Date:         Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:21:56 +1200
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <goose1047@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <goose1047@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: low cost Load D tires found?
In-Reply-To:  <49BE6F2E.4090702@cox.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

> Do you think these would be ok for a slow diesel Westy?


Cheap tires are just that... CHEAP.

They not only tend to have a low speed-rating (and please note that
their rubber may begin to degrade at constant speeds well below the
max rating*), but to have low grip as well, and to wear quickly.

You want to live longer? Don't buy cheap tires.

Basically a cheap tire is only good for keeping the wheel metal off
the ground. Some tires are so bad that they should be banned in any
first-world country.

* I had a Honda CBX1000 once fitted with a Dunlop Arrowmax rear tire.
It wasn't a cheapie, burt rather a midrange-priced tire on the
better-quality side of the median. This tire wasn't rated for VERY
high speeds (and I can't remember its actual rating, as this was in
1985, but think it was H), but on one two-up trip at speeds only up to
140kmh or so the tread began to "ball" ie little bits of rubber began
to pull loose, roll-up on the tread surfaces and stick there,
evidfence of rubber degradation. Used later on a racetrack, the tire
"went off" thoroughly and became extremely slippery, making cornering
a wee bit sideways. Good only for the return trip and a burnout, to be
replaced with the best tire available at the time, the new V-rated
Pirelli Phantom... and what a revelation that was! I could even lean
on corners in the wet!

--
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin, New Zealand
Fossil preparator
Mollusc, Toyota & VW van nut

<goose1047@gmail.com>