Date:         Sat, 14 Mar 2009 08:58:54 -0400
Reply-To:     Chris S <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris S <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Tires - Why oh why NOT?
Comments: To: Mike S <mikes@flatsurface.com>
In-Reply-To:  <20090314003509.7A7A91165C1@hamburg.alientech.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

I took a peek at TireRack and I see tires with stock spec size for M-B
560 of 205/65/15 and a load rating 1400 lbs.  If you choose to move up
to 16'' you can pick a 215/60/16 and have a load rating of 1500lbs.

Also, the M-B wheels are wider.  The particular ones I want are 7''
wide vs. my current steels at 5.5''.

Now, let's compare some more.

I once had a 1993 Ford Aerostar.  Its curb weight was 3400 lbs and it
could carry 7 passengers.  No where did the manufacturer specify
reinforced tires.  The stock 215/70 R14 tires, which fit the Vanagon,
have a max load rating of 1554 lbs.  The tires are NOT reinforced.

A 1991 Vanagon GL has its curb weight listed at 3400 lbs.  But somehow
its tires are required to be reinforced.

So could it possibly be that because 1) T3 is a commercial chassis, 2)
The stock Vanagon tires are tiny 185R14, 3) the wheels are narrow
5.5'' and 4) 14'' passenger tires that size are designed for a 2000lb
VW Golf, VW decided to specify reinforced tires?  Does that make too
much sense?  This also means if you move to a sufficiently large tire
and wheel combination you could satisfy the safety requirements of the
tire Nazis.  After all, GoWesty is somehow very comfortable boasting
about their non-reinforced tire selection for the Westfalias:
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3075&category_id=369&category_parent_id=



2009/3/13 Mike S <mikes@flatsurface.com>:
> At 07:36 PM 3/13/2009, Chris S wrote...
>>
>> I'm talking about tires good enough for a huge Mercedes 560SEC.  Read my
>> original post.
>
> Once again, what tires does Daimler spec for a "huge" (which is strangely
> comparable in weight to our tiny minivans) 560SEC? Read my reply to your
> original post.
>



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