----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan Snow" <dieselvanagon@HOTMAIL.COM>

>I know that rally cars run very soft suspensions in snow and ice
stages,
>and I believe this is at least partially to alleviate this problem.
Soft
>means that all four tires are carrying their share of the load, given
>a low enough CG...

With a rally car, it's not so much about "carrying" part of the load, as
it is getting traction.  Most competitive rally drivers are
intentionally spinning the car (with left-foot braking and oversteer),
then catching the rear end with opposite lock, and powering out of the
corner.  With 300-600 horsepower.  If you can't put the power down
(because, say: an outside drive wheel is locked, spinning, or hanging
off the road... and/or the inside is locked or lifted due to body roll)
then you'll slide in a nice straight line right through the corner, and
into the angry nature.  In my experience, many rally DNFs occur because
the car has lost some power (and/or grip) due to equipment failure, but
the driver is still throwing the car sideways into corners; without the
power to get out, you go off.

I guess my point is that the Vanagon doesn't have the power in the first
place.  So without redesigning the suspension, the first priorities are
increasing traction, and reducing wheelspin -- studs and chains are
great, but a good tread design(and light right foot) will do wonders...
while a few hundred pounds of pig iron over the drive axle will be a
revelation.

Isaac in Cambridge