Malcom,

You don't want to do this, believe me: If, perchance, you lock up the
rear wheels, the vehicle will spin around. And if you happen to be moving
at any speed, the spin will be sudden and violent. But if you to decide
to try it anyway, be sure to hold in that little button on the end of the
brake handle so that you can release it quickly when all hell breaks
loose.

Been there, done that, didn't like it...
adh

>Date:    Thu, 10 Jan 2002 10:46:36 -0400
>From:    Malcolm Stebbins <MSTEBBIN@MSVU1.MSVU.CA>
>Subject: Re: A Snow Story (Whoa-vanagon!!!) and Lessons Learned
>
>I'm glad to see this thread come back as I also had a thought on the
>matter.  Early in this thread, part of the discussion was about the
>problems experienced with a van going DOWN-hill on icy roads and
>the rear of the van slipping out to the side and trying to overtake the
>front of the van.  I was musing the other day about what would
>happen IF!, when going downhill, and the rear of the van skidding
>out to the side -- What would happen if the driver were to apply the
>parking brake - either a lot or a little.  Seems to me that the resulting
>drag (from applying the parking brake), on the rear! wheels, MIGHT
>help get the rear-end back in line.  I have NEVER tried this, and I'm
>sure that during that split-second panic when the rear wheels let go -
>that I might not react fast enough to do any good.  If anyone on this
>list tries this - you do so without my blessing - but please post your
>results to the list.  Malcolm