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Date:         Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:05:33 -0400
Reply-To:     The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Subject:      Re: New tires
In-Reply-To:  <BAY152-ds149B401B337ABE8FACA8A3A0E30@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> I wasn't able to locate the load-inflation table > for that specific tire but that size regardless of > the C or D rating is only good for about 1,200 > pounds at 40 psi. Compare that to a standard > 215/70-14 which can carry 1,554 at 41 PSI. Follow > the recommended pressures on the door jam for the > tire size used or get the look up tables and > adjust for actual load.

The Hankook RA08 185R14 is rated for 1874 lbs and 65 psi, as per the factory data sheet (the 195R14 slightly higher). Of course as Dennis noted that is the maximum, not recommended, capacity. You should always follow the inflation requirements on the door jamb.

If your Vanagon's handling is "boaty" even with Hankooks, Scott is right in looking toward the springs. If the original springs are well worn, even replacing them with comparable but new springs will make a HUGE difference. Stiffer/lower springs will tighten up the handling even more, but can make the ride a bit harder. My '89 Westy (may it R.I.P.) had lowered performance springs, and while I loved the handling you did feel the bumps in the road more. When I got my current '87, it had the original springs and they were completely shot. To borrow Scott's term, it wallowed like an "understeering pig," even with decent shocks and Hankooks. This time I opted to replace the springs with our aftermarket standard springs instead of our performance ones. What a difference - the wallowing was almost completely eliminated and the van handles great. Not quite as well as with the performance springs on my last Westy, but to my taste it comes very close while maintaining a slightly more comfy ride. Having tried both over the long term, I think that personally I would go with the standard ones again over the performance ones.

We do offer both aftermarket stock springs and performance springs for non-Syncros, so you have a choice. (I believe our prices are the lowest anywhere, as we import them directly from Germany ourselves.)

Front Springs (replacement for stock) - http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=251411105A952

Rear Springs (as above) - http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=251511105952

Weitec Performance Springs (set of 4): http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=333000268

- Ron Salmon   The Bus Depot, Inc.   www.busdepot.com   (215)  234-VWVW

_____________________________________________ Toll-Free for Orders by PART # :  1-866-BUS-DEPOT


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