> Having owned both a '72 and '82 (diesel) westies I can say with
> no hesitation that the Vanagon is much worse in the snow or any
> low traction conditions. The Vanagon has almost exactly 50/50 
> weight distribution unlike the pronounced rear weight bias of the loaf. 
>
>If you plan on taking your 2wd Vanagon anywhere in the snow, get snow
tires.

I agree completely, on all counts. Having had several each Busses and
Vanagons, the Bus is far superior to the 2WD Vanagon in snow and ice. The
Bus is excellent in the snow; the Vanagon only fair. This year I put
Vredestein snow tires (http://busdepot.com/busdepot/details/tires.jsp) on
the rear of my Vanagon for the first time (having used all-seasons
year-round previously). With good snow tires on it now, my Vanagon drives
acceptably well in the snow (although still not as well as my Bus did with
regular all-season tires). I don't know why I didn't do this a long time
ago. I can only imagine how good my Bus would have been in the snow with the
Vredesteins!

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  www.busdepot.com
  (215)  234-VWVW

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