Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (April 2013, week 4)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:49:28 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: I hate to get a tire discussion
Comments: To: mcneely4@COX.NET
In-Reply-To:  <20130423202328.5UP1K.134503.imail@eastrmwml106>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

When you were a kid did you have a bicycle with the non-pneumatic (solid or hollow core hard tires)? Remember at some point getting a bicycle with pneumatic tires and what an improvement that was? Well even back in 1986 VW knew that something different was needed in the way of tires and many of the later vans were delivered with the 205/70-14 XL tire. In the final days of the Eurovan the standard tire was a 225/60-16XL. For those that do not want to upgrade their wheels my current choice is the General Altimax. It is reasonably priced, has the same (actually slightly higher) ratings as the original Michelin MXL 205/70-14 XL and is a true all season tire with the M+S rating.

14 tires for larger vehicles are becoming harder to find. I'm looking for performance tires in that size suitable for my 380SL and the choices have become very limited. 16's may be coming!

Dennis

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Dave Mcneely Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 8:23 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: I hate to get a tire discussion

going, but ................... .

I need to get tires, and I have the original 14" steel wheels. Right now, I have Kumho 857 radials. Some folks have complained that the tires are described as "trailer tires," by some dealers. However, the Kumho web site describes them as being for vans and transporters, the load range is appropriate (LT rated D), and there is no trailer restriction on the sidewall.

Hankook RA08 tires have been recommended on here, including by one of the list vendors. I looked them up on the Hankook web site, where, guess what, they are listed only under the designation for "trailer." They do not show up as LT tires, SUV tires, anything else. The description says, however, that they are for vans and transporters, and the load range is suitable for our vehicle.

So, before I buy a set of these, I want to know that they are not restricted to trailer use. That would not be good. On the Kumho 857s, I and at least one other list member actually contacted Kumho and learned that those tires are listed for trailers simply because almost no other vehicles in the U.S. call for an LT tire on a 14" wheel, and so trailers are where the market is, but that the tire is sold elsewhere for use on vans. Is the same thing true of the Hankook RA08?

Thank you,

David McNeely


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.