Date:         Fri, 24 Jan 97 07:30:21    
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         mdstockr <mdstockr@neo.lrun.com>
Subject:      RE: Blizzaks on the EV 

Uniroyals are made by Michelin, as are B F Goodrich.

--- On Fri, 24 Jan 1997 01:50:19 -0800 (PST)  Charles D Earl <cdearl@cats.ucsc.edu> wrote:

>
>I hope you guys don't mind my joining this discussion.  I agree with 
>mdstockr, that it is desirable to use the most tire 
>available.  In some of the previous postings, the axle load vs tire 
>rating was an issue, various numbers were generated.  What I didn't see 
>being taken into consideration is that when your heavy van hits a bump or 
>when taking a corner at speed, the load on the tires (and their 
>sidewalls) can be greatly increased.  My other observation would be that 
>Vanagons are rather tall, stilty vehicles.  I must admit, I havn't had a blow-out yet, 
>but I always imagined that it would be sketchy, especially at freeway 
>speeds (to further concurr that more is better for prevention purposes).  
>Currently, I am running Uniroyal Laredos (C-rated, reinforced 
>sidewalls) all-season tires.  I have had 1 pair for 30k and they still 
>have half of their tread left.  They have excellent traction in dry and 
>rainy conditions.  I went to Tahoe once with them and had good control in 
>light snow conditions (I don't think they have an aggresive enough tread 
>for serious winter conditions).  The best part is that they were only 
>$43. ea. at Costco.  If anyone has any feedback on this tire I would be 
>interested.  Without having used any other tire on my van, I would give 
>them the thumbs-up.  Frankly though, I have been told by many folks that 
>Michelins are the way to go.  Maybe next time, if I can fork-out close to 
>$400.  for new donuts.  My understanding is that we are limited in our 
>choices if we want the reinforced tires in Vanagon sizes.  Ok, I'm done.
>
>Charles
>'83.5 GL Westy
>
>On Thu, 23 Jan 1997, mdstockr wrote:
>
>> I am a big fan of putting the most tire possible on a vehicle.
>> 
>> Plus, Volkswagon/Audi typically undertires their vehicles.
>> 
>> Therefore, I recommend using reinforced tires on Vanagons.
>> 
>> As for EV's, I have no idea what they take.  But, if VW specifies reinforced tires, I 
would 
>> comply.
>> 
>> As for Conti tires, I can not recommend them.  I am not satisfied at all with their 
quality.
>> 
>> My wife purchased an Audi Quattro several years ago.  This car had Conti's and whenever 
>> there was snow on the road, the car would wander all over the road!  Very unstable.  Even 

>> though the tires only had 10k miles on them, I put a new set of Michelins on it.  The 
car's 
>> been wonderful in snow ever since.
>> 
>> I always recommend Michelin, Dunlop and Yokohama tires.  But, I don't know if Dunlop and 
>> Yokohama make reinforced tires for this market.
>> 
>> --- On Thu, 23 Jan 1997 14:44:37 -0600  hal <HDROTH@brownvm.brown.edu> wrote:
>> 
>> >
>> > To MD Stocker:
>> >
>> >               Given your experience in the tire testing business, what
>> >would you personally put non-reinforced tires on a Vanagon or EV? I ask
>> >this because of Ric's new posting and because last year I looked into
>> >buying a set of Nokian All -weather tires for the EV and decided against
>> >it because they were NOT reinforced. The dealer's handbook actually listed
>> >the EV 206/65/15 size but gave a non-reinforced tire for it that could
>> >take about 1500 lbs for maximum load. But after discussions here and with
>> >my local mechanic, I decided not to buy them and went back to the replacement
>> >reinforced Conti's (an average all around tire with a great warranty). So
>> >any advice you could offer would be interesting.
>> >
>> >Thanks,
>> >
>> >Hal Roth
>> >'93 EV
>> >'87 Audi 4k
>> 
>> -----------------End of Original Message-----------------
>> 
>> ________________________________________________
>> 
>>     Michael Stocker <mdstockr@neo.lrun.com>
>>     North Canton, Ohio, USA
>>     LiMBO / GASS
>>     8:19:03 PM  1/23/97
>> ________________________________________________
>> 

-----------------End of Original Message-----------------

________________________________________________

    Michael Stocker <mdstockr@neo.lrun.com>
    North Canton, Ohio, USA
    LiMBO / GASS
    7:30:21 AM  1/24/97
________________________________________________