I just bought Kumho tires again because I could not find a better choice. They have the same load capicity as the Michelin XCA, about 2300 lbs. @65 psi. ( higher tire pressure is important for stability) and at a much lower cost. In the past, I had a total of six sidewall failures on Michelins in the first 35K miles that I drove my 88 LS. All the failed tires had over 90% thread. And the adjustment was almost nil. ________________________________________________________ We picked up some Kumho #857 205/14RC load range D tyres today from a BF Goodrich Dealer here in Colorado Springs. They had them in stock, and they where on $69, plus tax and fitting. Much cheaper than the Michelin's. The Kumho stock number is 2225, quote this number when ordering them. Also if you can't find a dealer ring Kumho customer support direct. I was surprised to find them in stock. Darrin ________________________________________________________ Also check out: Continental Vanco Load range 'D' 2270# "Oh, get larger 205 = 14 tires if you want to run that fast. I decided on the Continental Vanco-8 for the extra rubber on the sidewall protecting it from curbs. The stock tire size gives you good take off power, but the engine spins faster than I like it at highway speeds. This tire size increase lowers your RPM by about 600 on the highway, allowing you to go faster or have the engine spin slower for the same speed." ________________________________________________________ Most of the group are using 205/14 instead of the 215/14 tires becase the 215 ones are difficult to find. As near as I can determine Kumho and Michelin are the most often selected. ________________________________________________________ I have another tire to recommend-Vredstein Comtrans, 205/14 load range D with a max pressure of 65 psi and weight rating of 2150 lbs! Not a trailer tire but a commercial tire from europe. Robert Marleau in Montreal Quebec is selling them for $150 cdn each. The sidewalls stay vertical when on the LS, no sagging wimpy looking tire! Lots of tread depth too and he reports many years of good service/long life compared with the Kumho. I have never seen a tire with this much weight carrying ever and I have owned a Vanagon with 14" tires for a decade (always searching for strong tires!) ________________________________________________________ Would strongly recommend the Kumho 857, 205R14C, 8 ply rating, 2271 lbs. @ 65 psi. Have had mine for only a short while but they ride and handle well even with 50-55 lbs. The sidewalls are stiffer and the profile lets them stand up higher. Will not know about mileage for some time yet as the tread is quite deep. They are available from many independent tire dealers and are very resonable. ________________________________________________________ I finally decided and ordered a set of the Vanco 8 for my 1988 Lesharo. In the size 205R14 $88 at a Discount Tire store in Charlotte NC. With taxes, hazard ins, fees total for 4 tires - $466.04 I'll continue to use the 195-75-14 spare on it's steel rim (it's smaller anyway, but mount it under the rear in front of the fuel tank. It was painful making a decision, as I'll have to live with the decision for a very long time. It came down to the Kumho 857 or the Vanco's. Both require an order in from a warehouse, so neither is going to be more readily available nationwide than the other. What decided it for me was the extra rub strip on the outer edge of the tire. It's supposed to protect the tire from curb rubbing. It may help me with the way I tend to hard corner on off ramps. This tire size was also the largest diameter tire I could find that will fit the vehicle. The 205R14 is a full 27" in diameter. The effect should be that my engine will spin 400 rpm's less at 60 mph. Though it may hinder acceleration from a start. I may still have to modify the fender opening a bit to prevent a rub in certain circumstances. I'll just grind out some of the fiberglass and fill it smooth with Bondo Body Filler and spray paint it. (this Bondo is great for filling rotten house window frames) ________________________________________________________ I have Federal 195/75/14/... 8 ply on my 85 LS......... cost around $100.00 total each with taxes etc: Run great. Make sure you buy an 8 Ply. I did have 6 ply trailer tires through Sam's Club and the sidewalls went within 9000 miles on them. ________________________________________________________ Website to calculate diameters and speeds. http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTireMath.dos ________________________________________________________ Tyres for Winebago LeSharo (updated November 2006) Promobil tested 'van' tyres on real motorhomes a while ago and the Continental Vanco came out top largely due to its superior performance in the wet. Michelin performed poorly in the same conditions (but doubtless last twice as long, as has always been their focus). The Conti website will give you the info you need as will the other manufacturers' sites. E.g. Conti 'dimensions' at http://tinyurl.com/yfxzjr What you'll have to get used to is the coding for max weight. The Vanco e.g. is 215 R14 112/110P C. The 122/110 is the load carrying index for single and twin wheel arrangements. I've listed the load and speed indices on my site at www.motorcaravanning.co.uk/vehicles/tyres.htm 112 is 1120Kg. There are also so called 'Camping tyres' notably from Michelin but also now from Conti and Pirelli I believe. You pay quite a premium for them and get little in return. I took the Michelin version off my Hymer (will sell secondhand!) and replaced them with normal 'C' Vancos. The Vanco Winter is a good tyre too, I've been pleased with both. Here are the quotes I have so far (prices in Euros - all fitting etc included); 205/14 Nankang 83.14 Dunlop 117.00 Conti 114.00 Fulda 107.00 Hankook 111.30 215/14 Nankang 88.30 Dunlop 121.00 Conti 113.00 Fulda 105.00 Uniroyal 111.00 ________________________________________________________