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Date:         Sun, 16 Nov 2014 13:09:03 -0800
Reply-To:     Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM>
Subject:      Re: Suspension for Off Roading
Comments: To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAHTkEuLnJi07f-b18F9hveV2wSx8OHTL0_Wrt4u7XVx6we8riA@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Good advice. I have the alloy 14-inchers from VW and do wonder how tough they are… that said, I've hammered them quite a lot and they're still straight.

I believe that the larger the wheel is, the more one can punish them without failure, and I suspect this is true of the alloys as well. Not sure which way I'll go when upping to 16"...

Eric Eric Wunrow Pictures 85 S Union Blvd, #Q123 Lakewood, CO 80228 303. 988. 8717 VW@EricWunrow.com

On Nov 16, 2014, at 8:15 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Another consideration when working on your off road suitability....Alloy > wheels are more prone to damage than steel ones. Alloys will fracture or > fail when you hit the rim into a pothole or smoosh a huge boulder with a > low air tire....Steelies, if they do get damaged off road, they can be bent > back often times....or at least enough to get the bead to seat for the > tire, enabling you to keep moving. I have twice bent steel rims in Baja > and broken an alloy aftermarket one. One of the steelies I bent, we were > almost 60 miles from pavement and there was nothing around. We > straightened the rim with a rock and aired it up using our bicycle pump, > with gasoline and a match to seat the bead....In Baja you may sit for days > on end until another vehicle comes along...often finding an appropriate rim > may involve long distances to help....I keep my rims in steel now. > > On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 7:43 AM, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote: > >> Yes I do deflate the tires when I do off road - usually I take out 10psi >> and 15psi on sand - in any case I leave a minimum 20psi. As Dennis >> mentioned there's a risk of damage to tires specially on the side wall if >> the road has a lot sharp rocks such as the one from Ubehe Crater to the >> Race Track in Death Valley. I always carry a 12V air pump, off road or not. >> >> On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 7:26 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> >> wrote: >> >>> Off roaders will air down the tires to improve traction and reduce >> sinking >>> on soft dirt, mud, and sand. As the pressure is lowered the contact patch >>> increases. They will often air down low enough that the sidewalls can >> also >>> provide a floatation effect, 12-16psi is common. The down side of this is >>> an increased chance of rolling the bead off the rim and having a tire >>> completely air out and hitting any type of sharp object can damage a tire >>> internally. Note this approach is for low speed operation. >>> >>> You didn't say what tire you are using, size or type, If using a regular >>> passenger tire you reach full capacity at ~35 psi. Above that you are >> going >>> for handling or reduced rolling resistance. >>> >>> Dennis >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf >>> Of Stan Shapiro >>> Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2014 10:14 AM >>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM >>> Subject: Re: Suspension for Off Roading >>> >>> Another question on suspension. I have a 90 Westy, 16 in wheels, >>> Michelin tires, and Bilstein shocks from GoWesty. It is terrible on >>> washboard roads. I notice the 4 wheelers let air out of their tires >>> before going off road. Does anyone have any experience in letting a >>> small amount of air out for a washboard road?? If so, how much do you >>> let out? Do you carry a 12 volt compressor to refill? >>> >>> Thanks >>> Stan >>> Idaho >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf >>> Of Chris S. >>> Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2014 2:58 PM >>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM >>> Subject: Re: Suspension for Off Roading >>> >>> See Burley Motorsports' custom upper control arms that eliminate the >>> finicky bushings. Also, for a good off road ride you may consider >>> progressive long travel springs. I have Schwenk springs on my Syncro and >>> they are wonderful. >>> >>> Chris. >>> >>> Wysłane z iPhone'a >>> >>> Dnia Nov 15, 2014 o godz. 14:47 Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM> >>> napisał(a): >>> >>>> Hello: >>>> >>>> >>>> I thought about posting this on the Samba but you all seem a bit more >>> civil… and helpful. >>>> >>>> >>>> We are traveling full-time in a 1984 Westy we bought just months before >>> leaving, and are about to end Month 16. Challenging, yes… and perhaps >> equal >>> parts commendable and committable. But we are in for the long haul. >>>> >>>> I have had four alignments done in 12K miles. At first I thought the >>> mechanics weren't torquing the right upper control arm enough, as it >> keeps >>> coming loose and knocking toe way out… last time it was over AN INCH out, >>> and now a few hundred miles later, it's out again and baking our new BFG >>> ATs. Ugh. >>>> >>>> The easiest solution seems to be replacing the control arm bolts, as I >>> do not think Loctite will solve it in the proper way. But, if the arms >> need >>> to come off anyway, and possibly new bushings are needed as well, what >> are >>> my options for upgrading the suspension for constant dirt travel? I saw a >>> gray panel Synchro at Buses by the Bridge in January with Fox shocks and >> it >>> looked like a great solution. I am willing to trade highway comfort for >> off >>> road softness before parts start flying off at will. >>>> >>>> We hope to keep our Bus forever, and though we are short of funds I do >>> not necessarily want a quick fix. We have to rely on this Thing (Ahem, >>> sorry, Bus) for a long time and may take it around the globe. So >> anything I >>> can do for the long-term good is of prime interest, and getting to remote >>> places is partly why we live in it. >>>> >>>> Also, if you know of anyone in So. Cal. or near Yuma capable of this >>> work (where we're wintering), I'm all ears. I found a cooperative tire >>> store owner in Pahrump who owns a few Vanagons, but have yet to ask if >> such >>> an upgrade is within his realm. >>>> >>>> >>>> Thanks in Advance, >>>> >>>> Eric >>>> Eric Wunrow Pictures >>>> 85 S Union Blvd, #Q123 >>>> Lakewood, CO 80228 >>>> >>>> 303. 988. 8717 >>>> VW@EricWunrow.com >>> >> >


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