> - not all tires
> that have 2 ply sidewalls meet VW specs.

vw specs, vw schmecks. :<)  (notice my smiley face)  :<)
 these arent heavy dump trucks here..  just vw campers/vans..  the "vw spec"
thing is slightly overkill..

most of the vans i had, came to me from the PO (and DPO)  with regular 1ply
sidewall car tires..  seemed to work for them..(and half the folks who visit
me..i notice their 1 ply tires when they stop by w/ their vanagons)  Personally,
i would NOT run 1 ply sidewalls myself (they handle like crap), but generic 2
ply sidewalls are easy enough to find anywhere out there without having to go
to some "custom VW spec" tire..   and yes, most of the regular 2 ply sidewall
tires i have bought (including the cheap ones on my van) have sufficient load
ratings for the van..

i guess my main point is i always see people getting all worked up because
they have it drilled into their heads that vanagons need these "special vw spec
tires" when its all a marketing scheme..

i remember going to sears a number of years ago with my vanagon and have them
trying to sell me these special tires that they had to special order in..
they wouldnt sell me anything else, they insisted i get these "special tires"
because thats what the vehicle called for in their "special book"

i went back a week later without the van with the loose rims off the van and
told them i needed tires, and what size i wanted, and i was out the door no
questions asked.  those tires were sears trailhandler (cooper) 2 ply sidewall
tires and theyve been holding up great for years. and they were cheap and
readily avaialble..

there are plenty of low cost tires out there that will safely work on the
vanagon.

y'all just have to look.

ps, ron, dont worry, i dont think this will cut into your special "vw spec"
tire sales  :<)
jk :<)

chris
ok, ok, this is my last tire thread involvement, i promise :<)