Toyo and Conti and Vredestein all list low pro "tyres" with higher ratings
than the US.  What a lot of people don�t realize is that many European tire
companies are gearing up for what is basically being called "run flat" here
in the US.  That means pax tires with much stiffer sidewalls (and the much
stiffer price that a US buyer isnt going to pay until required in
approximately 2009
The vredestein ultrac tires.
    
255/35 ZR 18 94 W XL
255/35 ZR 18 94 Y XL
265/35 ZR 18 97 W XL
265/35 ZR 18 97 Y XL
225/35 ZR 19 88 Y XL
235/35 ZR 19 91 Y XL
235/40 ZR 17 90 W
245/40 ZR 17 91 W
255/40 ZR 17 94 W
225/40 ZR 18 92 W XL
225/40 ZR 18 92 Y XL
235/40 ZR 18 95 W XL
235/40 ZR 18 95 Y XL
215/45 ZR 17 87 W
225/45 ZR 17 91 W
235/45 ZR 17 94 W
225/45 ZR 17 94 W XL
245/45 ZR 18 96 W
255/45 ZR 18 99 W

And even Pirelli has heavier tires available in 17 18 19 inch.
<http://www.us.pirelli.com/en_US/tyres/catalog/tyre_product.jhtml?selected=s
ize&catid=US_UHP&productid=2647>

On 3/22/05 12:04, "Jeffrey Schwaia" <jeff@VANAGONPARTS.COM> wrote:

> 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).
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Jeff
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Andrew Grebneff
> Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 3:44 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Wheel Offsets
> 
> 
>> Wow, What an unsafe combination. Most tires in that size will have only
>> an 86 or 89 load index rating. The 86 is only rated at 1279 pounds. Take
>> off 10% and that leaves 1,151. You really need to get to a 96 or higher
>> LI. Probably, the largest concern is what will happen if you hit a pot
>> hole or something. There is not enough air cushion in that combination
>> to handle any impacts.
>> 
>> Dennis
> 
> Tell that to all the Germans running 18" wheels! THEY're not having
> any problems.
> 
> 

����������������������������������������
jimt
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Remember that sanity is optional.
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