I think the 215/65-16 tire is the perfect Syncro tire size, as long as it has the 44 psi inflation rating. This size take out all the speedo and odometer error plus another 1%. The 215 width is excellent for traction and handling without being so wide to cause hydro planning ant the slight hight increase is welcome. The spare tire carrier will hold it with some modification and leaving it deflated. It is also not so large as to require a brake upgrade. Excellent compromise. The load rating is adequate and is in fact higher than the OEM 205/70-14 reinforced tires many of these vans started with.

Dennis

----- Original Message -----
From: The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2005 1:04 am
Subject: Re: Oh Boy! Tire Thread!  (was RE: Michelin LTX/MS 215/75R15 tires...)

> > Now, with the current thread lauding the 215/75R15 LTX, at a
> > diameter of 27.7, I took another look at the HydroEdge spec
> > sheet: Michelin offers the HydroEdge as a 215/65R16 rated 98T
> > with a max load rating of 1653@44...at a diameter of only 26.8.
> >
> > Now...the $64 question: will this tire measure up?
>
>
> Its much closer than the 1580 lb ones you were considering - very
> close, in
> fact - although technically still a tad low. The number to look
> for, if
> you're using passenger car tires, is 1670 lbs or higher, as per D.O.T.
> guidelines. (See http://busdepot.com/details/tires.jsp .)  Go on
> the Slim
> Fast Diet for a few weeks and maybe you'll be okay. :-)
>
> - Ron Salmon
>  The Bus Depot, Inc.
>  www.busdepot.com
>  (215)  234-VWVW
>
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