[tcb] Re: Tires, Regurgitated

  • From: "Ronnie Hughes" <y4s6wd5@xxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <tcb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2006 21:56:51 -0500

Duncan,

The rating is per tire. All of those you are listing meet the requirements.1477 lbs x 2 = 2,954 lbs.

The air pressure relates to the rating of the tire at a certain pressure. You just need to match the load rating of the tire you are considering to the weight listed on the door jam.

I have BF Goodrich Commercial T/A LT tires on Sparky - LT195/75R14 on Vanagon wheels. They ride nicely but would not meet the 2866 lbs required for a Vanagon. They are rated at 1211 lbs x 2 = 2422 lbs. plenty for Sparky, but not rated high enough for my Vanagon.

What size rims do you have? Part of the problem on a Vanagon with 14" rims is trying to find a tire with a high enough rating. Also, to get the correct diameter, you end up with a large sidewall which is great for the ride, but will cause the van to sway. A lower profile tire such as the 215/60R16 I have on my Vanagon have a much shorter sidwall that gives up ride comfort but doesn't sway as much.

You may want to look at some larger rims which gives you a better variety of tires. A Vanagon can use most Mercedes rims (that's what GoWesty uses).

Ronnie


----- Original Message ----- From: "j duncan" <whocanduncan@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tcb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, June 16, 2006 8:10 PM
Subject: [tcb] Tires, Regurgitated


Sorry for revisiting this somewhat well-worn topic but I'm still looking for advice. The Hankook tires at Bus Depot that Dan recommended are sold out with no reorder. Bummer.

Here's what I have, and have found out, so far:

Vanagon specs on door jamb:
GVWR = 5160
Front  = 2646
Rear   = 2866
Front: 43 psi regular tires, 36 psi reinforced tires
Rear:  53 psi regular tires, 40 psi reinforced tires

Freedom has GoWesty 16" rims with Michelin X-One tires. These Michelin X-One are P215/60R-16 rated at 1477 lbs. @ 35psi. Oddly, I cannot find any information on these exact tires but only on larger, truck/RV tires (P235 and up). Regardless, they are underrated, especially regarding the air pressure. Not only does it have a squirrelly ride but I'm certain one of the steel belts is broken in the front, driver's side tire, which is causing a shake in the ride.

Minimum load ratings per BusDepot.com and basically supported at roadhaus.com:
Light truck tires: 1520 (load index 95)
Passenger car tires: 1670 lbs. (load index 99)

I know Ronnie said he's riding, and likes, the 16" GoWesty package, which comes with Michelin HydroEdge tires. They are rated 1477 lbs. @ 44psi. These are still underrated per the weight specs on the door jamb, although they meet the air pressure guidelines.

I would really like to find a tire that handles well, rides quiet and meets the specs on the door jamb. Remember, I'm trailering a bike with a tongue weight (did I say tongue?) of approximately 150 lbs. The only other tire BusDepot.com has available is a snow tire. It meets all the specs but a snow tire in TX?

Here are the tires I've researched so far:
Michelin HydroEdge (P215/60R-16): 1477 lbs. @ 44 psi
Michelin Pilot LTX (LT215/70R16): 1604 lbs. @ 44 psi
*Michelin XPS Rib (LT215/85R16E): 2680 lbs. @ 80 psi
Hankook Icebear W300 (225/60R16XL): 102V load index (This is the snow tire)
*Hankook Dynamic RF04 All Terrain (LT225/75R16): 2680 lbs. @ 80 psi
Hankook Dynapro AS RH03 Highway All Season (P215/70R16): 1709 lbs. @ 44 psi
Hankook Dynapro AS RH03 Highway All Season (P225/70R16-XL): 1984 lbs. @ 44 psi
Hankook Dynamic Z36 All season (LT245/75R16): 1765 lbs. @ 50 psi

* These are they only two that come close to meeting the 2866 lbs rear as specified on the door jamb.

I have no idea if some of the above tires will even fit. And I have no idea how to convert the load index to lbs., although I do know a load index of 100 = 1764 lbs. I'm lousy at math, okay?

Here are some of the best links I've come across on the subject:
http://busdepot.com/details/tires.jsp#Brand%20Info
http://www.roadhaus.com/tires.html
http://www.gowesty.com/wheelstiresinfo.html

I also searched the TCB archives but most threads were for 14" wheels and pointedly led to the out-of-stock Hankook tires.

At the risk of opening a can of worms, I simply want someone to tell me what to buy at this point. I'm exasperated.

Should I go for the passenger snow tires or light truck tires?

WHAAAAAH!!!!!!!!

Oh, I guess I could just go to a tire shop and ask but you know how customer service is these days, "I just work here. . .but trust me anyway."

Thanks for advice,
Duncan
"Freedom van Gogh" 3.3L Vanaru







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