Right on Steve.  Also, the Vanagon Westy has a fairly high center of
gravity, plenty of side wind resistance that can lead to involuntary
lane changes, and a short wheelbase, all of which contribute to marginal
handling and dictate careful tire selection to provide the best possible
handling and safety.  The phrase "where the rubber meets the road" is
especially meaningful to us!

Steve Sullivan wrote:
>
> Ok, more tech info direct from Michelin (800-847-3435).
>
> For regular vanagons, the MX Reinforced will work.
>
> For campers, the MX will not (despite what Sears assures me). You must use
> the Agilis to avoid some nasty sounding kind of sidewall blowout over time.
>
> Before buying tires, check the door plaque for the requirements of your van.
> Look for the inflation rates, max. weight requirements, and what the Load
> Range is. The Michelin MX Reinforced carries a max psi of 40, which is fine
> for the passenger vanagons, but not high enough for the extra weight of the
> campers. Michelin's pressure specs for campers (at least for my '84) is
> 39psi in the front, 48psi rear. The Agilis tire (which is also a 6-ply
> reinforced tire) runs a max pressure of 54psi., has a maximum weight rating
> of 1875lb, and is an LRC, or "Load Rating C" tire, which is what campers
> need.
>
> Our vans are quite unique in having such a narrow tire carry so much weight.
> Thus the need for the reinforced tire. Because of the engine weight in the
> rear, it has an even higher requirement for inflation than most vehicles.
> The camper weight just adds more weight to the equation. The result: tire
> costs around $100 per tire. Ouch. Still, anyone know of anything cheaper,
> please contact me.
>
> BTW: Both the MX and the Agilis are rated Mud and Snow. The Agilis 61 is the
> one recommended for Vanagons.
>
> Steve

--
Stuart MacMillan
Manager, Case Program
800-909-8244 ext. 8208
Fax: 206-269-6360

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