Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2013 14:45:40 -0800
Reply-To: Al Knoll <anasasi@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Al Knoll <anasasi@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Chains and whips was Autosock
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Chaains required, whips optional it says on the shirt from Mammoth Mountain
Ski Area. Best way to learn about your capabilities with chains is to put
em on in your driveway on a sunny day and no snow. Same with changing a
tire or a fan belt. Gitchaself some and put em on. Then the vagaries of
what hooks to where and how to put the tensioners on (you do have chain
tensioners, right) will no longer be shrouded in mystery. Take pix if
necessary and have your alternate driver watch. There are some handy boxes
with drive-over ramps that make the job a bit easier, at your local vanagon
supply store, Keep the chains in em along with the insulated waterproof
gloves (you DO have gloves, right?) You'll need an old bathtowel with
which to clean up all the detritus you will accumulate putting the chains
on in reality rather than the pleasant confines of your driveway.
After puttin on the chains in your driveway and attaching the tensioners,
put the two spare tensioners (you DO...)back in the box and drive a short
distance no faster than 20MPH and re-tension the chains. Make sure that
chain tool/pliers (you DO have...)and the spare crosslinks are also in the
box best in a zipLok on the bottom of the box. When you need em the chains
will already be on the van.
Now take em off in the driveway (the chains of course). Put em nicely
folde back in the box with the chain pliers and links. and that roll of
stainless safety wire...(you DO have...)
In olden days Weed V-Bar chains were a nice touch, better than ordinary
crosslink chains. Lots of choices today. If you have larger tires with
limited clearance get two sets of cable chains. You'll need em. And of
course a set of coveralls and something to lie in the mud on (YOU DO ...)
you will need em. Plain old cardboard that you can fold up under the rear
cushion works pretty well. Half a bicycle box is just right. And don't
forget a that wheel chock (you DO have a...)
Fortune favors the well prepared and practiced. Prepare the hot
coffee/tea before you venture out. In addition to the Tow Strap and the
snow shovel you'll need a flashlight and a red reflector, heck one of them
there bug-ugly green reflective safety vests wouldn't be a bad idea. A
"watch cap" or such will hell keep your noggin in good shape and a pair of
safety glasses (wrap around) or ski goggles is often handy. After all it
will be nasty out so don't leave it out.
Pensionerd
Qualified Winter Driver ... 1/4T, 3/4T, 2-1/2T ,5 T, M113, M88, M98, M116,
Thiokol Sprite, 155mm SP, 175mm SP, M60-A1. Courtesy of your tax money and
the Arctic Test Center, Ft. Greely AK.
PS: The reason you see so many 4x4 or AWDs in the snowbank or ditch is
because the vehicles owners forget that when it comes to stopping, AWD and
4WD aren't nearly the advantage they are when "going". Chains work in
both traction Avant and traction Retard AWD and 4WD simply don't Computer
moderated braking helps a lot but has it's own drawbacks on ice.
Roll Tide eh Unca Joel?
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