Hi all.

I'm doing a bunch of reading on tires, and learning, but am confusing
myself with the choices.

First point of confusion.

A Nokian Hakkapeliitta CS, has a L.I. rating of 106. Seems fine for a
Westy(Vanagon). But there is no "LT" prefix in the tire sizing
description. So....

With a higher load rating, does one assume it has a 6 or 8 ply
sidewall (C/D load rating)? i.e. stiff like an LT tire?

Yet another question.

I know there's trade-offs, but I'm considering running the same tires
year round. I have read that some do this with the CS:

http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=11889&group=3.01&name=Nokian+Hakkapeliitta+CS

How are other year-round users finding tread wear and hot weather use?
(I think it has a softer rubber compound)

Or would I be better off running these year round (though they seem to
be geared to harsher snow conditions):

Hak C2:

http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=11877&group=3.01&name=Nokian+Hakkapeliitta+C2

Or, if I move up to a 15" wheel (there don't appear to be any 15" CS
or C2's) I would consider these:

WR C (Van):

http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=11900&group=3.01&name=Nokian+WR+C+Van

Anyone using these? I figure if I make my Westy my DD, I'll have to
carry chains anyways.....

I understand a big part of choosing a tire, is getting one that would
work well in the worst driving conditions one might see themselves in.
I won't likely be driving this into snow conditions, but it sure would
be nice to "have my cake and eat it too".

Sorry for such a long post!

Neil.

--
Neil Nicholson '81 JettaWesty "Jaco
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/