So far as a good reasonable tire goes for 95% travel on paved roads,
Dennis Haynes recommended the General Altimax RT for my Red '88 GL. I
bought a set, liked their performance, and bought another set for my
Blue '88 Transporter. Paid $300 for each  set of four, mounted and
balanced. 'Course that's here in Alabama where things are a bit
cheaper.  These were relatively recent purchases - like two months ago.

John

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com

On 10/11/2011 12:01 AM, Don Hanson wrote:
>    I am recently able to afford new tires for my van, since I've been driving
> all over, taking tiny little jobs on almost bald ones, it's time.
>
>     So, I went to my local tire shops, trying to shop local and was really
> surprised.  The same crummy Nankang tires that wore out quickly, but were
> cheap last year are now almost double at the local-owned Tire Factory
> franchise.  " No dice, dude! "  I don't have extra money to give you,
> neighbor.  Then I went to Les Schawbb, a northwest franchise, usually quite
> reasonable and great service.    Looking for some Nokians because I wanted
> really good snow tires.   I have been driving year round on my last set,
> like them immensely for their traction and their handling and their
> durability.  "Yes, we can get some shipped in, special order.  $45 freight
> and $167 each...mounted and balanced....2 weeks.."  Uh.....No thanks,
> Les.....
>
>     So I called Peter at Van Cafe and got some Hakkapelittas coming for $128
> (each) and $30 shipping (both)..  I ordered some Hankooks for the front,
> again mail order online.  I didn't use our list vendor because of shipping
> distances...
> I will mount and balance all these with my manual tire changing machine,
> left over from my racing days, after I first make an adapter to fit the
> odd-ball stock Vanagon 14" rims.
>
>    Driving on worn tires....with a full load of tools and lumber, down a
> gusty interstate....not very responsible, but per$onal finance$ had me
> choosing gas OR tires, but not both...
>
>    The local tire guys?  They said they'd been seeing lots of long-time
> customers blanch when told the price of tires recently.  Something about the
> cost of natural rubber commodity going through the roof in the Global
> economy..
>
>