Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 10:19:16 -0700
Reply-To: davidson <davidson@SIERRA.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: davidson <davidson@SIERRA.NET>
Subject: Re: new list member, Syncro info?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=Default
Moon:
Running tires at greatly reduced tire pressure (like 20lbs) is hard on the
sidewalls. Especially with a heavy load. Letting them cool down after the
highway travel and going slow would be best. Not letting them cool down and
going fast and hitting bumps would be worst. The Michelin MXTs are the only
tire made specifically for the Vanagon and they have a reinforced sidewall
which is what I would want under any conditions and especially low air
pressure with a heavy load.
Another thing you should be aware of is that the Syncro uses a viscous
coupling that is VERY particular about all four tires being the same size,
the same tread pattern, and even the same amount of wear. That means you
wouldn't want to have 3 tires with 40,000 miles on them and a new tire. You
should put your spare into the tire rotation. The viscous coupling is VERY
expensive if you burn it up.
Also consider, if you have only one spare and you take your Syncro to a
remote place and blow a tire you then have no spare. And when you finally
get to a small town they almost surely won't have a tire to match your
tires (a match would mean brand, size, tread pattern, and degree of wear).
Many serious 4 wheelers take two spares. And though the stock Westy Syncro
is not a serious 4 wheel vehicle (due to weight, high center of gravity,
steering radius, low clearance, and large amount of distance from the
wheels to the bumpers -- bad on sharp dips) the sensitive, expensive
viscous coupling argues (in my mind) for a second spare.
I take my Westy Syncro to remote places. That's why I have two matched
spares (205-70-14 Michelin MXTs) and I do a six tire rotation. I mounted
the 2nd spare upright, securely over the rear window wash fluid reservoir
with an eye bolt and a hook. I had a rectangle cut out of the cushion and
upholstered to look nice so that the spare will sit on the deck. (I also
had the foam rectangle that was cut out upholstered to match so that I
could remove the 2nd spare and insert the plug to have a complete rear
cushion on less remote trips.) To make it look nice and keep tire dirt off
my gear I covered it with a white 'tyre gard' sold at RV stores.
I envy your heading out to Baja. Have fun!
Bill
'90 Westy Syncro
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From: moon <moon@BINTERACTIVE.COM>
To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Subject: new list member, syncro info?
Date: Saturday, October 17, 1998 8:49 AM
hello all!
we've just purchased a 1986 syncro vanagon and so far we're stoked. we have
a couple of questions we hope someone could help us with. we've searched
the archives a bit, but any other info would be most appreciated. there is
alot of great tire info ( thanks! ) but we were wondering about lots of low
pressure sand travel under camping load after much highway travel ( we're
planning a trip to baha ) we are also looking for a good mechanic in the
new england area to get us started (syncro experience would be a bonus )
our vanagon is a non-camper so any camper conversion ideas to share would
be great and we welcome any baha travel tips / info.
looking forward to connecting!
best regards,
moon & brenda
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