Mike, I never said I ran them at 60 psi.

On 3/15/09, Mike <mbucchino@charter.net> wrote:
>   You don't run a 60 psi max tire at an actual 60 psi on a Vanagon; that's
> not "properly inflated".
>   You should still be running it at the recommended pressures on the
> doorjamb sticker.   39 psi in the front/ 48 psi in the rear.
>   My Michelin Agilis D-load 6-plies are rated for 54 psi max, but I still
> run them at the numbers on the sticker for proper contact patch, safety,
> handling and treadwear.
>   However, if you attempt to run a passenger tire (rated for 35 psi max) at
> the proper Vanagon sticker pressures, you're risking catastrophic failure.
> It isn't built for that high of a pressure, and won't handle it for long,
> before a sudden catastrophic failure happens.
>   This is one of the main reasons that you shouldn't run a passenger tire on
> a Vanagon; it just isn't rated to run at the pressures required on the
> sticker for proper safety, handling and long life.  And running it at the
> typical 32 psi will result in a smooth wallowy ride, but soft tires handle
> poorly, wear quickly and are prone to popping the beads off of the rims
> during an evasive maneuver.
>   To do so is also in violation of the US DOT laws, and will possibly result
> in failures and possible injury or loss of life, and you may be held liable
> if an accident happens, and it's discovered that you're operating this way.
>   It's not "the sky is falling!" as a some say; there's obviously a valid
> reason for all of this, and folks who think that they'll be able to get away
> with doing this, are tempting fate.  The Vanagon Carat on Samba apparently
> was doing this very thing, and see what happened there?  A totaled van and
> injuries to one of his passengers.
>
> Mike B.
>
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: Larry Chase
>   To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>   Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 11:34 AM
>   Subject: Re: Tires - Why oh why NOT?
>
>
>   Chris,
>
>   I'm slightly confused.
>
>   You stated that you were using " BF Goodrich 185r14,  D ply, 1680 or so
>   lbs at 60 psi" and had a separation problem.
>
>   I know of no BFG Goodrich 185r14 tire that is load range D and 1680
>   lbs load rated at 60 psi.
>

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Chris S.
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