The COSTCO tire shop has a tire and sizing spec database, and will only
allow minor deviation from what the database says.  I had to beg special
dispensation from the supervisor to get oversize tires on my Suzuki.  Even
after I showed them that I already had that size tire, and simply wanted to
replace them, they insisted that the size I wanted would rub.  The old ones
didn't and the new ones don't.

Raymond

On 9/5/07, David Kao <dtkao0205@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Andrew, you may be not familiar with Costco. Its tire department will not
> sell
> tires not meeting the requirement to Vanagon owners. They used to have one
> model
> specifically stocked for Vanagons. That's when I got the tires. It has the
> correct
> load index with reinforced sidewall. They have proven to be very durable
> tires.
> I often used my Westy as a truck carrying 500+ kg of load (drums of
> liquid) roaming
> on local freeways. The only problem with these tires is that they are more
> likely to
> skid when braking hard.
>
> Costco's technicians don't really know the requirement for Vanagons. But
> somehow
> the sale person at the front desk knows to say no to me these days. They
> simply
> do not have the right tires for Vanagons any more.
>
> I have the correct tire pressure on them. Actually I put slightly less
> pressure now
> since the tires are getting old. Still I have 38 PSI for rear and 35 PSI
> for the front.
> I would pump up a few more PSI before using it as a truck.
>
> David
>
>
> --- Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ> wrote:
>
> > >A couple of year back I put on a new set of tires purchased from Costco
> for my
> > >Westy. As soon as the first time I pulled the brake a little hard the
> Westy
> > >was like skiing on the freeway. I immediately realized that it was
> > >the new tires
> > >that made it skid. Even today the Westy is still more likely to skid
> > >than my 84
> > >is. It has something to do with the tires. It's a set of Kirkland brand
> tires.
> > >The tire's spec met the requirement for Vanagons.
> > >
> > >I believe you will find your Van's traction different if you have a
> different
> > >set of tires on it.
> >
> > As I keep saying, the wrong choice of tires can KILL you. What works
> > well on one model may be a disaster on another. Some (read no-names
> > like the above) are there merely to keep the wheels from scraping on
> > the road. Worst-case: Try a set of crossplies on a Split without
> > swaybar, like my 57 panel... the rears have almost zero traction on
> > dry pavement. Specifications be damned; "good enough" ain't good
> > enough! Junk tires might work OK most of the time... but it's just
> > when you need grip the most that they'll let you down, and then it'll
> > be too late for regrets.
> >
> > That cow which just ran out of the scrub beside the road... the
> > bugger who just ran the red light across your bow... hell, not enough
> > grip to slow down in time, or to swerve, much less both... BANG,
> > you're DEAD.
> >
> > This is why you don't fit Barums or Nyetskids to a 911.
> >
> > >84. When the tires are near the end of their service life the traction
> > >will turn worse too.
> >
> > Nope, traction increases with wear. That's why racers use slicks;
> > maximum contact area; where there's a treadgap, there's no grip. In
> > the wet however it's the reverse, slick tires are more likely to
> > aquaplane.
> >
> > >All tires are not created equal. Proper tires for
> >
> > Dead right. Put the best tires you can ALMOST afford on. Don't go for
> > LTs, get quality car tires with the right load rating (yes, they sure
> > do exist). For topheavy campers the problem is more tricky...
> >
> > And always remember to bed new tires in carefully for a couple of
> > hundred km... they have a slippery release agent to allow easy
> > demolding. Ask motorcyclists about this...
> >
>
>
>
>
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