I guess it's time to give the initial report on the Vredesteins I
bought from Bus Deot.  My son thinks thery're awesome (but they
better be for $500!!),  I think they do transform the Vanagon into a
decent winter car, but my wife's Legacy AWD would run circles around
it until the the snow got to be a depth issue with ground
clearance.  I'll give 'em an 85, cuz they're easy to dance to.

I'm able to place 4 locally bought "sand tubes" at 70# apiece; two
can go in front of the engine lid and one each on the sides and still
get engine access.  Kinda screwed with the mattress though.

DM&FS

DM&FSAt 01:49 PM 1/14/2008, John Meeks wrote:

>On Jan 14, 2008 2:14 PM, Brendan Slevin <brendan@bellatazza.com> wrote:
>   How much would I disrupt the balance of things if I loaded up a
> > couple hundred pounds over the drive wheels for better off the line
> > traction?  Besides the obvious slowing effect.
> >
>
>Brendan,
>
>I have 2 60# sandbags, 1 50# salt bag, a heavy chain and a shovel
>sitting on deck over my rear wheels. I notice better traction going up
>hills and even from a stop. Only downside: it's a lot of work to get
>the deck lid open.
>--
>John Meeks
>
>'91 Multivan, '85 GL bits
>Northern Michigan
>KC8ZFN
>
>Vanagon Rescue Squad
>http://www.vanagonauts.com/Vanagon_Rescue_Squad74.htm