Date:         Fri, 8 May 1998 08:17:30 CDT
Reply-To:     Joel Walker <JWALKER@UA1VM.UA.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Joel Walker <JWALKER@UA1VM.UA.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Tires
Comments: To: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
In-Reply-To:  <01BD7A01.317EC730.lahorgue@ix.netcom.com>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

On Thu, 7 May 1998 21:42:51 +0100 Frank LaHorgue said:
>Excuse me for asking a dumb question here, but what is wrong with using VW
>recommended tires and pressures?  The sticker in my 1986 GL sez 39 lbs in
>front and 48 in the rear, using 185 - 14 tires.

no problem at all ... as long as you are using the ORIGINAL tires (or
new tires just like them) that came on the bus. :) but if you have different
model/size/brand/type tires, use the info on the side of the tire. there's
no way vw could possibly know what tires you and others might put on the
bus, so the only info they can give you is for the original equipment.
when in doubt, use the info on the side of the tire.

now, unfortunately, the tire doesn't say how MUCH to put in under "normal"
conditions. only what the tire will carry at MAX LOAD. so YOU have to
figure out what pressures you want to run. you can start at the Max Load
pressure, and work your way downward a little at a time until it feels
comfortable. but i wouldn't go below about 80 percent of the Max Load
pressure.

and remember: the tire can carry Max Load ONLY at Max Pressure (also stamped
on the sidewall). so if you lower the pressure, you lower the load rating.
that is, if the sidewall says it can carry 1600 lbs (per tire) at 50 psi.
and 50 psi is riding too bumpy for you, when you lower the psi to 45 or
even 40, you also lower the load it can carry!!

and because of personal preferences and different driving conditions, load,
etc., different people will run different pressures in the same tires.
sort of like the "which is the best gasoline" kind of question: there isn't
any "best". it's up to you.

in my own buses, i tend to run about 6 psi higher in the rear, and generally
right at the Max Load pressure. so it's a little bumpy ... so what? :)

joel