> I am on the verge of ordering a set of the 16 inch GoWesty
> wheels and Michelin Hydroedge tires.

Michelin Hydroedge tires do NOT meet either Volkswagen or U.S. D.O.T. specs
for safe use on a Vanagon.  Please see the archives, read
http://busdepot.com/details/tires.jsp , and think VERY VERY carefully before
putting ANY underrated tires on your Vanagon (regardless of what any
retailer, who of course has a profit motive because he sells underrated
tires, may claim).  Those claims directly contradict VW's own engineers, as
well as the government's safety standards.

Sure you will hear anecdotal experience from people who use various
underrated tires and "never had a problem."  (Especially since they want to
justify their own decision to do so.) Similarly, 5 out of 6 people who play
Russian Roulette don't have a problem, most people who smoke don't die of
cancer, and most people who never wear a seatbelt live to tell about it.
During average daily driving your underrated tire will probably handle just
fine, because it's not being pushed to its limits. The stress test will be
when you can least afford it - during emergency evasive maneuvers when a
disproportionate amount of weight is transferred to a single tire.  At that
point, if the tire fails (and VW and the D.O.T. have already warned you that
it may!!!)  the consequences could easily be deadly.

There are properly rated 16" tires out there, although I do not sell them.
(Many of my Eurovan customers use a 16" Kumho tire, although I don't carry
it and have not tried it personally. I do, however, carry 14", 15", and 16"
Vanagon alloy wheels, and 14" and 15" tires.)  Why play Russian roulette,
when there are plenty of alternatives out there that meet VW specs?

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  www.busdepot.com
  (215)  234-VWVW

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