tires question

[Ella1]

I just returned from a short trip. I'm wondering about the tires.  My 95 Astrovan carried probably about 600 pounds (includes me). I'm concerned about the two front tires. They do need aligned, but I wonder if they're not already too far gone to make the cost of alignment a waste of good money. There is wear on the outer edges of both, some tread in the center. I don't know about the inside edges.
The back tires look pretty good to me. I was wondering if it's a good idea to put the two (probably auto) tires from the rear, on the front, and get two new truck tires, even light duty, for the rear. Is that sensible?

 

[SternWake]

Sensible is 4 good tires rated to handle the load you subject them to.

The age of the tires is more important than the tread remaining on them, if it still appear deep. Obviously bald is bad even if the tire is less than 5 years old.

An Alignment is also pretty important to the handling of the Van and driveability.

Definitely do not get new tires without an Alignment first, or at least do not drive far on new tires without an alignment.

While wearing the outside edges can just happen because of driving style such as cornering like a madman/woman, usually it indicates poor alignment/ too much toe in.

Driving on tires with bald outside edges, at highway speeds, on hot Asphalt of late summer, is not wise.

 

[SoulRaven]

New properly rated tires all around, followed by an immediate 4 wheel alignment.

 

[highdesertranger]

sounds like you need an alignment and because of that, now you need tires. so going by that info I would say you need at least 2 tires and an alignment. you have an astro which is kinda of in between vehicle, not really a car, and not really a truck. so what type of tires do you need? what type of driving do you do? if you travel off highway you need a LT tire, all the way around. highdesertranger

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

No one else has mentioned this yet, but do understand that any worn front end parts - ball joints, tie rod ends, whatever - will need to be replaced with new parts before an alignment can be done.  Maybe it's just out of alignment and nothing needs to be replaced, but maybe you will need to budget a good chunk of change for new parts as well as tires.  I recommend that you get estimates from two or three different well thought of places before having anything done.

Regards
John

 

[Ella1]

I called a few places. The charge for estimates, I'd just as soon spend that money on the work, if it's needed. None would use the price of the estimate towards the work. So Tues AM I take it to the chevy dealership.
I'm still thinking of replacing those front tires. Do I put the rear ones on the front then, and new truck tires on the back?
I do know all 4 new is best, but those tires are still in good shape.

 

[SoulRaven]

I don't know where you live but most shops roll the estimate price into the repair if done at the time of the estimate. Time to make a few more calls. As the other posters said you will probably need some new front end parts to maintain the new alignment.

If it's within your budget go for new tires all around, less to worry about if you are going to be doing some serious traveling. Also check the date of manufacture of the new tires. Some less than reputable places will sell you tires made several years ago for the same price as freshly made tires. Just my opinion but try and avoid Chinese made tires, the quality control is seriously lacking on many brands.

Be safe.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

If it was me, I would not get rid of two good tires, assuming they aren't too old and assuming they still have good tread.

Also, on a rear wheel drive setup like yours, I would want street tires on the front, and off-road type tires on the rear to make it less likely to get stuck off pavement.

Finally, to answer your main question:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=52

Regards
John

 

[Ella1]

I bought 2 tires today. Info is 1742 lbs Max load.
Does that mean cargo, or cargo plus van?

 

[Ella1]

The paperwork says: gm part # 19253024
description: P215/75R15/SL HAN WW OPTIMO H72 100S 70K

I was very clear that I carry upwards of 800 pounds of cargo at times.
Do I need to return these for heavier tires?

 

[highdesertranger]

Ella those are passenger car tires. if you want a load carrying tire you need a light truck tire(LT) not a passenger car tire(P). highdesertranger

 

[Almost There]

The Michelin LTX M/S2 tires that got the most recommendations around here when I was looking for tires don't come in 215/75/R15s' to fit Ellas' '95 Astro.

That means either a different brand/model of LT tires or going up or down a size to something that will work for her. But that might also mean changing all 4 tires instead of just the 2 bad ones.

I agree that light truck tires could be really good for on the Astro unless you're planning on nothing more than city/highway driving and state parks for camping or you're city stealth parking all the time.

The reviews for the Hankook tires you got generally all read 'great tires for the price' - they're definitely an economy priced tire. The reviewers also all seemed to be writing the reviews before they'd put 50K miles on the tires. The ones that wrote after the tires were well used were not nearly as impressed by them, noting that they didn't even get to end of warranty before needing replacing.

