That tire has nowhere near adequate load rating for the Vanagon. The load index of 91 is well below the 97 OEM fitment and as a passenger car tire, it needs to be derated for the van application. Starting at only 1350 pounds it is not appropriate at all. I would go to the 225/60-16. This gets you to the 97 or 98 load index and the increase in diameter will correct the speedometer/odometer error. With a good suspension, it will make the van appear to handle like it is on rails without a harsh ride. The capacity for this size is ~1640 pounds. Note that if you need any snow of off road traction, this s not the tire. Look at Continental Extreme Contact. This is an awsome all season tire with snow capability.

Dennis

----- Original Message -----
From: Jack R
Date: Monday, December 18, 2006 1:12 pm
Subject: Re: tire switch, impressions. Long.
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> Don,
>
> I am going to try the 16" rims with these tires as a combo. (if
> the offset
> is OK on the rims I just got).
> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Solus+KH16&
> vehicleSearch=true&partnum=155HR6KH16&fromCompare1=yes&speed_rating=T&speed_
> rating=U&speed_rating=H&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&speed_r
> ating=Y
> Kumho Solus KH16 (Grand Touring All-Season)
> Size: 215/55HR16
> Blackwall
> HR Speed Rating 44PSI Max
>
> I'll let "EVERYONE" know how this works out.
>
> Jack
> 84Westie, Wolfsburg - full camper
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of
> Don Hanson
> Sent: Monday, December 18, 2006 12:15 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: tire switch, impressions. Long.
>
> Hi, just got two new mud and snow tires on my 84 partial westy.
> Impression?Better traction, awful handling. I was running 4
> Michelin LTX in the 195-75
> r 14 in load range c, 6 ply rating. These were down to the wear
> bars and
> not making my van move in wet grass, snow or mud. So I bit the
> bullet and
> decided to get some new. I went to Les Schwab, if you live out
> west you
> probably know of these guys.
> Got some Wildcat LTs, same size, same ply rating, same load
> range as the
> Michelins. Had the techs choose the best two Michelins and
> replace the
> worst two with the Wildcats...Well..the traction is very good
> now (for a
> Vanagon, I guess) but the van is now really scary to drive! I
> am going to
> have to remedy the van's new 'smooshey' feeling rear..I guess
> the sidewall
> flex of the two brands is pretty 'miss-matched', despite all the
> numbers,ratings, plies and sizes being the same.
> When you 'turn-in' on a corner, the front goes, and after what
> seems like
> a second, then the rear kinda 'sashshays' around, too. Really
> disconcerting. I find myself turning the front and waiting.
> Then, once
> the rear finally "takes a set" I have to re-adjust my 'line' to
> catch it
> all.
> Sorry for the 'race driving terms'. Has anyone else had
> problems with a
> Wildcat LT tire install from Les Schwabb? They are an out west brand
> similar to Big O.. One interesting note that makes me ask this
> question:When I went to buy, the counter guy offered me a deal
> on 'basically new"
> Wildcat LTs..He wanted to sell me 4 at 20% off, said they only
> had under 100
> miles on em..I only wanted to pay for two tires right now, so I
> declined..but now I am wondering why he had these "take-offs" in
> a Vanagon
> size to re-sell..Somebody else find their van wallowing like a
> hippo on the
> Wildcat brand..maybe?
> I am going to have to either try a different brand or get two
> more of the
> Wildcats to even out the handling..I should know better than to
> mix brands
> of tires, but my thinking was since all the numbers were exactly
> identical,the handling couldn't be too different...Wrong!
> Don Hanson
>