Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:09:24 -0800
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 2WD Beach Driving
In-Reply-To: <432871250.732883.1361475801353.JavaMail.root@sz0063a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net>
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Driving a 2wd Vanagon in the sand would take some skill and finesse. If
you are a knowledgable sand driver, you shouldn't have too many
problems...unless you make a mistake..
You might want to toss some carpet into the van for getting un-stuck, and
perhaps a way to re-inflate your tires if you have to air-down to get out
.....also, a bucket to bring water up to your rig if you get into soft sand
and stick there....If you drive "ahead" you can make almost any vehicle go
in sand....if you don't, you can also stick just about any vehicle with
poor driving and dumb stops...
.As you may know, 2wd vanagons aren't all that great in low traction
situations...perhaps on the lower edge of just average, and a Westie is
pretty heavy. There are always plenty of Macho 4x4s on the Texas beaches
who'd be glad to pull you out, but as mentioned, getting stuck below high
tide line isn't a good idea.
Corpus and Brownsville are fun places..Take your windsurfers along, a
great place to learn that sport. Also, be aware of 'Northers'....When a
front passes, the wind will suddenly switch to the north and blow really
HARD! At Bird Island Basin where we camped a few times, the rangers would
come around and warn people...and then return the next day with gear and
pets that had not been tied down or put away before the Norther hit...
Corpus has car washes with drive over spray racks....after driving on
the beach, people with good vehicles often visit the car wash to remove the
salt water from their undercarriage on one of these drive-over spray wash
places.
On Thu, Feb 21, 2013 at 11:43 AM, J Stewart <fonman4277@comcast.net> wrote:
> , back in the 80's the US Postal Service was selling off its Jeep 2wd
> delivery vehicles, and I remember seeing a lot of them on the beaches down
> there. At $500-800.00 depending on condition, they made great sacrificial
> beach buggys, Jeff Stewart ----- Original Message -----
> > ---- J Stewart <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
> > > Used to see a lot of seriously rusted out cars (mainly 70's
> > > vintage) in Corpus Christie from driving out on the beach!! Jeff
> > > Stewart
> > I have seen vehicles on S. Padre Island literally embedded in the sand
> > for all time, including one Toyota pickup that had probably been there
> > for a good long while. It was embedded in the sand in the surf zone
> > up to the level of the windows. The hood was gone, and if an engine
> > was still in it, it was covered up with sand. I used to use a picture
> > of it when I was teaching and would tell the students that that's what
> > happens to folks who drive on beaches.
> > Folks who live in the area and frequent the beaches a lot sometimes
> > have old vehicles dedicated to the purpose. They call them "beach
> > cars."
> > mcneely
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > So I am finally about ready to get to take my first road trip with
> > > > Roo, the 89 West which I bought with a bad engine. I rebuilt the
> > > > 2.1
> > > > from the ground up last fall and this winter... all new bearing,
> > > > rods,
> > > > pistons, cylinders, heads, wires, exhaust, cat, hoses
> > > > fuel/coolant. I
> > > > sanded and painted all of the inside steel that fades and rusts
> > > > over
> > > > the years, and I am in the process of painting the fiberglass pop
> > > > top
> > > > with interlux marine paint and installing a new gray suede
> > > > headliner,
> > > > and a new sunbrella canvas from Pierre in Canada. I thought I
> > > > might
> > > > take my son on spring break to Corpus Christi to get some beach
> > > > time,
> > > > and in looking at the state park there it seems that you can camp
> > > > on
> > > > the beach. My actual question is regarding driving a 2WD Westy in
> > > > sand if you have the Peloquins limited slip? I would never
> > > > consider
> > > > trying beach driving in my automatic 87 Westy, but wondered if
> > > > anyone
> > > > has ventured into sand with limited slip? I am also wondering if
> > > > any
> > > > list members have spent time in Corpus Christi? As always, many
> > > > thanks and a reminder that anyone here traveling through northern
> > > > New
> > > > Mexico has a place to camp in Taos!
> > > > Best,
> > > > Finn Runyon
> > > > 89 Westy Roo
> > > > 87 Westy Pooh
> > > > 2012 VW GTI Autobahn
> > --
> > David McNeely
>
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