From www.tirerack.com:

Speed Ratings
Speed ratings signify the safe top speed of a tire under perfect conditions.
Common speed ratings are:

Q=99 MPH, 160km/h V=149 MPH, 240km/h
S=112 MPH, 180km/h W=168 MPH, 270km/h
T=118 MPH, 190km/h Y=186 MPH, 300km/h
U=124 MPH, 200km/h Z=149 MPH, 240km/h and over
H=130 MPH, 210km/h

My guess is that most Vanagons can get by with 'S' rated tires

Dave
86 Vanagon GL

Paul Schiemer wrote:

> Pat Dooley wrote:
> > If your tires are "H" rated, it doesn't stand for highway.
> > I see people driving 45-145 mph on the highway.  Doesn't really narrow it
> > down.
> > "H" is a speed rating, as is Z,T and many others.
>
> Actually the H rating is something like 85 m.p.h. (hence my "highway").
> I was gonna get the "Z" rated tires because I will probably travel at
> sustained speeds over 120 m.p.h. in my two ton loaf, but only through school
> zones and in town.
> I would therefore assume "Z" is for zero because how many people drive at
> sustained speeds over 120 m.p.h. anyways?
> [You live somewhere where vehicles travel at 145 m.p.h. on the highway
> routinely? Must be the fabled German Autobahn? Funny, the stoic Germans have
> the greatest incidence of overtaking collision in the World; where death,
> dismemberment and serious injury occur routinely. A little too much faith in
> the flashing of their Bosch headlamps?]