Date:         Sat, 24 Sep 1994 10:19:08 -0700 (PDT)
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Wes Neuenschwander <wesn@eskimo.com>
Subject:      Re: Need Vanagon Tires



On Thu, 22 Sep 1994, Tim Smith wrote:

> Date: Thu, 22 Sep 94 09:02:07 CDT
> From: Tim Smith <smitht@jupiter.sun.csd.unb.ca>
> To: Multiple recipients of list <vanagon@lenti.med.umn.edu>
> Subject: Re: Need Vanagon Tires
> 
> my favorites are 1) Sears Trailhandler in 195-70-14 LT  
> 
>                  2) Uniroyal LAREDO, same size, LT or C6 I forget
> 
> Sears was a bargain, free installation + balance at the time, good grip in 
> snow/wet normal noise, no droning. Uniroyal same, more expensive though. 
> Continental are like banana skins, so don't go back. I've been stuck in wet 
> grassy campsites with them! Michelins are $$$ also. Like you noted, you NEED 
> 6ply/light truck rating, don't get talked out of it, no matter the $ saving.
> Welcome to the list, know any good songs?
> 
> 
I had the same experience with the Continental tires - I (and my friends) 
couldn't believe how little traction I had.  Got stuck on nearly level 
grassy campsites too.  

However the Michelin 205/70R14's I've got on my '91 Westy have another 
problem:  They cause the van to squirm and shift side to side in windy 
weather or traffic turbulence, sometimes severely.  I've had to reduce my 
speed to 40-50 mph on occassion, just to maintain control.  Feels almost 
like loose steering gear, but I've had it checked twice.  A couple of 
tire stores have said it's the tread pattern on the Michelins.  Don't 
know for sure, but do know that my '82 camper - equipped with the 
Continentals - didn't have this problem (actually handled extremely well 
in turbulence/cross winds).  Would definitely be interested in hearing 
from anyone else who's had/solved this problem - it's scary!!