Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2016 10:58:11 -0800
Reply-To: David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Vredestein Comtrac Winter tire
In-Reply-To: <CY1PR20MB00297863BCB34D2B4F25945BA0BD0@CY1PR20MB0029.namprd20.prod.outlook.com>
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So, I found that tires-easy no longer has the Vredestein Comtrac (all
season) tire. It is listed now as "out of stock." My inquiry as to when
it might be available got an answer of "Not known." I think that
tires-easy's business is finding odd lots from dealers and shippers, so
they may never have the tire again, or any given tire.
I found two other web dealers who offered the tire, one for $140 no
shipping charge, one for $130 plus $20 shipping. I called the latter and
got them down to $138, no shipping charge, but really wanted to buy locally
from someone who would handle any warranty needs and who would keep the
tires balanced and rotated.
Discount Tire, my preferred tire dealer, said they could not get the tire,
something about not having a "relationship" with Vredestein USA. I didn't
inquire as to what "relationships" two tire companies might have ;-}. A
manager at Discount did say that Vredestein USA offers a lot of commercial
tires (this is one), and that Discount does not handle commercial tires.
I've seen a lot of delivery vehicles at their shops getting tires, however.
I found a very helpful young man at my local Les Schwabb dealer, who said
he didn't know the tire or even the company, but he spent a lot of time
looking for it. He then quoted me $103 per tire, $20 shipping, and $13.95
lifetime rotation and balance for the 195R14C. The load index is 106 (D
rating), and the tire bears the mountain peak and snowflake symbol. I told
him to order five of them for me. I will replace my Hankook RA08s with
them, and he will credit me $125 for the five of them, bringing my out of
pocket down that amount. One has less than 1K miles, the other four have
just over 5K (rotated).
If anyone wanted to come to Spokane to get them and would give me $250 for
all 5, and be here next week for sure (meet me at Les Schwabb for my
appointment, not set yet, or come to house after), I would sell them to a
list member. Otherwise I'll just take his credit, as I don't want to have
them laying around while I try to sell them. Email me privately and we'll
talk. I won't ship them.
mcneely
On Sun, Nov 13, 2016 at 10:15 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:
> This is a regular problem with these special tires (Nokian/Vredesteins)
> especially in our oddball sizes. I guess the winter tire production and
> then allocation to the US occurs late summer and when these tires are gone
> that is it until next year. This makes some additional benefit to go to a
> wheel upgrade to get onto normal size tires with the need load capacity.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of David McNeely
> Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2016 11:41 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Vredestein Comtrac Winter tire
>
> tires-easy.com no longer lists the Comtrac M&S. I have looked for it
> from another source, but so far no luck in our sizes. mcneely
>
> On Sun, Nov 13, 2016 at 5:08 AM, vw_van_fan_Mark <madvws@cox.net> wrote:
>
> > The "C" in 195R14C does NOT stand for Load C.
> > That C stands for Commercial.
> > That C means the tire is meant for Commercial use.
> > Commercial tires can have various load letter ratings.
> > The letter load rating will be elsewhere on the tire.
> >
> > I see that various websites show the wrong load rating for the Comtracs.
> > The correct load letter rating is on the tires.
> >
> > Mark
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Dennis Jowell wrote:
> >
> >> David,
> >> I purchased my Vredestein Comtrac All Season 195R14C C/6PR from
> >> Tires-easy.com. Free delivery. Thanks Dennis for the suggestion.!
> >> Even though the m&s tires say " 195R14C "on the tire they are also
> >> rated "D" as per the sidewall for the extra weight our campers carry.
> >> Dennis J
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
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