The following are the results of the Type 2/Vanagon Lists tire survey ....

SAMPLE SIZE  27
-----------

VEHICLE TYPE BREAKDOWN
----------------------
            Type 2  13
           Vanagon  12
            Syncro   2

         Passenger   4
 Camper conversion  23

TIRE SIZES
----------
     185R14   8
  195/70R14   1*
  195/75R14  10
  205/70R14   5
  205/75R14   1*
 27X8.50 14   1*
     225R14   1*

  * These tires have diameters smaller/larger than original
    You will see speedometer/odometer errors

PERFORMANCE BY TIRE SIZE (Excellent=2/Good=1/Poor=0)
----------------------------------------------------
          185R14  195/75R14
          ------  ---------
     Wear  1.6       1.2
 Traction  1.3       1.2
     Ride  1.1       1.3
 Handling  1.0       1.3
    Noise  1.0       1.0

LOAD RANGES (INFLATION PRESSURES (FRONT/REAR)) F:R RATIO
--------------------------------------------------------
 Standard load   9  (31/37)  1:1.2
  Load range B   1  (35/35)  1:1.0
    Reinforced   8  (34/41)  1:1.2
  Load range C   4  (43/52)  1:1.2
  Load range D   5  (43/52)  1:1.2

PERFORMANCE BY LOAD RANGE (S = standard, R = reinforced)
--------------------------------------------------------
            S    R    C    D
           ---  ---  ---  ---
     Wear  1.0  1.9  1.5  1.4
 Traction  0.9  1.6  0.3  2.0
     Ride  1.3  1.3  0.7  2.0
 Handling  1.0  1.4  0.7  2.0
    Noise  1.1  1.4  0.8  1.0

TIRE MANUFACTURER
-----------------
          Avon  1 (UK)
        Dunlop  2 (US/Europe/Asia)
      Goodyear  3 (US/Europe)
      Michelin  6 (US/Europe)
       Pirelli  1 (US/Europe)
          Toyo  1 (US/Asia)
      Tujungal  1 (Asia)
      Yokohama  6 (US/Asia)
 Private brand  6 (includes Sears & unknowns)

PERFORMANCE BY MANUFACTURER
---------------------------
                              Private
          Michelin  Yokohama   Brand
          --------  --------  -------
     Wear    1.7       1.5      0.8
 Traction    1.8       1.8      0.2
     Ride    1.3       2.0      0.4
 Handling    1.5       1.8      0.4
    Noise    1.5       1.0      0.8

 NOTE: Most Michelins where reinforced
       Most Yokohamas where load range D
       Most private brands where standard load

CONCLUSIONS
-----------
Because most Michelins where 185R14 reinforced and most Yokohamas where 195/75R14 load range 
D, tire manufacturer might be influencing the results more than differences in tire size or 
load range.

Michelin (185R14 reinforced) and Yokohama (195/75R14 load range D) are seem to work very 
well on VW buses.  Yokohama might have a slight edge over Michelin, possibly because of the 
larger tire.  Both recommended.

Do not recommend private brands.

________________________________________________

  Michael Stocker <mdstockr@neo.lrun.com>
  North Canton, Ohio, USA     Time: 3:10:21 PM
  LiMBO / GASS                Date: 3/4/97
  1989 Audi 90 Quattro
  Wanted: Nice 1968-> air cooled or diesel
  Previous VW's: '66-T3, '67-T1 & '70-T2 Westi
________________________________________________