 

[SternWake]

I do not KNow the rear weight of an Astro, but 800 LBS of cargo in the back, on a standard passenger tire sounds like it would exceed the tire load ratings which you linked.

Sometimes they offer an XL version of a passenger tire, meaning they can handle extra Load
The XL versions usually come out equal in weight carrying capacity as the LT tire available in the same size, once the tire is derated by about 10% which Passenger tires must be in a van or truck application.

My Friend put larger and taller tires on His astro with a higher weight rating as he uses his as a work truck.  He has air bag helper springs and will load 1500 Lbs into the back.  And No I will not drive with him with that much weight in the vehicle.  His brakes are poor even unloaded and the bigger tires make the brakes have to work even harder.

IF you load that vehicle down with 800 Lbs of cargo, I would want the highest weight rated tire which would fit under there, and make sure the brakes are in good condition, and the drum brakes properly adjusted.  

Every time I see a Van squatting from too heavy a load, the tires are usually bulging to the sides too much as well, and I pass them if on the freeway, or just generally steer well clear.

 

[akrvbob]

15 inch tires just don't offer much load carrying capacity and that's why nearly everything has switched to 16 inch or bigger.

The highest load capacity you can get is 235/75/15 XL and they will have a 2200 pound load rating. To get much more than that, you have to go to a really tall tire and they won't possibly fit. I'm not at all sure a 235 would fit.
Bob

 

[Travelman]

I bought 93 Ford E150 conversion van and I want to buy tires which one do recommend and what size?. Thanks.

 

[akrvbob]

You have 15 inch tires which don't offer much load carrying capacity and that's why nearly everything has switched to 16 inch or bigger.

The highest load capacity you can get is 235/75/15 XL and they will have a 2200 pound load rating. To get much more than that, you have to go to a really tall tire and they won't possibly fit.

Being 15 inch, that will limit your options since some brands don't come in that. I've had a great experience with Gooodyear Wranglers, I have the mud version on my rear end and my girlfriend has the all season and both are exceptional.

On a budget, I think Coopers hit the sweet spot of good solid tires at a good price.
Bob

 

[SternWake]

Pirelli does make a Load range D in the 235/75/15 size which can handle more weight than Load range C or P/XL, but they are NOt cheap.

P/235/75/15 XL must be weight derated in a Light truck application, which applies to Vans.

Essentially there is no weight carrying difference between LT 235/75/15 Load range C, than there is between P235/75/15 XL. The LT tire will require more PSI to carry the same weight though, and ride stiffer.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=70

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireS...h=255/&rearRatio=40&rearDiameter=17&zip-code=

I replaced my LT 235/75/15 load range C with 30x9.5x15s lord range C which are slightly taller and wider but not rated to carry any more weight.

 

[Ella1]

Thanks for all your responses. I'm still working to understand them.
I decided to keep these two new ones.
The old ones, now in the front, are two years old with good tread.
The next two new ones will possibly be truck tires.

I decided to keep these because most/all of my driving will be city/highway,
and either campgrounds, or easy boondocking sites.  

I don't know how much that will be, just weekenders for now.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I was able to find specs online for the 2005 Astrovan.  I suspect your 95 won't be too much different.

The front axle can handle a maximum gross weight of 2,800lbs.  The front curb weight (all fluids full, no people or cargo on board) is 2,019 lbs. So there is about 800 lbs. leeway on the front.

The rear axle can handle a maximum weight of 3,100 lbs..  The rear curb weight is 1,144 lbs.  So you've got about 1,950 lbs. leeway on the back.

You say that at maximum tire pressure, your tires are rated for 1,742 lbs.  That means the pair of them can handle 3,484 lbs.  I've never understood why passenger tires need to be derated 10% on a truck, but even allowing for that, the pair can handle 3,000 lbs. and the back end only weighs 1,144.  So you should be fine with 800 lbs. of cargo on board.

Regards
John

 

[BC Guy]

Thanks for all your responses. I'm still working to understand them.
I decided to keep these two new ones.
The old ones, now in the front, are two years old with good tread.
The next two new ones will possibly be truck tires.

I decided to keep these because most/all of my driving will be city/highway,
and either campgrounds, or easy boondocking sites.  

I don't know how much that will be, just weekenders for now.

Have you been on the highway with the new tires?  When I had a pair of Hankooks put on a 1 ton years ago, I went back to the dealer after a few miles on the highway and had him take them off.  When I would get up to 55 mph the van would try to swerve.  The dealer told me later that the distributor's agent told him that they should not be mixed with other tires.  I think they were 195/75/16's.