TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:44 am

The tires that were made in 1971, that VW recommended for use, DO NOT compare in quality & construction with what is available now.
In reality, you cannot compare the tires from 37 years ago, to tires that are presently being manufactured. Same as trying to compare "apples to oranges".

Anything I posted is my opinion & my opinion is based on my 40+ years of driving & building almost every type of vehicle you can imagine.
I have bought & run more tires & tire combos than 40 normal folks have "combined" in the same period of time.
I've also sold tires for a living & I also worked for several tire manufacturers.
Tire brand & what psi to run them is determinate on many factors.
One brand/psi does not fit all.

If you do not agree with what I post, that is "your right & opinion".
We all know that opinions are like noses & everyone has one.
With that being said, you shouldn't try to force your opinion on everyone.
Throw it out there & if folks want to accept it they will, if not they won't.
Life goes on whether you & I are breathing or not.

Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:55 am

The basis of this thread is about facts, not opinions. If VW recommends a C rated tire that's not an opinion. All bold, like all caps is considered to be shouting and is considered to be rude and should be avoided. Personal attack like "take your meds" are also rude. In the 40+ years I have been driving, I've learned to listen to others advice and not taken it as a criticism or attack on me. When my friends pointed out how my bus tires were not safe, I replaced them with the correct ones.

Keep driving you underrated tires, in the end Darwin will prevail.

Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:16 am

Rick, Darwin's Theory is just that, a "theory", none of his theory has ever been proven to be true!

You have no idea of who I am or what my experiences are, so you shouldn't have posted your bashing, by saying that I am confused & whatever other BS you posted!
Just be glad that I didn't post a good bashing directed at you, but, I'm evolved enough to not stoop that low!

My opinions are fact & you can take them to the bank.

If your "friends" pointed out to you, that you were running the wrong tires & you were in fact running the wrong tires, then you should make sure to keep them forever... the friends, not the tires!

In my opinion, you are more of a henderance on this post than a help!
This is my last post on this subject, maybe you shouldn't post anymore either, until you've re-read all of the posts at least 7 times each!

I use "bold" all the time on the many discussion groups I am a part of & will continue to do so!
If you really think I'm shouting, then don't listen!

NUFF SAID!!!

Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:27 am

I know this is your last post in this matter, but I should clarify that the 1279 pounds per tire would actually be decreased by 9% for running a passenger tire on a truck (as VW designated these vehilces) so the real "max weight number" is really only 1164 pounds.

It is your choice, just choose wisely.

Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:41 am

I was referring to the Darwin Awards awarded to those who improve the species...by accidentally removing themselves from it! (like driving on underrated tires).

Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:55 am

Hey Randy, VW called them a "truck", mostly for "sales" reasons.
However, our 71 VW Bus that only weighs 2800 lbs is anything but a truck.
The registration says "VW station wagon".

Even at your -9% 1164 lbs rating, that is still way more of a rating than is needed for "our Bus".

1164 X 4 = 4656 lbs that the 4 of them will support.
The Bus only weighs 2800 lbs, so each tire is only supporting 700 lbs, though the rear ones are actually carrying a bit more than the front.

Thank you for your concern.

Thu Aug 14, 2008 12:17 pm

manxmaniac@aol.com wrote: My opinions are fact & you can take them to the bank.
:roll: :roll: :roll: We bow to thee tire maven.

You do more to bash yourself than I ever could.

Thu Aug 14, 2008 12:30 pm

manxmaniac@aol.com wrote: [b]Rick, Darwin's Theory is just that, a "theory", none of his theory has ever been proven to be true!

...

but, I'm evolved enough to not stoop that low!

So you believe his theories then? :wink:

manxmaniac@aol.com wrote: VW called them a "truck", mostly for "sales" reasons.
...
The registration says "VW station wagon".

What your registration says really has nothing to do with what your bus actually is. I've had buses registered as, bus, van, truck, station wagon, etc.

