Note to all, Discount Tire Co. (National Chain) just sold me a set of 4 Mich
MXT 205s for $80 a pop.

I am going to have them installed Saturday morning.

Yea, I had to pester them, but it wasn't that much.

Looking forward to the new ride...
(see below)

- Steve
Columbus, Ohio
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>From: Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>To: Recipients of vanagon digests <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Subject: vanagon Digest - 3 Nov 1999 - Special issue
>Date: Wed, Nov 3, 1999, 6:07 PM
>

>Re: All those with 205 tires...
>
>Kent, when I got my "88GL it had dealer cheapo/gypo tires without
>reinforced side walls. I drove it that way for a long time, because the
>tread was near new on the tires. I went west for a while and experienced
>the winds when crossing the Great Plains. The van  was all over the
>road. I was hauling a good load but it still was a problem. Not long ago
>I made the return trip, but before I did I put on a full set of Michelin
>MXT's 205-R70/14 tires. I was really impressed by the increased
>performance.
>
>The re-inforced sidewalls really make a difference in strong winds. I
>was also carrying a really heavy load, The re-inforced sidewalls plus
>being able to carry 45+ psi in the tires made a huge difference.
>
>This is the tire I will keep on the van unless I upgrade to 15" rims. In
>that case I would have a wider choice of tires of lite truck tires. You
>have few choices with the 14" rims..
>
>I would still stick with a  205 tire because you are right....a narrower
>tire means more traction and has less tendency to hydroplane in heavy
>rain, especially if you have a deep tread.  I feel the 205 is the
>optimum. Wide enough to give good traction and wide track performance on
>dry pavement, yet not so wide as to lose the advantage of the more
>narrow tire in a rainstorm. A good comprimise.