Larry and the list,
You need more than the 97T load rating to have a safe tire.  97T just says
how much weight the tire can support rolling down the highway without SIDE
load.  The Volkswagen spec is a tire that has REINFORCED SIDEWALLS or a LT
rating.  The reinforced sidewalls is what the HydoEdge are missing and it is
what makes any P rated tire on a Vanagon dangerous.

Best thing to do in your situation is step up to a LT215/75R15 - not much
larger, but a heck of a lot safer.

I share your caution - good luck on the replacements.

David Marshall

Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
4356 Quesnel-Hixon Road
Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3

http://www.fastforward.ca    mailto:sales@fastforward.ca
Phone: (250) 992 7775        FAX: (250) 992 1160

- Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
- Vanagon, Transporter and Iltis Sales and Importation
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Due to the large volume of email  we  receive,  PLEASE  include  previous
emails when responding.  This will allow us to read the complete dialogue
in one message and will result in quicker and more  accurate  responses.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Larry Chase
Sent: March 14, 2005 6:06 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 15" Wheel/Tire Report - Caution

Robert,

Note sure what vehicle you put these on ... But if it's a
Westy I have a concern.

Please forgive me but I have to caution folks on the use
 of the Michelin HydroEdge (215/65-15) tire on a Westy Vanagon.

This is a passenger car tire that "MICHELIN DOES NOT RECOMMEND"  for a VW
Vanagon Westy.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/michelin/michelin.jsp

The generally agreed upon specs for a proper Westy tire are:

Load Index - 97 (1609-1652 lbs)

This tire has a:

Load Index - 95 (1521 lbs)

http://tinyurl.com/557gq

Also .... Passenger car tire specs need to be "derated"
by 10% for use on a Light Truck application.

This is an industry standard.

That would reduce the load Index rating of this tire to: 1369 lbs.

Under perfect conditions this tire will ride and handle fine ...
 Because of its low profile, often a huge improvement if the
previous tires were also passenger car tires.

But the danger is that there is "No Margin For Safety".

I know that GoWesty feels these tire are appropriate ....

They have a detial explanation on their web site that is very  impressive.

But if the Manufacturing of the tire will not warranty it
for this application ... What does that tell you?

Does GoWesty know more than the tire manufacturer?

I'd really hate to see anyone put themselves or anyone else at
risk.

larry chase
roadhaus.com

- - -

Date:    Sun, 13 Mar 2005 16:51:37 -0500
From:    Robert Campbell <vanagon-rcampbell@USA.NET>
Subject: 15" Wheel/Tire Report

Hello Gang!

I pulled the trigger and purchased the 15" alloy wheel/tire set from
GoWesty.com -- after about 50 miles on this simple (but not cheap) bolt-o= n
upgrade I gotta tell you that it is GREAT!

Going from the 185 to a 215 tire width is a tremendous improvement in
stability.  And the Michelin HydroEdge=E2=84=A2 (215/65-15) are quiet and=
provide a nice ride!  I notice a major improvement in the shimmy/shake from
the win= d turbulence when following a tractor-trailer, nearly gone!  And
cornering = feels much better now -- I don't notice the "lean" as much.

So, if you need tires, I would STRONGLY recommend the 15" wheel upgrade a=
nd good tires.  I believe I will be very happy with the hydroedge tires as
I=  live in Florida where I deal only with water on the roadways.

The process in dealing with GoWesty.com was very smooth and I whole-heart=
edly recommend them for your Vanagon needs!  UPS delivered my wheels (over 2
d=
ays)
and I installed them yesterday.  The best $1000 spent to date on my daily=

driver!

<end report>