Date: Sun, 16 Feb 2003 21:33:29 -0500
Reply-To: "G.M.Bulley" <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "G.M.Bulley" <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Organization: Bulley-Hewlett
Subject: Re: Snow handling of 412
In-Reply-To: <3E5029E8.D8BAE918@enteract.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
The news isn't lying. It is at least 2 feet deep, and still snowing like
there is no tomorrow. The report said "5"-10" this evening, with an
additional 5"-10" overnight, with snow showers continuing Monday.
This is sick. Unbelievable. I'm thankful for that SWEET Eberspacher BA4.
From Snowball, DC,
G. Matthew Bulley
WAR-- A real threat to US Citizens?
Blood for oil?
Or an elaborate sideshow to distract attention from more pressing
national problems the Administration can't seem to solve?
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Larry Alofs
Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2003 7:17 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Snow handling of 412
"G.M.Bulley" wrote:
>
> Alright, Jens, and others in the snowy east who have had their 412s
out
> in the snow before... generally, how do they do in the snow? I have
> new-ish All Season M/S tires with chunky deep tread, 21 psi front, 28
> psi rear. Do they oversteer like a 911?
>
> I also have about 150 lbs forward of the spare tire to keep the front
> end tracking. I have access to another 300 lbs (Jerry jugs of water)
if
> that is helpful. Any other ideas?
>
> I'll need to get to 495 & Baltimore ASAP (Tuesday?) and that will mean
> trekking over a couple miles of semi-plowed DC streets. This San
> Diego-born, NC hometown boy should have taken the train home on
Friday.
>
My old 411 did great in the snow. I can remember plowing thru an
isolated drift that was above the hood. My passengers were a little
startled.
I wouldn't put much weight in the front. Having a large fraction of
the weight over the driving wheels is what gives you the traction
advantage. Just don't lock up the front wheels by braking too much when
you're trying to steer. My '76 bus did much better in snow than my
vanagon.
Of course if it's really 3 feet deep in DC as the news just reported,
you're not going to get much traction when the belly of the car is
supported on snow. Have fun.
Larry A.
Chicago, with 1" of snow from this storm.