[T2] Tire choice for 15x6 rims- check the dates!

[Sami Dakhlia]

Thanks Mike, Bob, and everybody else for your kind feedback. Kudos
also to busdepot for their informative and very convincing page on
proper tire choices (http://www.busdepot.com/details/tires/), far more
convincing, IMHO, than GoWesty's reassurances that the 205/65R15
Michelin Defender's 1565 lbs rating makes it a safe fit.
The price difference is significant, $50 to $65 per tire, but it's a
small price to pay for a good conscience.

Sami

On Thu, May 8, 2014 at 7:26 AM, Mike Benthin <muts at verizon.net> wrote:
> What counts is the max load rating on the side of the tire at its MAX
> inflation.  1200lb max load is NOT enough for a bus loaded with people and
> stuff.  What BusDepot sells (60 lb max inflation) is what you want. 14 yr
> old tires  are a blowout waiting to happen- the plasticizers in the side
> wall will gas out over time  leaving a stiffer rubber that can delaminate
> under heat and speed, as happened to me when I drove an UNUSED tire out of a
> 74 bus (spare) 20 yrs later- it looked perfect with no cracks. Very scary on
> a front tire in traffic.  Current tires have a date code showing week/yr on
> the side wall, and 6 yrs is considered the max one should use it, especially
> if little cracks show in the sidewall.
>   I have a Roadtrek class B also now and it uses an E rated tire with recc.
> inflation at its max, 80 lbs! That is because the van weights 8,000 lbs, 60%
> of it in the back.  When I purchased it with only 63k mi a yr ago the tires
> looked perfect treadwise, as the PO used these for a big vacation trip once
> a yr only, and they were over 6 yrs old.  There were cracks in the sidewall-
> the tires must be exercised (used) monthly to keep the side wall elastic,
> and often they sit all winter and spring unused.  This is a common problem
> with elderly owners not using the van enough and assuming the good looking
> tires 10 yrs later are OK.
>
> MUTS Oboe/EH support = Michael's Ultimate Thumb Saver
> 93 Chevy Roadtrek 210P
> 78 VW Westfalia Camper
>
> _______________________________________________
> type2 mailing list
> type2 at type2.com
> https://www.type2.com/lists/type2/listinfo