Date:         Tue, 8 Feb 2011 14:12:09 -0600
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Those ramps
Comments: To: "Mark L. Hineline" <hineline@OCOTILLOFIELD.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <A762B469-B8A3-4185-8A88-DC6BE5E727D2@ocotillofield.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

---- "Mark L. Hineline" <hineline@OCOTILLOFIELD.NET> wrote:
> Thanks, Tony. Much less expensive.
>
> While searching for the ladders, I came across the claim that almost
> everything a sand ladder would do can be done better by letting air
> out of the tires. I wonder if this is as true for 2WD as for Syncros.

Mark, I am not certain about "better," but letting air out is the usual way of coping with sand.  Some folks even have a system set up to deflate and inflate tires without getting out of the vehicle.  So far as 2WD, the physics of the situation is not dependent on how many wheels drive the vehicle.  It is a matter of surface area vs. instability of the surface.  Increase the surface area, there is more friction surface and less ability to "dig in."  All that said, a solid surface such as the ramps depicted in the ads, or something similar, definitely provides traction.  That;s why folks like me have resorted to putting brush, old carpets, whatever, under the tires.  With deflation, you are good to go without having to constantly reset the ramps if a long sandy stretch occurs.

Deflation is not a wear problem when in the back country.  You will be driving very slowly.

mcneely