Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 11:34:26 -0700
Reply-To: Eric Spletzer <eric@CRAFTEDEARTH.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Spletzer <eric@CRAFTEDEARTH.COM>
Subject: Re: TIRES NOooooo....
In-Reply-To: <015801c48478$fda7efc0$71fb923f@o3y0r1>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
Hey all -
I jut replaced my tires with the Bridgestone Dueller AT 195 70R14 on my
85 GL camper. Load class C. I hope they're okay. Anybody have any
horror stories?
Good looking beefy tire with lots of tread. Should be good for
climbing to kirkwood this winter (9000 ft). Have only put about 300
miles on since then, but I love the feel of the new tire. Amazing that
you can actually feel a difference in the drive. Wish I had more mile
so I could vouch for them. We'll have to see.
-eric
-------
'85 GL Camper
On Tuesday, August 17, 2004, at 09:39 AM, Ron Komoroski wrote:
> Hey Y'all
> This past weekend one of the old Michelin XZX tires on our '87 Westy
> full
> camper decided to spit off its tread at 65mph whap-whap-whAP-WHAP-WHAP
> etc.
> etc., fortunately it didn't deflate & I was able to get us safely to a
> flat
> area well off the pavement. A real mess-torn up body around the left
> rear
> wheel well & a tangle of razor sharp wires on the tire. The rest of the
> Michelins are the same age (prolly over 10 years), so I'm going to
> replace
> them all. I spent several hours purusing the list archives searching
> TIRES &
> got nothing but frustrated, so, HELP! I want to buy 5 new tires to go
> on
> the stock 14 inch wheels that are:
> 1. A proper size, We bought the Westy w/the 185R14 reinforced XZX
> Michelins
> on it. They have always looked a little small to me. The door post
> lists a
> 205/70 R14 97R alternative, does it look larger on the camper-is such
> an
> animal even available any more? Is there a 14 inch tire that looks a
> little
> "beefier" on the van available?
> 2. Proper sidewall strength & load rating. Our Westy is a full camper
> (heavy) & runs most of its mileage at speed on the superslabs towing a
> trailer/motorcycle rig that weighs about 800 lbs. I'm sure it's
> putting an
> extra load on the rear tires.
> 3. Mud & Snow rated, we DO get snow here in the VA mountains & at such
> times
> we can be ticketed for driving w/out MS tires.
> 4. As stable, smooth, easy rolling (good gas mileage)& quiet as can be
> had &
> still satisfy 1,2,&3 above.
> Anyone who has put such a tire on his or her Westy (or loaded Vanagon
> van) &
> run enough miles to show up any glitches please send me the
> brand/model/size
> off list (there's no need of ANOTHER tire thread!)
> Thanks much,
> Ron Komoroski
>
------------------------------
Eric Spletzer
Crafted Earth Design
1577C Pershing Drive
San Francisco, CA 94129
415.221.3742 - land
415.699.9662 - mobile
"Ad astra per alia porci" - John Steinbeck
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