That 65-70 mph uphill sure sounds tantalizing. With a 1.9L engine, a 225
pound cyclist, his wife, two 18 pound bikes, a cooler, and nothing much
else, the best we can hope for is 55 mph uphill. If I have to lift off
the gas for any reason on a climb, it drops to 45-50 mph until the top.
I've been driving this van for 22 years and 2 engines and this has never
changed. Maybe I'll go big when the 1.9 finally goes South .....

On another note, I have a brand new set of M195/14 Michelin LTXs. They
were positively awful at the door sticker's 39/48 PSI F/R. Much better
at 46/46, but still a slight wobble in a crosswind or semi truck pass.
Still fishing for the optimum combination. Van's interior is bare bones,
no center seat, so it's as light weight as possible.

Walter
85 Vanagon 1.9

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of 
Subject: Re: trip report, Portland, Oregon>Bishop, Ca. return.

  Yes, 165lb driver aboard.  Weighed on an ODOT highway scale near =
Lakeveiw, Oregon . One that remains on all the time.  I've used it =
before as I've passed that way.  It only gives #50 increments.  With the
=
van's short wheelbase, I could get the whole deal on at one time.  With
=
a pickup, you have to weigh axle by axle and add the sums.
  Unrelated:   was the fact that by shimming up my van's right rear =
spring, my traction is noticeably better as tested on my way up a =
clay/silt two track to a campsite on this trip.  Pre- adjustment...no =
way..this time, no problem.
  Unrelated #2:  My fridge didn't go out the whole trip despite windy =
conditions all the time.
  Unrelated #3:  Higher tire pressures gave me acceptable directional =
stability this time down US 395..#58psi front and ~#54psi rear, right in
=
keeping with the weight distribution.
  Unrelated #4:  Average MPG was just over 23mpg and the major passes =
could be negotiated at 65mph uphill, with a bit of finesse and some luck
=
with other vehicles as you climbed.  When slowed at the bottom of a =
grade, I could get back to 65-70 mph eventually by backshifting to 4th =
and leaving it there to higher rpms...no tach, and a diesel 5 speed =
manual tranny inline 4 gas motor.
  Don Hanson