At 08:58 AM 3/14/2009, Chris S wrote...

>Now, let's compare some more.
>
>I once had a 1993 Ford Aerostar.  Its curb weight was 3400 lbs and it
>could carry 7 passengers.  No where did the manufacturer specify
>reinforced tires.  The stock 215/70 R14 tires, which fit the Vanagon,
>have a max load rating of 1554 lbs.  The tires are NOT reinforced.

That's not a standard load rating:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35

Would that be the 1993 Aerostar talked about here?
http://www.allworldauto.com/comments/1993_ford_aerostar_comments_and_complaints_24771.html

Where the following comments have been made:

"Tire blew out on interstate, entire side. was driving at normal speed
in normal conditions."

"Tire blew out, when vehicle stopped tread was seperated from rest of
tire."

"my front left tire suddenly blew out."

"the left rear tire suddenly went flat"

"failed with a tread separation blowout"

"tread coming off tire"

>A 1991 Vanagon GL has its curb weight listed at 3400 lbs.  But somehow
>its tires are required to be reinforced.

You're not convincing anyone that you know more than the factory
engineers. Why would you presume to apply Ford specifications to a VW?
It would just as valid (that is, completely invalid, although quite
obviously safer) to go the other way. As has been pointed out, VW never
equipped the Vanagon with tires having a capacity of less than 1609
lbs. (load rating 97), although they could have saved money by doing
so.

Hey, I've got a set of el-cheapo 185R14 passenger car tires, with rims,
which the PO had on. Want to buy them cheap?