Date:         Fri, 8 Dec 2006 07:10:41 -0800
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject:      Newbie, hello all and a question(long)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

  Just found the list and I've been lurking for just a few days.  Wanted to say hello and make a few observations on my Vanagon.
I have an 84 with a 92 inline 4, 5sp transaxle.  Can't believe I went so long between vans.  I had, back in my early days, a 57 36hp with African fold-up windshield.  That one took me from Canada to Mexico, from California to S. Dakota and all around for many years.  My "home" for my first winter away from mommy and daddy, ski-bumming in Aspen.
  I' found my current one on the Samba list,  in GL/passenger mode.  As Van owners are wont to do, I've been 'personalizing' it to suit my requirements.  I've added a partial interior from a westy...The fold down bed/seat, the water system and the refer/sink/stove cab unit as well as a couple of lights in the rear and an aux. battery under the driver seat.  Tinted the rear windows very dark for privacy.  We travel a lot, do a lot of car camping and I race bicycles, so the Vanagon is perfect for that as it's now configured.  Bikes go inside for daily use, or on longer trips  I mount a rack onto the rear hatch, with room for three bikes and 9 wheels, leaving the inside free to accommodate people, change clothes, keep the dogs in..
  We took our maiden voyage this fall, from Oregon to S. Utah for bicycle stage race and a week long road trip.  Averaged about 25mpg at 70mph across eastern Oregon, Nevada and Utah.  Two big dogs, 3 race bikes, two large humans.  The van was perfect, exactly enough room and stuff..the fridge stayed lit, the water tank never went dry and wheeling the van around in tight places certainly beat trying to work my F-250 truck with the Alaskan camper that we have been using..
   Now my question.  Is it normal that Vanagons have poor traction?  I live on a hill, have a gravel road into my house and some slick areas in my yard/parking area.  I notice the vanagon seems to lose traction quite easily..more so than most other 2wd cars and trucks I bring up my drive.  The other day I even had to chain up to back up on some of my wet muddy grass.  Everything seems in good shape in the driveline and the suspension looks normal.  The tires are a bit worn, but not bald.  I recall my old AC split window had superb traction, and my old beetle (I have a 72, FS. btw) also has pretty good drive..Wassup with the Vanagon?  Normal?  Any input on available limited slip diffs?
  anyhow, sorry for the length of this and hello all..

  Don Hanson