Date:         Fri, 29 May 2009 14:11:47 -0700
Reply-To:     David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Costco Tires[Was: Gowesty wheels]
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

While we are on the thread of tires I have a question about the
Costco Kirkland Signature tires I currently have on my 83.5 Westy.

The said tires I have were probably the last batch Costco had for
Vanagons about 5 years ago. They are light truck tires with reinforced
sidewall with sufficient load rating and max pressure. I always had
about 45 PSI for the rear and 38 PSI for the front. I have had about
25 kmiles on them.

The problem is I discovered that my front tires have significantly more
wear on the center of the tread than the edges. This is an indication
that the tires have been over inflated. I just released some air from
the tires. I have 34 PSI for the front and 38 PSI for the rear now.
What is strange to me is the tires still look very tall. They look
definitely properly inflated despite the pressure has been much reduced.

My question is, is this because the tires are light truck tires that
are stiffer on the sidewall? With less air pressure the ride seems to
be the same, maybe slightly softer. On bumpy roads these tires are too
stiff to me. They cause incredible rattle to the furnitures in the Westy.
My 84 GL has softer tires. It runs clearly much quieter.

David