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Date:         Tue, 5 Nov 2002 09:43:12 -0400
Reply-To:     Malcolm Stebbins <Malcolm.Stebbins@MSVU.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Malcolm Stebbins <Malcolm.Stebbins@MSVU.CA>
Subject:      Re: Canyon de Chelly and syncro???
In-Reply-To:  <20021105070929.2116.qmail@web40905.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

> I did this in late 1986 in my Toyota 4x4 pickup. We were n the canyon > for 4 hours. I'm not sure if they will let a VW syncro do it. Besides > 4x4 they also say high clearence is needed. The drive in in & along the > river bottom & is very sandy & deep in places.

This is interesting and I'd love to do it...BUT: In my experience my '91 Syncro Westy is NOT good in loose sand, at least not good in loose dry sand, at least not fully loaded and with 185 tires. Tires too narrow, and the engine does not have enough horsepower to 'surf' on loose sand. Wet sand may be somewhat different and gravel and stone and sandy bottom may give traction to at least one wheel to keep going. But when all 4 wheels hit loose sand, in about 10 yards my van would bog down and I then needed to put sand ladders under the wheels to get me out. In loose dry sand, as soon as one spins the tires, the vehicle sinks. Syncros are good as long as there is solid traction for 1 or 2 wheels. malcolm


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