I have used the same tires on a 1987 2wd GL van with nearly disatrous
results. After about 20,000 miles, I discovered cracking on the
sidewalls on the INSIDE wall. The outer wall stll looks perfect.

I do drive a bit on the aggressive side and keep my tires inflated at
about 38 PSI. The van is also lowered about an inch and a half with
H&R springs.

NO cracking after nearly 30,000 miles with replacement C-ratred tires.

BenT

On Mon, 14 Mar 2005 11:50:52 -0500, Robert Campbell
<vanagon-rcampbell@usa.net> wrote:
> Wow, what a discussion -- but that's what we are here for....  But tires
> always seem to bring out a debate don't they :-)
>
> Thanks for the info everyone, and I've put these wheels and tires on a CARAT
> (non-camper) which is 3800 pounds (as per the local dump scale) with me in it!
>  So, I feel pretty safe with this combo.  I do prefer, however, the reinforced
> sidewall for anything with this much weight, but I think this setup is fine
> for my application.  AND, since GoWesty is "pushing" this setup for the
> heavier Westy's out there, I feel even better.  By the way, I replaced the
> Yokohama Y356 from tirerack.com with this setup.  Those tires were good, but
> the narrow width of these tires doesn't add the ride of the Vanagon.  I see
> that BusDepot.com is offering a wider (195) 14" tire, but they won't have the
> wider (I think 205 or 215) until late in the year or next year -- this is what
> I was told on the phone.
>
> In the two+ years that I have been driving my '91 Carat (every single day),
> I've not expierenced any issues with the tires --- except that with 185's on
> the van would "wobble in the wind" behind tractor-trailers and it feels like
> it would lean more when doing corners (as compared to my new 215's).  Now, you
> could say I'm a novice Vanagon driver, but since I'm in my machine daily I've
> gotten quite a few hours behind the wheel now.
>
> This setup looks good, and you have many more options with a 15" wheel (the
> wheels cost $550 from GoWesty.com).  I love the look and the ride.  If I
> experience any issues I'll let the list know.
>
>     -Robert
>      '91 Carat, Automatic, 158K Original Engine (but NEW wheels/tires! :-)
>

--
BenT