Jaime,

Thanks for the specific passenger car tire suggestion.

"Who cares if it is a truck or a station wagon"

I agree ... If its meets the requirments that's all that matters.

Let's look at the numbers

According to tirerack.com

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Sumitomo&model=HTR+200

Sumitomo 
Model: HTR 200
Size: 205/70 HR14
Load Index: 95H  SL 
Max Load: 1521 lbs
Max Inflation Pressure: 51  psi 

Facts:

- The SL indicates that this is a "Standard Load" passenger Car Tire - No
reinforced sidewall. 

- Since this is a passenger car tire the Max Load Capacity has to be reduced
by 9% for DOT & Industry standards

- Therefore this tire doesn't have a 1521 lbs load capacity but rather has a
1384 lbs capacity.

Remember that a 2WD Vanagon weighs 1433 lbs (rear tire) and VW used a
1580lbs load capacity. 

Therefore this would not be a recommended tire for a Vanagon application.

If you want to use a passenger car tire you would need to look for the
following "Minimum" specs.

* XL or RF designation.
* Load Range 100
* Max Load Capacity: 1604 lbs
* Max Inflation Pressure:: 40 psi

 
good tires,
 
larry chase
 
www.roadhaus.com
www.roadhaus.com/shops.html
www.roadhaus.com/tires.html

- - -

Date:    Tue, 4 Oct 2005 20:47:52 -0500
From:    jaime forero <jforero@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: Vanagon Tire Guidelines Report

Hey Guys stop the going back and forth and go out and get a set of Sumitomo
HTR 200, 205/70/14.  Great tire and have held up just fine under normal and
heavy loads.  Who cares if it is a truck or a station wagon. Cheers Jaime