Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:49:50 -0600
Reply-To: mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject: Re: Tin top going camping... 2wd off road capability
In-Reply-To: <EHHv1n01f08X5Fr01HHxcF>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Dave, I don't know where you are or what conditions you are considering.
My 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Campmobile (2WD) has been into some pretty rough stuff. Always a road of some kind, but often not much more than a track, and often beaten to death by heavy vehicles. We have good clearance with our beasts. Going slow is the key to avoiding rocks that will hit the undercarriage. If the mudholes are too deep or too lengthy, that will stop you, but if there is some kind of bottom, you can usually bridge them with brush or other device to get traction. Knowing when to hit them with a little momentum helps, too. Of course, if you are talking about a place where the terrain is basically clay and it's wet, then you probably will be stopped. Don't try steep slopes in the back country. Since you have to go slow, you don't have the momentum, and if you have to turn around, you may find yourself top heavy on the leans.
Deep sand, no go, but if intermittent on a track, then similar precautions to those used for mud can help. Traction devices, momentum at the right time, brush all can help.
Deep snow, no go.
Obviously, you cannot cross creeks or other water that is too deep or swift for the vehicle. Swift water is treacherous; It needn't be deep to put enough pressure on the vehicle to move it. Before using a ford, make sure that it is shallow enough and that the bottom is hard. Look for evidence that other vehicles cross it regularly, and consider the current flow level.
Take advantage of any local information available.
mcneely
---- Fjazzbass <fjazzbass@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> I'm finally taking baby bus out camping in the Ocala national forest. Until now she's only been a road queen. I'm told that the trip to the campsite is somewhat treacherous... What conditions would make this a no go for me? Does anyone have any examples of where my 2 (really 1) wheel drive vanagon can not make it? I thought the off-road capability was high as long as we weren't dealing with climbing rocks and splurging through mud...
>
> Thanks in advance for your wisdom :-)
>
> Dave
> 85 GL "babybus"
>
> Sent from my iPad
--
David McNeely
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