Date:         Mon, 20 Sep 1999 11:38:52 -0700
Reply-To:     Bob McMain <RdRunr@ZIANET.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bob McMain <RdRunr@ZIANET.COM>
Subject:      Re: Test Drive
Comments: cc: José Rafael Moscoso <jmoscoso@CARIBE.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

>Tom, Fellows and Fellaws:
>I recently changed my tires to 205-75-14 on my Westfalia '84.  I have
>noticed an apparent speed loss and a lower mpg.  I usually had 200 miles
>before the gas meter needle ran into red.  Is this common finding? ...due
to
>the wheel size?
>JRM

Hi Jose.  I've seen another msg on the list about this issue of the
205-75-14 OEM tires and a similar problem to what you report.  So, I thought
I'd jump in with my two cents worth.  I have an 87 Vanagon Syncro Westy that
I bought in Nov '98.  It only had 22,500 miles on it and had the original
tires---Michelin 205-75-14 R(reinforced).  Driving with those tires I
noticed that the trip mileage meter registered higher than the actual
mileage as measured by the mile markers on the interstate.  I wanted new,
good tires that would work on and off road and that would hopefully make my
trip meter and odometer more accurate.  After much talking, testing, and
cogitating (plus encouragement from my son who loves the Bridgestone Desert
Duelers), I decided on a set of four Bridgestone Dueler AT's size 27X8.50
R14 LT's.  These are excellent tires AND my trip meter now registers mileage
consistent with the mile markers on the interstate.  The tires are noisier
than the OEM's, but not terribly so.  Another plus is that the tires make
the syncro handle exceptionally well on and off road, plus they really look
cool!  Hope this info helps.

Bob
87 Syncro Westy"
91 Trooper II
97 Honda CR-V