Date:         Wed, 22 Jul 1998 09:25:09 -0700
Reply-To:     Otmar Ebenhoech <Otmar@EVCL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Otmar Ebenhoech <Otmar@EVCL.COM>
Subject:      Re: vanagon off-road capable?
Comments: To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
In-Reply-To:  <4.0.1.19980721210939.04cb2bf0@pop.interport.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>>Well I think there is a BIG difference between the off road ability of the 2
>>wheel drive Vanagon and loaf.
>>
>>Certainly good tires help, but there is something about the Vanagon's
>>suspension (I think it is less "compliant" ) and the more equal weight
>>distribution is a handicap off road.
>>
>>You really notice it when the van is at an angle, either when you are
>>crawling along a dry river/creek bed or when you have one side in a rut.
>>
>>Traction in snow is also not as good as the loaf.


I found a similar result with my wetie on a rutted steep hill. I'm so used
to a loaf that I was surprised at the minimal traction of the vanagon.

I figure it might be partially due to the stiff front sway bar. On uneven
surfaces the stiff sway bar could be holding the front of the van level
with the front surface and therefore not allow the rear wheels to comply
with the rear surface.  Could it be that we need a "unlocking front
swaybar"?

I figure that the srings on the back of the vanagon don't help either, they
must have a much higher rate progression per degree of trailing arm travel
than the torsion bars of a loaf.  I'm thinking that replacing the coil
springs with air bags may help maintain constant pressure on the rear
wheels.

Ideas anyone?
 -Otmar-
72(front),73(rear),76,78,82,87(parts) Stretched bus
82 A3 GTI Westfalia, turning into a hybrid electric stretch
86 Syncro 7 passenger Soon to be the front of the new stretch
Several EVs (Electric Vehicles)
Have owned way too many VWs to list. :-)
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