Date:         Wed, 2 Sep 2009 20:21:05 -0700
Reply-To:     Melissa Mourkas <westywoman@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Melissa Mourkas <westywoman@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Re: Dare I start a Tire thread? 15" Nokian Hakka C
In-Reply-To:  <29069713.26921.1251667453367.JavaMail.mcneely4@127.0.0.1>
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I want to thank everyone for their input on this subject. There sure
are a lot of informed opinions out there.  I found this decision to
be much more difficult than it perhaps needs to be, because, on the
one hand, there are so many choices and on the other hand, so few.  I
consulted with my trusted Vanagon mechanic, heard the arguments pro
and con for the GoWesty Michelin HydroEdge and from everything I read
and heard, I think the Michelin Agilis is probably hands-down the
best, most well-known, reliable tire for a 2WD Westy doing most of
its traveling on paved roads.  However, the Agilis is terribly
expensive. Especially after what I have $pent to get this new rig
$hip-$hape. (Recall the $quishy brake$?).

All that said, I have decided to order the Nokian Hakka C 205-65-15
from Van Cafe.  They have a special on shipping this month-50% off!
The tire meets the load rating, has had good reviews (caveat: from
their customers), is environmentally friendlier in production and
will cost about 160 clams less than 4 of the Michelin Agilis.  Once I
get these on board and drive for a while, I will post my comments.
I found a local tire shop that will mount & balance, no problemo.

If anyone has comments on these Nokian Hakka C tires, I'd like to
hear them now before I order them.

Happy trails this coming holiday weekend!  I'll be out there with my
cracking sidewalls, hoping for the best! :-)  At least I do know how
to change a tire: it has happened twice in 18 years of Vanagoning!

Melissa

Melissa Mourkas
'84 Westy Honey Bee
Sacramento, CA