In a message dated 98-09-10 23:49:17 EDT, Dennis Haynes wrote:

> The 215/70's should work fine.  I have used them with great success.  The
>  reinforced Michelins are only rated at 1570 lbs..  Not too much difference.

The reinforced Michelin MXT tires in size 205/70-14 are rated at 1709 lbs for
passenger car use. Max pressure is 50PSI.  Original MXL tires were not rated
quite this high though.

David Boggle wrote:

>El Dorado Legend
>P215/70R14
>Tread: 2 ply steel + 2 ply polyester
>Sidewall: 2 ply polyester
>Max Load:  705 kg (1554 lbs) at 240 kpa (35 psi)
>Tread Wear:  560   Traction:  A   Temp:  B

Dennis has said numerous times that tires with P (passenger car) ratings need
to be de-rated by 10% for Light Truck (pickups, vans, etc) use.  This makes
the 1554 rating about 1400Lbs and the Michelin MXT about 1540Lbs, a 10%
difference.  Also of note is that the VW's recommended tire pressure for the
205/70-14 tires is 40PSI at the rear tires, 5 psi higher than the maximum of
the El Dorado Legends.

Since Bogle has these on a Syncro Westfalia (the heaviest Vanagon) I have some
concerns about this.  My 87 GL Syncro (not a Westy) weighs 4,400 lbs with a
full tank of gas and a small amount of cargo, but without passengers.  Adding
2 adults, 2 kids, and a bunch of cargo my non-westy would weigh about 5,400
lbs.  Add to this the weight of Westy equipment, water & propane and I'd guess
about 5,800 lbs easy.  That's 1,450 lbs for each tire!  50 lbs more than the
El Dorado Legends after the "Light Truck" use de-rating.

If I were David Bogle, I would be very careful not to fully load up his van or
take it on any rough roads with those tires.

Regards,
Jim Davis