Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 12:34:33 -0400
Reply-To: Noto-Gaudette <derwin@NET1PLUS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Noto-Gaudette <derwin@NET1PLUS.COM>
Subject: [Long ] Bought tires (WAS: Field-scouting Tires)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Hi all,
I bought Cooper SRM II Radial LT tires about two weeks ago and want to
share my thought on them despite the risk of infuriating the many list
members who are sick of tire threads...
The tire I purchased is Item #64306, size 195/R14C (aspect ratio n/a.
The 185/R14C size is item #64305). The rest of the stats:
M & S rated (Mud and Snow)
Load Index: 106 (102 for 185/R14C)
Load Range: D (both)
Max load at max pressure: 2095 lbs. @ 65 PSI (1875 lbs @ 65 PSI for
185/R14C)
Speed index: Q (99 mph/130 km/h)
Sidewalls: Black w/black lettering
Width: 5.5 inches (both--fit 5.0-6.0 wide rims)
Diameter: 26.20 inches/665 mm (25.50 inches/647 mm for 185/R14C)--Think
about adjusting that speedo!
Milage warrantee: None
Treadwear: n/a--not required for LT tires
Traction: n/a--not required for LT tires
Temperature: n/a--not required for LT tires
Made in USA
My impressions after a two weeks of town/city driving and a 550 mile
camping trip (loaded w/four passengers and gear): Despite the fact that
I REALLY wanted Michelins, I'm very happy with these tires. Road noise
seems good--they're a lot quieter than the badly worn passenger tires
that the previous owner had on the Vanagon, but I can hear them a little
at 65 MPH. I've been running them at about 46 PSI rear and 42 PSI front;
I haven't
started experimenting with tire pressure yet. I'll probably run 50 PSI
in back, 45 in front. They are stiff in turns, as you'd expect with
these specs. They also handle bumps more smoothly than my old tires. Of
course, I have little to compare to, having almost no vanagon/light
truck tire experience. They're taller than my old tires--so much so that
I notice it in the cab, and I love it. All in all, they seem like a very
good value for someone concerned about load range who wants to keep the
price down (and yes, I believe you get what
you pay for). My cost for four weighed, balanced, mounted, including
pro-rated (huh? there's no milage warrantee on this tire--gotta look
into this...) road hazard coverage and tax, but no rotation package,
also alignment not included: $351.58 USD at a locally owned Cooper
representitive tire store.
Note: Cooper SRMII Radial LT tires for 195/R14C and 185/R14C have a
different tread pattern than the same tires in larger sizes, such as the
ones picture on the Cooper web site
(http://www.coopertires.com/tire_locator/tiredata.asp?tireID=34). This
is the web address for a brand new Cooper web site, BTW, and doesn't
list the 195/R14C size for some reason, although I've been assured by a
representative that this size is "readily available." The SRM II is
described on the web site as having a highway rib pattern and a
high-milage compound. Most sizes are of a five-rib design, having
something like a center rail, but the 195R14C and 185R14C have a four
rib pattern--no center rail, and, to me (FWIW), has more in common with
the appearance of tires described as "all season" than "highway rib" (on
that note: the sidewalls on my tires indicate they're Mud and Snow
rated--"M & S"--I'm not sure if this is true for the larger sizes).
I'm aware that the tire size, by including the letter "C," seems to
suggests a six-ply tire. Nonetheless the Load Range printed on the tire
is "D," which I always thought indicates eight-ply. To make matters more
confusing, the sidewall says "Two ply steel plus two ply polyester
tread/Two ply polyester sidewall." Hmmmmm.....I spoke to a
representative about this, and I was told the "C" merely indicates a
light truck application and "D" implies the load it can safely
carry--neither letter automatically indicates the number of sidewall
plies.
Disclaimer: This message is not diswasher safe.
-George
83.5 Westy
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