Date:         Sun, 4 Nov 2001 19:39:12 -0600
Reply-To:     Roy Olynick <rrh@AUTOBAHN.MB.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Roy Olynick <rrh@AUTOBAHN.MB.CA>
Subject:      Re: How does a Westy Camper Handle in the Snow?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

How does a Westy handle in the snow?....Terrible, from my experience. Driving my
2WD '87 Westy in the Real Winter here on the Canadian prairies was a nightmare.
Very little traction and lots of rear end sway and fish tailing on slippery
roads.

The camper was a year round daily driver for twelve years. During those years I
went through the factory equipped all-season Continentals and a set of Dunlop
LTs. The van has Michelin Agilis tires now that have never touched snow because
I store the vehicle for the winter now. Winter tires and 4WD most likely would
have improved handling though but by how much, I don't know.

Deep snow and slushy road conditions stiffened up the steering and accelerator
linkages more often than I care to remember. Take your Westy to Hawaii, Mexico
or Florida for the winter and drive it there...IMHO,  it's not a winter vehicle.

Roy Olynick
'87 Westfalia GL
(till death do us part)
'91 Honda Civic SE
'01 Honda Civic LX