>Nothing wrong with the 16" wheel. The problem is that size tire. An
>exception would be if the tire is specially designed for that load
>but I do not know of one in that size. I run 215/65-16's which in
>standard form have a load index of 98. 225/60's would be 96 and they
>are available in reinforced versions which are usually 104.

The tires are no problem. The Hankooks on my 18" wheels are rated
more than enough for a loaded (if not FULLY loaded) T3. And I rather
doubt I will ever load it fully... kinda hard with those big heavy
hard-to-remove seats in there (if i need to move a heavy load, I have
the Hiace). These Hankooks are not designed for very heavy vehicles,
but as I keep saying (and keeop being ignored), there are plenty of
such tires which are.

>They also don't have any potholes...

EVERY country has potholes.  We even have them in NZ, and there are
plenty of cars running around with 30% profile tires... and possibly
lower. Never heard of anyone having problems.

>I can absolutely guarantee you that those Germans running 18" wheels ARE NOT
>using tires with a LI of 89.  They would never get a gutachten from the TUV
>(sort of like a vehicle inspection here in the States).

They will be using low-profile tires of appropriate rating, which are
readily available.
--
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin
New Zealand
Fossil preparator
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut

HUMANITY: THE ULTIMATE VON NEUMANN MACHINE

DEMOCRACY: RULE BY THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR