My $0.02.

In winter I ran studded Goodyears tires on my "85 GL when I was in
Alaska for all those years. Had them on all 4 wheels. They had a grip
like no other vehicle I ever drove. But without them, my van was trouble
on the the ice and snow.

Currently I run a set Michelin XCA's 205/70R14. This is a tire from
Michelins commercial truck tire line. Good tire, works well, good
ratings - like load Range D, 8 ply, 65 psi.

Don't know how it would handle in ice and snow, with  or without studs.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
John P. Flaherty wrote:

>I have to totally disagree withMark. The purpose of the heavy tread on a
>snow tire is to keep drive wheels from spinning when torque is applied to
>them. It does nothing for improving steering.
>
>When front wheel drive cars were introduced, it was quickly discovered that
>having STUDDED tires on the front only would cause the car to spin under
>hard braking. It whas therefore recommended (in some places mandated) that
>front wheel dirve cars that ran STUDS had to have studs on all 4 wheels.
>
>Over the years a belief that this somehow applied to RWD vehicles developed.
>It's nonsense, and will actually degrade performance when the road isn't
>snow covered.
>
>And 2wd vanagons with studded snows on the rear and quality tires on the
>front do quite well in the snow.
>
>My $0.02
>
>John Flaherty
>Portland, Maine
>'84 GL
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Mark Tuovinen" <mst@AK.NET>
>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Sent: Monday, September 22, 2003 3:23 PM
>Subject: WANTED: winter tires
>
>
>
>
>>Skip the Blizzaks, get a set(4) Nokian Hakkapelitta's. They will cost more
>>
>>
>initially, but less in the long run. They will give you better traction,
>less road noise, and last longer than anything I have ever driven on. Note:
>I work for an automobile dealership in Anchorage, AK and have driven on many
>different tires with & w/o studs in the last 25yrs here. While a rear wheel
>drive can get by with snow tires on the rear only, I do not recommend it. By
>running snow tires on the drive wheels only you compromise your vehicles
>handling and braking abilities. The few extra dollars saved when you buy
>only two tires will disappear rapidly when you pay your insurance deductible
>after an accident.
>
>
>>Mark in AK
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Hey guys,
>>I'm getting ready to do my first chicago winter with my "new" '84 vanagon
>>that I picked up this summer.  AS I sometimes hit rough conditions, I was
>>planning on putting some snow tires on, at least on the back.  I'm looking
>>for a good deal, so I'd take good quality used tires.  Ideally I think I'd
>>like to pick up some blizzaks, but I'm probably willing to be flexible
>>there.  Any sellers or suggestions?
>>
>>Thanks a bunch,
>>wes
>>'84 vanagon 175,500
>>
>>
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