Date: Thu, 6 Oct 1994 12:14:44 -0700 (PDT)
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: H Steven Dolan <dworkin@netcom.com>
Subject: Re: Holes In Tires
On Thu, 6 Oct 1994, Jim Macklow wrote:
> All funnin' aside, I wonder if anyone has had a properly-inflated tire
> have a sidewall blowout? I've only had one, and that's when I went
> through a _huge_ pothole at about 70 (in a Jetta). I've had lots of tires
> wear out due to bad alignments, and recently had tread separation kill off
> my two rear tires, but I've never heard of anyone ever having a sidewall
> blowout.
>
Funnyyou should mention it... but I just had a sidewall blowout under
circumstances similar to your Jetta story. I turned into a parling lot a
couple of nights ago, and it turned out to be paved for exit only, with
no sign and high curbs. Cancel one Michelin XZX, a set of wheel bearings
and the front end alignment. About the only things to survive were the
front axle beam (thank goodness {mucho $$$}), and the tie rod, ($40).
Just part of an awful car week, tho, as I have also, in the past week,
blown out a windshield (loaded with lumber when a car pulled out in front
of me), and been merged into by a nissan.
> What is gained by spending $80-$100 a tire with the 6ply or load range C
> rating? I've looked at some passenger tires (aquatred, and some el cheapos)
> and am wondering since they all hold 2000+ pounds each, and the vans only
> weigh around 6000 loaded, what do the high-priced tires have to offer?
> Stiffer sidewalls and better handling? Would I be (economically) better
> off buying the no-name tires on sale for $30 a pop?
This is strictly IMHO, but I have always stuck to the Michelins for
busses, because I tend to stuff them with lumber, bricks, etc. Even if I
didn't I would still get the reinforced, because I figure that a lot of
the "squirmy" feeling comes from sidewal flex, especially on radials.
The weight carrying capacity may not be affected by cheaper tires, but
there seems to be a relationship between price/# of layers and stiffness
of both ride and sidewalls. Maybe by going to a 15" wheel with low
profile tires you could get both good handling and low price. Idunno, I
just follow the instructions, and the thing seems to work (as long as I
don't do too many stupid things at once).
H Steven Dolan
dworkin@netcom.com
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