Date:         Sun, 22 Jun 1997 11:24:38 -0700
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Ari Ollikainen <ari@interserve.com>
Subject:      Re: performance tires


>> "I'm thinking of going with 225/60-16 myself.  Higher load rating than
>> stock 205/70-14 reinforced.  Where can I get rims?"

[snip]
>Sure sounds like a good idea.

        Load ratings are NOT everything! The cross-section and rim-to-pavement
        dimensions are important in determining ride comfort and/or handling
        capabilities... Vanagons (and EVs) as well as other vehicles with a
	higher than boy-racer center of gravity combined with fully 
	independent suspension, produce dynamic lateral sidewall loads that call
	for stronger sidewalls and tire costruction which can deal with 
	the sidewall flexing. Boy-racer tire solutions are generally of
	the genre of a wide footprint and larger wheel to compensate for the
	reduced distance between rim and pavement due to the numerically
	lower aspect ratio (tire height/tire width). 

	Give some thought to the use you are going to put your vehicle to
	before going down this route...

'91 Westfalia
'91 Carat

(ex)'85 Westfalia
(ex)'85 GL
(ex)'81 Westfalia
(ex)'73 Westfalia
(ex)'71 Camper
(ex)'69 Westfalia
(ex)'66 Westfalia