Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2017 18:55:15 +0000
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: The Tire Replacement Manual
In-Reply-To: <CACvdLxMFJa+pSR7cE+VjnmYa=a=gjvV_wCx1i=o2DxZexrq2zA@mail.gmail.com>
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The load index table should also be available form the tire manufacturer. Your dealer should be able to supply this for you. As for that tire not being listed due to obsolescence keep in mind this document is already 11 years old.
For replacement the 195/75-14 is the correct diameter to replace a 185/80-14. As for changing OEM specifications consider the OEM lead in this case. Beginning with the 87 model year the 205/70-14XL was the OEM supplied upgrade. Then there was the move to 15 inch wheels to make room for brakes and other needs on the Eurovan. The last of the Eurovans were fitted with 225/60-XL. See a correlation to my recommendations?
Tire technology has changed and so has our driving speeds. When our vans were designed-built we had a 55 mph speed limit. Few of us travel at 55 or less. We didn't always back then! Getting into the newer tire sizes also gets us some of these newer capabilities. Skinny tires running at high inflation pressures leave you with reduced contact patches and an impact sensitive ride. Think of those non pneumatic tires on your first bicycle or trike. The Vanagon ahs the benefit of a well designed independent suspension with tires being the major limiting factor. There is room for improvement here, but it has to be done correctly.
Dennis
________________________________
From: David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2017 12:44 AM
To: Dennis Haynes
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: The Tire Replacement Manual
Dennis, thanks for providing this. It clarifies a lot. However, I notice that the OE tire sizes for our campers are not included in the tables. I suppose, like has been observed many times on this list, that the tire size being considered by most manufacturers as "obsolete" is the reason. But our vehicles are real, and we drive them. Are you aware of a source that provides similar data for our OE tire sizes? The nearest size in the attached document is LT185/75R14, but of course, the aspect ratio is too low, and the tire diameter would be too small. The OE tire size of LT185R14 has an aspect ratio of approximately 82 as I understand it. The alternate size of LT195R14 of course has the same aspect ratio, and is only very slightly larger in diameter.
The document does reinforce my notion that one should just stick with OE specifications up until that becomes literally impossible. For now, there are still tires available that fit that bill, though not very many choices.
On Mon, Oct 30, 2017 at 6:18 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com<mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com>> wrote:
For all the recent questions I once again would like to point out this reference guide.
http://www.tiresafety.com/images/Tire%20Replacement%20Manual.pdf<https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiresafety.com%2Fimages%2FTire%2520Replacement%2520Manual.pdf&data=02%7C01%7Cd23haynes57%40hotmail.com%7C148a77a8539b450c346408d521ac83c7%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636451947182908333&sdata=om%2Fd4%2BnRWAYAbh%2FoV2yXRBvYWgOeLhIrsgrTNkin7aI%3D&reserved=0>
While is now 11 years old, this is probably the best tire reference manual with the most important information in one place, in a format that is easy to understand.
Of most benefit is the load-inflation tables for most every size tire we would consider. There is some good reading in here. I will be referenicing this manual occasionally in some of my responses to posted questions.
Dennis