Date:         Sun, 16 Feb 2003 18:16:40 -0600
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Snow handling of 412
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

"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.