Trains have had it for over a hundred years, a sand system. 
I'd imagine steam trains also blasted steam at the rails to melt ice, since
they'd have an abundance of scalding hot steam.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Ben Cichowski
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 1:42 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: automatic chainsRe: Snow chains

Actually, I have seen such a device (sand releasing mechanism) in JC Whitney
just a couple of years back.

Thought it was kind of a funny idea.

-Ben

> Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:31:56 -0800
> From: scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM
> Subject: Re: automatic chainsRe: Snow chains
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> 
> Self installing in flight ??
> Bizarre !
> Not practical for vanagons,
> If you want some exotic traction device activated from the cockpit in
> flight, I'd say make a device that releases sand in front of the rear
tires
> !  
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com 
> 
> just get these - 'Alpine Premier' 
> they are infinitely the best ones I've ever found. Been using them 15
years
> now, maybe 20.  <
>
http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&resnum=0&q=Alpine+Premier+tire+chains+&
> um=1&ie=UTF-8
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Jake de Villiers
> Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 10:13 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: automatic chainsRe: Snow chains
> 
> Did you check the specs?  "Continuous duty 12 volt compressor, 1100 cubic
> inch air tank, 125 lbs for the chains and actuators"
> 
> Buy a set of good WINTER tires and be ready for snow and black ice without
> ever leaving your driver's seat.  Yokohama, Hakkapellitta, Blizzak
> even.........
> 
> On Dec 17, 2007 7:11 AM, Wesley Pegden <wes@cs.uchicago.edu> wrote:
> 
> > Found this:
> > http://www.insta-chain.com/
> >
> > Looks like there's some sort of customized ordering process.
> >
> > Group order anyone?
> >
> > I wonder what a ballpark price on these is.
> >
> > -Wes
> >
> >
> >
> > -------- wrote:
> > > If there is one option that the vanagon  could use it would be
automatic
> > > tire chains.
> > > School busses in my township, (because they rape us for taxes)  have
> > > automatic chains.
> > > I believe they were invented with my tax dollars.   Its a simple thing
> > > that hang under the
> > > bus and when engaged it drops and  spins in front of the tire.
> > > Obviously  on some
> > > type of spring setup.  A Vanagon may not have the room for these, but
> > > maybe food for thought.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Todd Olson wrote:
> > >
> > >> Hi Larry,
> > >> Check these GoClaws out. I just found them online. I also have been
> > >> thinking
> > >> about getting chains for off-roading in my Westy. The GoClaws look
> > >> like they
> > >> would be the perfect solution and an excellent upgrade to the
standard
> > >> chains. It would appear that you can drive these on hard pack snow or
> > >> pavement without rattling your fillings in your teeth loose. There
are
> > >> several videos to watch on the site to gain a better understanding of
> > >> how
> > >> they work.
> > >> http://www.flextrax.com/index.php
> > >>
> > >> Wishing you many miles of smiles!
> > >>
> > >> Todd Olson
> > >> Buses By the Beach
> > >>
> > >> Coming Events:
> > >> Bus BRR! February 9th - 10th 2008 Angola, IN
> > >> Bus Benefit! May 15th - 18th 2008 Grand Rapids, MI
> > >> Bus Boo! September 12th - 14th 2008 Grand Rapids, MI
> > >> For more information go to: www.busesbythebeach.com
> > >> http://www.myspace.com/busesbythebeach
> > >>
> > >> What song is stuck in my head these days?
> > >> Daisy May, "The Shoreline" from "Mother Moon"
> > >> Check her out at: http://www.earthworkmusic.com/daisyMay/
> > >>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > >>
> > >> Date:    Sun, 16 Dec 2007 13:10:15 -0700
> > >> From:    Larry Himli <lhimli@AOL.COM>
> > >> Subject: Snow chains
> > >>
> > >> Past experience with the 87 Westy in snow or sand hasn't been too
> > >> good.=20
> > >> Heading to Telluride over the holidays but don't want to chance
> > >> hitting snow
> > >> without better traction.  Any suggestions for chains, etc.  I've got
> > >> standard 14" tires.  Thanks
> > >>
> > >> Larry
> > >>
> > >> ------------------------------
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> >
> 
> 
> 
> --
> Jake
> 1984 Vanagon GL
> 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
> Crescent Beach, BC
> www.crescentbeachguitar.com
> http://subyjake.googlepages.com/

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