On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 5:36 PM, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:

> I am not responsible for the following comment, attributed to me by Scott.
>  mcneely
>
> > On 5/20/2013 11:26 AM, Dave Mcneely wrote:
> > > >Pretty much, get ready for the flood of tire discussion!
>
> --
> David McNeely
>

   I just had the wheels off my van.   Hakkapellita C from the rear and
RAO8 off the fronts...both in the standard 14sizes on steel wheels.

  Both of these tire pairs came highly recommended by the list Experts in
various thread-times.   I concur, after close examination of my own, just
yesterday... and the excellent wear they've been giving me.  \

 The Hakkas have been on my 84 manual 5sp van for two full years, summer
and winter.  The RAO8s have been on for one year only, but now have over
20k miles on them with very good steering characteristics and traction in
the wet or sand.   The Hakkas are expensive, but certainly worth it.   They
wear very well indeed and supply adequate traction (for a Vanagon) and a
great driving experience.   The combo of these two different tire pairs is
the best I have found yet.   I'll go this way again, for sure.  The ride is
what it is...I don't really care or know how to judge a "good ride"....the
roads I encounter are usually crappy anyhow....I just look for performance
and durability first...ride?  Don't care about that much...These aren't the
worst tires I have ever ridden on....Kumhos get that prize...I once put
some of those on my Luxo-sport car and thought I had four broken springs...

   Anyhow, the List Experts are right....the RAO8s or the Hakka Cs are good
choices for stock sized vanagons.