Not sure I am doing this correctly to send a reply to my original
question.  If this is wrong, please correct me.

I realize I was not quite clear on my original note.

I will have the Continental Contacts in the front (max psi is 40).
I will have the Continental Vanco's in the back (max psi is 65, I believe)

All 4 tires are 185 R14.

From the replies, it looks like the best thing (given 8 passangers
plus luggage) is 40 in front and 49 in back.

thanks all !!

On 8/7/06, J S <jdshoes@gmail.com> wrote:
> 1990 Vanagon GL (second owner)
>
> The Van came with Continental Contact tires.  Maximum PSI is 40
> (arg!).  While the tread on all 4 is very good (12K miles), I picked
> up a nail that is too close to the sidewall to repair.
>
> I purchased 2 new tires for the rear - Continental Vanco-8.
>
> I can put 36 psi in the front tires (90% of maximum).  What makes
> sense for the back tires?  I could go with the door sticker
> recommendation of 53 in the back (max for the tires is 65 psi, I
> believe).
>
> But is this too great a difference between the front and back for
> stability/control?
>
> I will be traveling with 7 people in the Van for the next ~1,000 miles.
>
> thanks
>