Andrew,

You stated,

"How many T3 owners EVER load their vans sufficiently to need tires even
approaching the recommended load carrying rating?"

Answer ... LOTS

I've been collecting Vanagon Actual Weigh info for about a year now as part
of my research on tires.

http://www.roadhaus.com/tires/guideline.html

Results:
- 62% were loaded to within 10% of capacity or more
- 24% were loaded over the capacity spec limits for entire vehicle or axle.

Here's the complete results:

http://www.roadhaus.com/tires/load.html

Another piece of data that suggests it is very important to make safe,
sensible tire choices.

Good tires,

larry chase

www.roadhaus.com
www.roadhaus.com/shops.html
www.roadhaus.com/tires.html

Date:    Fri, 7 Oct 2005 23:17:48 +1300
From:    Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject: Re: Passenger Car Tire Example

>The majority I'll say are pavement pounder's and don't quite require
>what you suggested for hoops.

Very much so. How many T3 owners EVER load their vans sufficiently to need
tires even approaching the recommended load carrying rating?