Date: Sun, 16 Dec 2007 19:47:20 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Snow chains
In-Reply-To: <000c01c8405d$091b4f20$2f01a8c0@Gateway>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
There's a euro style tire chain that is the only kind I would ever use.
The roll smoothly on hard surfaces, go off and on easily, and are just
bomber !
Alpine something is the brand,
Black and white vinyl case. Zig Zag pattern across the tread face, not
straight across like old fashioned ameilican style ones.
Don' have to jack it up to put them on.
They don't even need rubber bands, as they have a ratcheting mechanism.
They're fantastic !
Also, if you are using M & S type tires rather than some winter tire, or
something pretty knarly.............I have to say kinda 'forget it.'
You 'can' drive on packed snow on regular M & S type tread tires.....but you
are giving up an easy 50 % in traction.
Vanagons do just fine btw, on packed snow and ice.
2WD ones.
Syncro's ............now those are serious winter vehicles with the right
tires.
Btw, I don't recommend studded tires unless you are in Minnesota or
somewhere like that and you are *always* on packed snow or ice.
Otherwise, what I recommend is Studless Winter tires.
I have Blizzacks for my turbo Volvo sedan ( 2WD ) ..........and chains for
'more' if I need it.
Studless Winter Tires have a different rubber compound for more traction,
plus tread design going for them, of course.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Dave Creasy
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 7:29 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Snow chains
We used some chains on our 85 Westy when got stuck on an unplowed road last
year when Christmas tree cutting. They were not ours, but a fellow who had
some for his small pickup down the road. He had a Westy in his garage
surprisingly. Used as a last resort, very slowly, they worked quite well.
When we got home I insisted my husband try a set on the car which had been
sitting in the garage from who knows when. They fit well enough that they
can be used in an emergency situation. We don't use the Westy that much in
bad conditions but you never know.
Mary
----- Original Message -----
From: "Larry Himli" <lhimli@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 3:10 PM
Subject: Snow chains
Past experience with the 87 Westy in snow or sand hasn't been too good.
Heading to Telluride over the holidays but don't want to chance hitting snow
without better traction. Any suggestions for chains, etc. I've got
standard 14" tires. Thanks
Larry
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