Truth be told, the term "station wagon" was the sales gimmic to avoid tariffs.

Thu Aug 14, 2008 12:39 pm

It's amazing that anyone would think that they should buy tires based on the weight of their EMPTY vehicle, rather than on its GROSS WEIGHT RATING. I checked the owners manual from 1971 (because that's what I happen to own) and depending on the model the GVW rating runs from 4828# to 4982#. HOWEVER, that load isn't meant to be distributed evenly between the front and rear axles. The front axle load for that GVW is only 2226#, and for the rear it is 2756#. Now, 2756/2 = 1378#, which now exceeds the max rating for those passenger tires, even if we don't rate them down 9%. And even that doesn't tell the whole story because, as has been pointed out already, a bus in motion and taking turns loads individual corners considerably above the static weight.

Thu Aug 14, 2008 12:44 pm

manxmaniac@aol.com wrote: The Bus only weighs 2800 lbs, so each tire is only supporting 700 lbs, though the rear ones are actually carrying a bit more than the front.

Every weighed a bus with the driver on board? You might be surprised at the weight distribution.

Load the bus to its capacity and your numbers change; 4800/4 is 1200 pounds per wheel, and the distribution isn't even so VW's specification of 1545 pounds is quite reasonable.

Thu Aug 14, 2008 2:33 pm

dcketh wrote: [...]the GVW rating runs from 4828# to 4982#. HOWEVER, that load isn't meant to be distributed evenly between the front and rear axles. The front axle load for that GVW is only 2226#, and for the rear it is 2756#. Now, 2756/2 = 1378#, which now exceeds the max rating for those passenger tires, even if we don't rate them down 9%. And even that doesn't tell the whole story because, as has been pointed out already, a bus in motion and taking turns loads individual corners considerably above the static weight.
That about boils it down in one easy paragraph for me.
Well done.

Rob

Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:21 am

Geez....I was wanting to see what kind of tires everyone suggested to put on the bus, size-make-w/ white walls......
but its a pain to search thru all the women whining on here.

Mon Aug 18, 2008 12:25 pm

try these:
http://www.busdepot.com/details/tires.jsp
scroll down about mid page
I've used them before, and will again

Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:06 pm

panic_fan wrote: Geez....I was wanting to see what kind of tires everyone suggested to put on the bus, size-make-w/ white walls......
but its a pain to search thru all the women whining on here.

I know exactly what you mean....Don't you dare start a new topic on it. SuperSamba will lock it up faster than you can say "Herbie Fully Loaded is the greatest movie of all time."

Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:07 pm

I am not aware of anyone that makes a real bus tires with whitewalls.

Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:22 pm

Polish Rifle wrote: panic_fan wrote: Geez....I was wanting to see what kind of tires everyone suggested to put on the bus, size-make-w/ white walls......
but its a pain to search thru all the women whining on here.

I know exactly what you mean....Don't you dare start a new topic on it. SuperSamba will lock it up faster than you can say "Herbie Fully Loaded is the greatest movie of all time."

ahahahaha.

Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:56 pm

I have driven my 67 for almost 20 years every day on passenger tires without ever having a single problem. That said, I bought the proper c rated tires for my 77 and I will never go back. It made a HUGE difference in ride and handling. When the 67 is done with it's resto, I will be getting another set of the "correct" tires. I don't even miss the white walls...

Wed Aug 20, 2008 9:02 am

Randy in Maine wrote: I am not aware of anyone that makes a real bus tires with whitewalls.

Yea, I havent seen any either. Keep and :shock: out ![/quote]

Thu Aug 21, 2008 3:37 pm

panic_fan wrote: Randy in Maine wrote: I am not aware of anyone that makes a real bus tires with whitewalls.

Yea, I havent seen any either. Keep and :shock: out ! [/quote]

augh! whitewalls!!!

Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:17 am

Just use some white wall tire paint and make your own!