ok. this is what i've "collected" so far. one thing that seems to be showing
up is that camper-folks do NOT like the reinforced car tires, but seem to
like the Light Truck tires. makes sense: campers weigh more and are more top-
heavy.   also personal driving 'style' (as Gallagher would say) likely has
a lot to do with how 'good' a set of tires 'feels' as the Good Bus Bollytrop
careens around yet another corner.

so maybe we ought to separate this by camper and non-camper?  at the very
least, it is a starting point for someone looking for tires ... at least
they know the brands/size/models of some tires that fit the buses and that
other people have used. but other than that, it's somewhat like "what's the
Best Year for a VW Bus?" ... and we all know how THAT goes. :)

Microbuses, 1963-1967  (from Bentley book)
  3/4-Ton Payload
    4-1/2 K x 15 Rims
      6.40-15 Tires, 4 ply rating
  1-Ton Payload (including Firetruck)
    5 JK x 14 Rims
      7.00-14 Tubeless Tires, 6 ply rating
--------------------------------------------
(All Models, Buses and Vanagons, 1968-1991)
                                     Plies/
                                     Load Range/
 Tire                    Size        Max psi       Comments
 ----------------------  ----------  ------------  ----------------------
Sears Trailhandler       ?           6/C/50        Horrid
Sears Trailhander APT    195/75R14   6/C/50        Good+ (so far)
                                                     40k warranty

Michelin XZX Reinforced  185/70SR14  6/?/40        Good (imho)
Michelin MXL Reinforced  205/70R14   6/B/40        Good
Michelin MXL Reinforced  205/70R14   6/B/40        Horrid (squirrely)

Dunlop SP LT5 Tubeless   185R15      6/C/??        ???

Kelly Safari All-Terrain 850x27R14   ?/?/?         ???

Bridgestone RD-603 LT    185 R 14    6/D/65        Nice and stable;
                         (marked "8 PR")           Too early to know
                                                   wearing qualities

Uniroyal Laredo          195/75/R14  6/C/50        open tread all-season
                                                   OK (lowish) noise
                                                   Handling ??, only 1
                                                   mounted, doesn't wallow

this is all the owners manual/bentley book specifies for vanagons:
  185 R 14 C
  7.00-14 8 PR
  185 SR 14 Reinforced
  205/70 R 14

joel