Date:         Thu, 3 Aug 2000 21:04:10 -0400
Reply-To:     kayakjr@juno.com
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Reynolds <kayakjr@juno.com>
Subject:      Re: off road in a Vanagon Was Tries
Comments: To: tobin.copley@ubc.ca
Content-Type: text/plain

---SNIP---
>I'd be really interested to know about any successes with tires as
>relates to off-pavement traction improvements.  Being an old
>breadloaf air-cooled ex-owner, I have to say I'm quite amazed with
>just how poor the 2WD vanagon performance is compared to the old
>id-70s buses we had when it comes to traction off pavement.  We have
>82 diesel westy now, BTW.---SNIP

I'd be interested in knowing others feeling on off-road(or off pavement)
with a 2WD Vanagon, and comparisons to the older bay window vans)  I have
a friend who has owned several 4-WD's, and done a fair amount of
off-roading and he said his 81 Westy (now given to me) was the best
vechicle he has driven in snow, and he was working a ski slope in
Colorado at the time.

Was your bay a non-camper and the westy equip. hurting the wght.
distribution?  One could off-road with a minimum of fuel in the front,
carrying jerry cans on the rear to make up for capacity and more
improvement in weight distribution.

10 gal on the rear in jerry's is roughly a 200 lb improvement in
distibution.  Off course you could carry a couple of agressive tires and
mount them when venturing and put the street tires on the back of the van
too.  What the h*ll, get a step bumper anfd put the whole family back
there, the dogs too - my two way 185 lbs together!

Let's see gas in cans 100Lbs
tires on holder - 80Lbs?
kids - 80 Lbs (there small)
Dogs - 185 Lbs
Wife - Yeah right, you want to see me in divorce court!
Beef Stew - 5 Lbs

Will have a greater effect on non-camper models - they are probably
better for off-roading and no propane tank - that's what I would worry
about!

John Reynolds
81 Westy