There is a huge difference between an Odyssey and a Vanagon that
you did not mention. Odessey runs just as fast as an Audi, BMW or
a VW sedan. I was in my V6 Passat to Las Vegas on I-15 last year.
I thought I was faster than everyone. But there was an Odyssey
that I could not beat. Each time I passed it it would pass me
soon after. Eventually I gave up passing it and followed it for
over 100 miles. The average speedy was over 80 MPH. Vanagons rarely
would run that fast continuously. I was impressed. I think this
speedy capacity of Odyssey demands stronger tires too.

David

--- On Sun, 3/15/09, Chris S <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> From: Chris S <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Re: Reinforced tires - what about other vans?
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Sunday, March 15, 2009, 8:48 PM
> Allan,
>
> Yes, I'm arguing those same engineers that gave us our
> cooling, brake
> and A/C systems.  More accurately, I'm pitting more
> recent engineering
> against VW's thinking of yore.  Above all, I'm by
> no means overriding
> any tire recommendation for the 14'' wheels our
> vans came with.
>
> What you folks can't see and refuse to admit is that
> with today's
> technology larger diameter tires of proper size can and do
> handle the
> weight loads of a Vanagon, a 3400 lb vehicle.  I just
> looked up OEM
> tires for our 4310lb Honda Odyssey and the are rated at
> 1653 lbs at
> 44psi. (The number I quoted in the original email was
> simply the top
> of the stack pick)  Are you telling that the 3400 lb
> Vanagon is
> somehow endowed to blow those tires designed to support a
> 4310 lb
> Honda Odyssey with 3 row seating plus adults and children
> on board?
>
> 2003 Honda GVWR:  5560lbs
> VW Vanagon Camper GVWR:  5160lbs.
>
> Stock Honda tires:
>
> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Bridgestone&model=Potenza+RE92&partnum=26TR6RE92&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&place=33
>