Well, I have the Vredestein Comptrac all weather.  It has the mountain
snowflake symbol for winter capability.  I also carry chains.  So far I am
happy with it.  Would I prefer a U.S. made tire?  If there were one like
the Vredestein.  I suppose "looks" is a matter of taste.  My taste runs to
practical.  Ruining a tire, or more significantly, a wheel, while on a back
road would not be my definition of a good day.  We will have to agree to
disagree on this matter.

On Fri, Nov 3, 2017 at 6:45 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> The thought that lower profiles tires are more susceptible to damage is
> not always true. Yes, wrapping a 23 inch tire around a 20 inch wheel does
> not leave much room for impacts. That is vastly different than a 26+ inch
> tire over a 16 or 17 inch wheel.
>
> For your occasional off road adventures some of the newer tires designed
> for crossover utility vehicles could really improve the vehicles
> capabilities especially if you encounter soft dirt or mud. For me, I
> occasionally due New York to Florida runs in winter. I need winter
> capability including snow and ice.
>
>
>
> Of the later tires I was using the WRG3 and really liked them. I am not on
> the Toyo Celsius CUV. So far I am impressed with ride, wet weather traction
> and yes looks. Let’s see when winter comes. These are more favorably priced
> than the WRG3 and I also like that they are stamped made in USA. For the
> Vanagon though you need 17 inch wheels. I have been fitting 225/55-17 on
> 2WD and 235/55-17 On Syncros.
>
>
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* David McNeely [mailto:davmcneely40@gmail.com]
> *Sent:* Thursday, November 02, 2017 5:02 PM
> *To:* Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> *Cc:* vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> *Subject:* Re: The Tire Replacement Manual
>
>
>
> Hmmm..... .  Well, some of us do drive our campers the way they perform
> best, and that is not at the high speeds most folks seem to have adopted.
> My high speed for my camper is just over 60 mph on the highway.  I take it
> onto back country roads, forest service and BLM roads that fit the point
> made in the manual that lower profile tires are much more subject to damage
> from road hazards than are higher profile tires.  It is in fact the ability
> to navigate such roads and to camp in isolation from those who prefer
> developed camp grounds that make the vehicle useful to me.
>
> I realize that the beast has limitations that "modern" drivers dislike.
> It has capabilities that I prefer, including high clearance and capability
> on rough roads.  This summer I drove on a Forest Service road that required
> 3 hours to traverse 11 miles.  My camper is not a Synchro.  I just drove
> very slowly and carefully, easing around washouts and boulders that would
> simply stop most folks who would rather have a "higher performing" vehicle,
> with less tire sidewall.  I don't have my camper in order to go fast or to
> take corners at breakneck speeds.
>
>
>
> On Thu, Nov 2, 2017 at 11:55 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> The load index table should also be available form the tire manufacturer.
> Your dealer should be able to supply this for you. As for that tire not
> being listed due to obsolescence keep in mind this document is already 11
> years old.
>
> For replacement the 195/75-14 is the correct diameter to replace a
> 185/80-14. As for changing OEM specifications consider the OEM lead in this
> case. Beginning with the 87 model year the 205/70-14XL was the OEM supplied
> upgrade.  Then there was the move to 15 inch wheels to make room for brakes
> and other needs on the Eurovan. The last of the Eurovans were fitted with
> 225/60-XL.  See a correlation to my recommendations?
>
>
>
> Tire technology has changed and so has our driving speeds. When our vans
> were designed-built we had a 55 mph speed limit. Few of us travel at 55 or
> less. We didn't always back then!  Getting into the newer tire sizes also
> gets us some of these newer capabilities. Skinny tires running at high
> inflation pressures leave you with reduced contact patches and an impact
> sensitive ride. Think of those non pneumatic tires on your first bicycle or
> trike. The Vanagon ahs the benefit of a well designed independent
> suspension with tires being the major limiting factor. There is room for
> improvement here, but it has to be done correctly.
>
>
>
> Dennis
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> *From:* David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Thursday, November 2, 2017 12:44 AM
> *To:* Dennis Haynes
> *Cc:* vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> *Subject:* Re: The Tire Replacement Manual
>
>
>
> Dennis, thanks for providing this.  It clarifies a lot.  However, I notice
> that the OE tire sizes for our campers are not included in the tables.  I
> suppose, like has been observed many times on this list, that the tire size
> being considered by most manufacturers as "obsolete" is the reason.  But
> our vehicles are real, and we drive them.  Are you aware of a source that
> provides similar data for our OE tire sizes?  The nearest size in the
> attached document is LT185/75R14, but of course, the aspect ratio is too
> low, and the tire diameter would be too small.  The OE tire size of
> LT185R14 has an aspect ratio of approximately 82 as I understand it.  The
> alternate size of LT195R14 of course has the same aspect ratio, and is only
> very slightly larger in diameter.
>
> The document does reinforce my notion that one should just stick with OE
> specifications up until that becomes literally impossible.  For now, there
> are still tires available that fit that bill, though not very many choices.
>
>
>
> On Mon, Oct 30, 2017 at 6:18 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> For all the recent questions I once again would like to point out this
> reference guide.
>
> http://www.tiresafety.com/images/Tire%20Replacement%20Manual.pdf
> <https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiresafety.com%2Fimages%2FTire%2520Replacement%2520Manual.pdf&data=02%7C01%7Cd23haynes57%40hotmail.com%7C148a77a8539b450c346408d521ac83c7%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636451947182908333&sdata=om%2Fd4%2BnRWAYAbh%2FoV2yXRBvYWgOeLhIrsgrTNkin7aI%3D&reserved=0>
>
> While is now 11 years old, this is probably the best tire reference manual
> with the most important information in one place, in a format that is easy
> to understand.
> Of most benefit is the load-inflation tables for most every size tire we
> would consider. There is some good reading in here. I will be referenicing
> this manual occasionally in some of my responses to posted questions.
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
>
>