Hmm.. were you the original owner?  Mine came with
Michelin's when I bought the van new in 1987.  I never liked
Michelin's on my other cars (too soft) so I was hoping to get
other brands.. but had to settle for Michelins again (see
story) My original lasted about 75K miles. So, this is my
second set - I can't really complain too much about the wear
longevity of Michelins.  I now have 120K on my Van. Looking
at the thread wear the other day, I think I can get another
10K - 12K before I have go shop for another "Vanagon tire."

Yau-Man Chan
87 GL

>>> Chris Bracken <chris@XLNT.COM> 08/18/98 03:17pm
>>>
I have tried several different approaches to tires, with mixed
results. My 87 came with a set of Continentals, 6 or 8 ply
rated.  My second set
was also a set of Contis, different tread pattern, slightly
higher load
rating.
Had a tread separation, and swore off Contis...Then the fun
began.
The local tire store gave me the same story about the
"special vanagon tires",
made only by Michelin with reinforced sidewalls, etc.  OK,
says I, order them.
I got a pair of MXL 185Rs; these had a maximum pressure of
40 psi, a lower
load rating than either of the sets of Contis, lower ply rating,
etc.  They
also
wore out pretty darn fast.  Since then, I have been using
whatever LT rated
tire Price Club/Costco has available.  ( Uniroyals twice,
Kirklands once ).
I think that the load rating and ply count are more important
than the
magic reinforced sidewalls.  I also found it hard to believe
that a tire
which could not take the recommended 48 psi for the rear
could be the only
right one for my van....

        Just my 2 cents ( or less ! ) worth...
        Chris
        87 Wolfie