Tracey,

Tires and proper inflation is number one.  Use a light truck rated tire
with additional plies for greater load-bearing ability and run the tires
at a higher pressure (I run at 45 to 50psi).  Other things to look at
are worn front end components or poor front end alignment.

Karl Wolz

 > -----Original Message-----
 > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
Behalf Of
 > Tracey Estevez
 > Sent: Sunday, March 21, 2004 6:26 PM
 > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
 > Subject: Better handling in windy conditions?
 >
 > I love driving my 85 Westy even though it is not the most sporty or
aerodynamic
 > car that I own. Today was so windy here in coastal Maryland and I
drove the van
 > into town to the FLAPS (where else do Vanagons go on Sunday's if they
are not
 > camping?) and was nearly knocked off the road by the gusts of wind.
It was truly a
 > white-knuckle ride with the van skating from side to side.
 > Does anybody have any suggestions in the realm of tire replacement or
 > suspension mods that may help these vans ride more stable in windy
conditions. I
 > am looking at tire replacement by the end of summer and have read
tons of the
 > infamous tire posts, but found nothing relating to handling in the
wind.
 >
 > -Tracey E