Hello,

I almost made that mistake and have our local Costco
(Wholesale warehouse store) to thank.

When my original tires on my 87 Vanagon had to be
replaced, I thought I found a good deal on a set of 205/70x14
tires at my local Costco Wholesale stores.  I purchased
them and lugged them to the back of the store where they
had a tire installation operations.  As soon as I aproached
the counter, I saw a big sign "We DO NOT install tires on
VW VANAGONS."  I was suprised.  What's wrong I asked
the counter man.. I bought the right size.  He then proceed to
lecture me on the fact that Vanagon requires especial
sidewall reinforced tires which they don't carry and don't sell.
He also told me that light truck tires may be used but is
really not a good subsitute.   He said that the only "for
Vanagon tires"  I will find are from Michilen.  So I returned the
tires and went hunting for the right tires.  You will be suprised
how many tire dealers I went to do know about and cannot
get the correct Michillen Vanagon tires but was prepared to
sell me any brand name time with the right size.  If it were
not for the Costco man I would have bought a set of
non-rated tires.  I finally found a tire dealer who knew about
the Vanagon requirement and it took 4 weeks to special
order them..that was 5 years and 45K miles ago and I am
still riding on them.

That's my story..

Yau-Man Chan
87 Vanagon

>>> Don Gibbons <dgibbons@PRESRAY.COM> 08/18/98
12:41pm >>>
Do you know what the blown tire was? Brand? re-inforced?
size?

Many Vanagon owners use normal passenger tires with good
results. Not me thou. I had a 195/70-40 Michelin snow tire
(non-reinforced) go years ago while on the hiway No big deal
but from then on I always use re-inforced tires.