Interesting side note,

When I lived in Austria, one Gasthaus owner bought a spankin' new 1981
Vanagon.  In the winter, since they don't salt the roads, he would just
throw on a set of winter tires and chains, and zip around like a madman.
I've never seen him stuck in snow.

Once we got up to 145 KM/H in that thing while hauling 8 adults and 4
children with luggage stuffed in every nook and cranny.  No, it wasn't down
hill.  It was a flat section of the Autobahn.  Aaaah, those European motors.

----- Original Message -----
From: CHRIS STANN <cstann@HOME.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, August 04, 2000 9:38 PM
Subject: Re: off road in a Vanagon Was Tires

> The old Breadloafs are lighter than our Vana-gones.  So they tread more
> lightly.  They have more rear-biased weight distribution plus lower
gearing.
> Every little bit helps.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jim A <jrasite@eoni.com>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, August 04, 2000 9:27 PM
> Subject: Re: off road in a Vanagon Was Tires
>
>
> > I'd be curious to know the weight of a V'gon vs. a loaf.  My ASI
> conversion
> > ('77) crosses the scales at 4750 two up, loaded for camping.  Anybody
KNOW
> how
> > much their V'gon weighs?
> >
> > BTW, 50-50 weight distribution.  2350:2400.  Close enough. Corners like
a
> > Porsche...  A tall Porsche, but still a Porsche.  Short Story: Followed
a
> 3
> > series BMW down the twisty road that's my commute.  He flagged me down
> when we
> > got to town to ask what I had in it.  Was surprised when I told him,
> "Stock 2
> > liter."  Hey, it's my COMMUTE! And it's downhill! He said that he just
> > couldn't get away.  Said he "was really pushing it."  Made my day!
> >
> > Jim Arnott
> > WetWesties
> > Union, OR
> >
> > John Andrew wrote:
> > >
> > > 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
>