I agree, order them from Bus Depot and get them mounted locally.  To me its worth the money just to keep Bus Depot around so I can get parts when I need them.  They have gone the extra mile and rush shipped me a gas tank in record time when I needed it badly in the dead of winter.  I had it less than 20 hours from the time I placed the call.  I find their staff very knowledgeable and helpful.  If I get a flat, I keep my spare loaded with a RA08 as well, and I'll just order another 2 from Bus Depot.  For mounting I am usually willing to pay more so long as I can trust it isnt some monkey doing it.

----- Original Message ----
From: Jarrett Anthony Kupcinski <kpcnsk@YAHOO.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 4:28:09 PM
Subject: Re: SSOOORRYYYYYY another tire thread

I don't know about whether the RA08s are discontinued, but my
experience was that ordering from Bus Depot and getting them mounted
locally was still cheaper and easier than getting other tires through
special order at a dealer.  I went to a small local shop and they
mounted and balanced my tires for $5 apiece in 20 minutes while I
waited.  That was far easier than explaining to the monkeys at the
tire shops that I needed LT tires in an odd size for a Vanagon...

"...A vana-what?"
"Vanagon.  Made by Volkswagen. From 1979 to '91."
"Must be foreign.
"It is.  It's a Volkswagen.  It's German."
"Nope.  They don't make tires for that anymore."
"Um, ok.  Your website says you can special order them."
"Nope.  I'm looking in the book right here.  Don't make 'em."
"Hooookay.  Thank you."

...that was when I called a dealer about Continentals, mind you.  My
next call was to Bus Depot.

-Jarrett
89 Westy

       
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