Date:         8 Nov 94 08:22 PST
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         YTEH9301@bcit.bc.ca
Subject:      Re: Driving in high winds

FROM: H YATES

Hi there, Wes.  Regarding tires, I have a '90 Syncro Westy and I have a set
of Yokohama LT195 75/14 Y370 tires.  I run them 43 psi front, 53 psi rear.
I experience no sway what so ever.  In fact, the van handles exceptionally
well.  I corner 30-40 km/h over the posted speeds around corners with no
squeal or sway.  The van handles impressively given its weight, and size.

Driving in winds is a challenge, especially on the prairies.  It definitely
is like driving a sail! Like you say, you drive with care.  Tailwinds
are OK though!

Thx.
Harry
Computer Operations__Internet: YTEH9301@BCIT.BC.CA
Ph: 604 - 432-8246
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 From: Wes Neuenschwander <wesn@eskimo.com>
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 Subject: Re: Driving in high winds
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 On Mon, 7 Nov 1994, David Carment wrote:

 > Last night driving down the freeway , I had a heck of a time staying in
 > the lane and keeping up the speed of the Vanagon above 50mph. I was
 > driving directly against winds betwen 80 and 90 kmh (50-55 mph). Is it
 > "normal"  for Vanagon handling to be compromised by high winds? Will
 > reinforced tires help the situation (I have C tires in the back only).
 > Plus driving into the wind is like driving a barn door into a hurricane,
 > speed becomes a mute issue except going downhill. DC  --
 >
 > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 > David Carment
 > School of International Affairs
 > Carleton University
 > Ottawa, Ontario
 > K1S 5B6
 > voice - (613) 788-2600-6662
 > fax - (613) 788-2889
 > Email address: dcarment@ccs.carleton.ca
 > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 >

 No answers here, only commiseration!  I've had very similar problems,
 even in less forceful winds, in my '91 Westy.  VERY nasty at times;
 indeed I think truly hazardous.  Have had to reduce speed to 40 MPH to
 accomodate the problem.

 Actually, this was the problem that prompted meto post the inquiry
 regarding tires a few weeks ago, but apparently (at least for me) the
 answer lies elsewhere (I'm running the, generally, highly regarded,
 reinforced Michelin MXL's @ 35/40 PSI).  The effect I experience is
 actually more like a ducking and bobbing, combined with lateral
 "feinting"  - sort of like a boxer - rather than pure lateral
 motion.  It's even a problem in nearly still wind conditions (though not
 so severe as to be hazardous - just annoying and tiring), when there's a
 lot of semi-trailer traffic ahead of me.  Sort of like the "clear air
 turbulence problem caused by large jet's at airports.  The dealer claims
 this is normal!  Curiously, my '82 camper (w/o pop-top) handled much
 better - really not a problem at all.  Different tires too (Continentals
 @ about 40/50 PSI).  One tire shop suggested that it could be a tread
 pattern factor, rather than sidewall stiffness.  Claimed that the
 Michelin MXL's were naturally "squirelly".  I'm also considering some
 suspension mod's, such as a sway bar, but don't expect that would do much
 for the ducking and bobbing effect.  Shocks, BTW, seem excellent (and of
 course this has been a problem since the vehicle was new).  I don't know
 what else to say, other than DRIVE CAREFULLY!


 --------------------------------------------
 Wes Neuenschwander
 Seattle, WA

 (wesn@eskimo.com)