This is the only compelling argument I've read so far against using
M-B sufficient tires on the Vanagon.  Good job.

2009/3/14 The Bus Depot <vanagon@busdepot.com>:
> Chris S., quoting long glowing GoWesty ad for Michelin HydroEdge 15" car
> tires, concludes...
>
>> Yes, 14'' passenger tires are deadly on a fully loaded Westy.
>>  I'm not talking about 14'' tires.  Again, I quote "... they
>> provide WAY better handling and safety."
>
>
> GoWesty's claim directly contradict both Volkswagen and the U.S. D.O.T.  As
> per VW, using 15" or even 16" tires does NOT eliminate the need for an
> extra-load tire. The Eurovan, for example, has about the same GVWR as the
> Vanagon and came factory equipped with 15" and 16" tires.  Yet VW specified
> ONLY extra-load tires in both 15" and 16" sizes. The same applies to the
> current model T5 van, and even to earlier Buses that came equipped with 15"
> tires (and weighed less than Vanagons).  In fact NEVER has Volkswagen
> recommended passenger-car rated tires for their vans, no matter whether 14",
> 15", or 16".  If you do the math regarding D.O.T. safety requirements for
> Vanagon tires, as explained at http://busdepot.com/details/tires.jsp, you'll
> see that federal regulations also prohibit the use of standard-load
> passenger car tires - regardless of size - on VW vans.
>
> Volkswagen did not just randomly come up with the minimum specs for tires on
> the Vanagon. Such specs are based on solid engineering and testing. The fact
> that they continuously tweaked recommended inflation over the years
> indicates that they also revisited the issue periodically - but over 40
> years, NEVER ONCE waivered from their insistance that extra-load tires must
> be used.
>
> So, you can rely on Volkswagen's own engineering, or the unproven advice of
> a retailer who has a vested interest in your ignoring factory safety
> recommendations (they want to sell you their wheels/tires, which don't meet
> VW specs). Given that it is possible to buy appropriately rated Vanagon
> tires in all sizes, why on earth would you take this risk?  Might as well
> stop wearing your seatbelt too. If Volkswagen turns out to be right after
> all, it will be during evasive maneuvers (when most of the weight is
> transferred to one wheel) when you will find out. In other words you'll find
> out the hard way as your van flips over. But at least while you see your
> loved ones being crushed or ejected from your Vanagon, you'll have the
> comfort of knowing you saved a few bucks on tires.
>
> - Ron Salmon
>  The Bus Depot, Inc.
>  www.busdepot.com
>

-- 
Chris S.
Disclaimer: "Death and serious injury may occur"