I would have to say my old 1969 Westy was hands down a better off roader
than my 1980 Westy.  Higher clearance, better traction, and much better
gearing.  I think the lighter weight had a bit to do with it too.  Can not
say yet how the 1984 will be.

John Andrew 1984 Westy
-----Original Message-----
From: John Reynolds <kayakjr@juno.com>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Thursday, August 03, 2000 7:14 PM
Subject: Re: off road in a Vanagon Was Tries

>---SNIP---
>>I'd be really interested to know about any successes with tires as
>>relates to off-pavement traction improvements.  Being an old
>>breadloaf air-cooled ex-owner, I have to say I'm quite amazed with
>>just how poor the 2WD vanagon performance is compared to the old
>>id-70s buses we had when it comes to traction off pavement.  We have
>>82 diesel westy now, BTW.---SNIP
>
>I'd be interested in knowing others feeling on off-road(or off pavement)
>with a 2WD Vanagon, and comparisons to the older bay window vans)  I have
>a friend who has owned several 4-WD's, and done a fair amount of
>off-roading and he said his 81 Westy (now given to me) was the best
>vechicle he has driven in snow, and he was working a ski slope in
>Colorado at the time.
>
>Was your bay a non-camper and the westy equip. hurting the wght.
>distribution?  One could off-road with a minimum of fuel in the front,
>carrying jerry cans on the rear to make up for capacity and more
>improvement in weight distribution.
>
>10 gal on the rear in jerry's is roughly a 200 lb improvement in
>distibution.  Off course you could carry a couple of agressive tires and
>mount them when venturing and put the street tires on the back of the van
>too.  What the h*ll, get a step bumper anfd put the whole family back
>there, the dogs too - my two way 185 lbs together!
>
>Let's see gas in cans 100Lbs
>tires on holder - 80Lbs?
>kids - 80 Lbs (there small)
>Dogs - 185 Lbs
>Wife - Yeah right, you want to see me in divorce court!
>Beef Stew - 5 Lbs
>
>Will have a greater effect on non-camper models - they are probably
>better for off-roading and no propane tank - that's what I would worry
>about!
>
>John Reynolds
>81 Westy