on tires. > > - Ron Salmon >  The Bus Depot, Inc. >  www.busdepot.com >

-- Chris S. Disclaimer: "Death and serious injury may occur"