DaveC <voicebox@DNAI.COM> said -

Are C weight rated tires OK on a non-westy Vanagon?

<SNIP>

Dave -

If you are running 185 0r 195R14 LR C tires at close to the maximum pressure
on the rear so they can handle their maximum load, they are fine IMO.

For the rear tires my '87 Westy says on the door sticker -

185R 14 C @ 48psi  - (The C stands for Commercial, roughly equivalent to
what we call a Light Truck tire, not LR C)

OR

205R 14 97 @ 40 psi  (The 97 on the 205 is about equivalent to load range D)

Notice that they don't spec a load rating on the 185.  Any Commercial tire
that can handle 48 psi would do. On basic 185R 14 Light Truck tires, load
range C, the numeric load rating is 93, or 1435# @ 50 psi.

The 205 is only able to handle the maximum load it is rated for (97 ~ 1600#
IIRC) - at the maximum rated pressure, probably 50 or 60 psi, so at 40 psi
it is probably in the same ballpark as a 185 LR C tire at its maximum
pressure and load rate.

LR C tires should be fine if you are running close to their max pressure.
If you want to run substntially lower than max pressure on the rear, you
will need a tire that can handle a heavier load.

The key to choosing sturdy enough tires is to match their capacities AT THE
PRESSURES YOU WILL RUN to your vehicle weight.

Road feel and handling are different questions.

- Mike

Mike Finkbiner
'87 Westy
Moscow, ID
mike_l_f@hotmail.com

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