<VV> Tires for Greenbrier

[Dale Dewald]

Hello Mike,

It is interesting to note that most modern minivans are OEM'ed with 
ordinary P-metric non-speed rated passenger car tires.  LT tires are 
reinforced to withstand higher inflation pressures in order to carry higher 
loads--but I don't think they have much advantage with regard to 
stability.  I would suggest looking for a high speed (H, V, W) rated tire 
which is specifically designed for enhanced stability at highway (and 
above) speeds.  Often these are reinforced and rated for higher inflation 
pressures in the interest of stability enhancement rather than load 
carrying capacity.

Case in point:

On our '65 Greenbrier I have Pirelli P-4000 V-rated P215/65R15 tires 
mounted on Corvette 15X6 rally wheels (3-1/2" backspacing).  These are the 
same rev/mile (799) as a P205/75R14 (close to stock 7.00-14 = 
185/80D14).  These V-rated tires have a maximum inflation pressure of 
51psi.  I usually run 47 front/50 rear.

Dale Dewald
Hancock, (UP) MI

P.S. TireRack had these V-rated tires on sale for less than the price of 
the same size H-rated (44psi) tires.

At 10:56 AM 10/13/04 -0400, Mikeamauro@aol.com wrote:
>I'm presently running standard passenger car 205-14s.  Won't be that many
>more miles until it's time to re-tire (the van, that is). I'm seriously 
>thinking
>about going to a multi-ply truck or SUV tire....the reason being to gain a
>little more highway-speed stability (due to stiffer side walls). Finding a
>high-performance water shedding tire, also meeting the criteria first 
>stated, would
>be a plus: my wife drives the van on a daily basis, and I'd like to give her
>every safety advantage possible. As the vehicle is equipped with Addco
>anti-sway bars, the clearance room at the front--inside tire wall area--is 
>a little
>tight.... Wouldn't want to go much wider. Has anyone out there heard of or 
>used
>a true truck tire (8+ ply), or SUV tire on FC vehicle? Safety and performance
>counts more than $$$.