Mac wrote:
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 08:16:17 -0700 From: mac stricklen <mac_stricklen@YAHOO.COM> Subject: vanagon off-road capable? After seeing many pictures on various websites of syncros in action, I've become curious about how off-road capable a regular transporter would be. They seem to have a fair amount of ground clearance, but I wondered how they do traction wise. I realize that I'm not going to be doing Baja stuff in the van, but I've been wondering just what I will be able to do with mine when I get it. . . mac Greetings: I would be the first to admit that my 1986 GL will not run with the four wheelers in all conditions, but it is my experience that the Vanagon is great in off highway conditions up to a point. I cruise around on rough dirt roads in the California and Arizona deserts regularly. On a number of occasions I have travelled the same roads on the same trips in several other makes and I am convinced -- I will take my Vanagon anytime in such conditions. I assume its the four wheel independent suspension and well engineered springing -- on washboarded roads my vanagon is much smoother than my buddies' 4x4s. I just hitch up my pants and go like hell, getting the speed up enough to smooth out the road. There seems to be an optimal speed for a given road condition where the springs smooth out the washboarding. For me it seems to between 30 and 45 mph. Compared to a Ford van I rode in recently, the Vanagon is dust tight. In dusty going, I turn on the A/C and close all vents. The interior stays clean. In the Ford, you would see fine dust looking like smoke pouring in around doors and from under the dash. As others have reported here, sand is a killer. As a kid I drove pickup trucks in sandy places. Some of the same techniques help with a Vanagon. You keep moving at a reasonable speed at all costs and make very gentle turns so the front wheels don't plow. If a sandy patch ahead looks questionable, stop before the going gets soft, get out and walk it. It is a lot easier to back out than to dig out. I always drop my tire pressures to 25 lbs all around when I expect to spend time on rough dirt roads. I run 8 ply truck tires with 40 lbs in front and 50 in the rear for highway driving. Though I carry considerable camping gear, I work to keep the weight down. In all, you can get to a lot of interesting, out-of-the-way places with a standard Vanagon -- probably anywhere a two wheel drive pickup truck can go. I bought my 85 in January 1991 with only 20,000 miles on the clock. Today it shows 204,000. I use it every day for work and pleasure and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Have fun -- Frank LaHorgue -- lahorgue@ix.netcom.com |
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