Vanagon EuroVan
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Date:         Thu, 2 Nov 2017 17:42:56 -0400
Reply-To:     Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: The Tire Replacement Manual
Comments: To: David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CACvdLxOxBuX7ZMYbcBZLxqqL9eBKaJWMNHXzkLwX8BSm8m-e0Q@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

We usually cruise at an indicated 65 (actually much less since everybody out there passes us) but with 205/65-16s on CLKs we have the same as stock or more clearance when we need it. We don't do much soft/off roading but would not fear it.

Stephen

Mobile

> On Nov 2, 2017, at 5:01 PM, David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM> wrote: > > Hmmm..... . Well, some of us do drive our campers the way they perform > best, and that is not at the high speeds most folks seem to have adopted. > My high speed for my camper is just over 60 mph on the highway. I take it

> onto back country roads, forest service and BLM roads that fit the point > made in the manual that lower profile tires are much more subject to damage > from road hazards than are higher profile tires. It is in fact the ability > to navigate such roads and to camp in isolation from those who prefer > developed camp grounds that make the vehicle useful to me. > > I realize that the beast has limitations that "modern" drivers dislike. It > has capabilities that I prefer, including high clearance and capability on

> rough roads. This summer I drove on a Forest Service road that required 3

> hours to traverse 11 miles. My camper is not a Synchro. I just drove very > slowly and carefully, easing around washouts and boulders that would simply > stop most folks who would rather have a "higher performing" vehicle, with > less tire sidewall. I don't have my camper in order to go fast or to take

> corners at breakneck speeds. > > On Thu, Nov 2, 2017 at 11:55 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> > wrote: > >> 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> >> 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 >> >> >>


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