Don is 100% right on steel vs. alloy rims. I have a set of steel rims
waiting for my next tires change.

On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 8:15 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:

>    Another consideration when working on your off road
> suitability....Alloy wheels are more prone to damage than steel ones.
> Alloys will fracture or fail when you hit the rim into a pothole or smoosh
> a huge boulder with a low air tire....Steelies, if they do get damaged off
> road, they can be bent back often times....or at least enough to get the
> bead to seat for the tire, enabling you to keep moving.  I have twice bent
> steel rims in Baja and broken an alloy aftermarket one.   One of the
> steelies I bent, we were almost 60 miles from pavement and there was
> nothing around.   We straightened the rim with a rock and aired it up using
> our bicycle pump, with gasoline and a match to seat the bead....In Baja you
> may sit for days on end until another vehicle comes along...often finding
> an appropriate rim may involve long distances to help....I keep my rims in
> steel now.
>
> On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 7:43 AM, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Yes I do deflate the tires when I do off road - usually I take out 10psi
>> and 15psi on sand - in any case I leave a minimum 20psi. As Dennis
>> mentioned there's a risk of damage to tires specially on the side wall if
>> the road has a lot sharp rocks such as the one from Ubehe Crater to the
>> Race Track in Death Valley. I always carry a 12V air pump, off road or
>> not.
>>
>> On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 7:26 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > Off roaders will air down the tires to improve traction and reduce
>> sinking
>> > on soft dirt, mud, and sand. As the pressure is lowered the contact
>> patch
>> > increases. They will often air down low enough that the sidewalls can
>> also
>> > provide a floatation effect, 12-16psi is common. The down side of this
>> is
>> > an increased chance of rolling the bead off the rim and having a tire
>> > completely air out and hitting any type of sharp object can damage a
>> tire
>> > internally. Note this approach is for low speed operation.
>> >
>> > You didn't say what tire you are using, size or type, If using a regular
>> > passenger tire you reach full capacity at ~35 psi. Above that you are
>> going
>> > for handling or reduced rolling resistance.
>> >
>> > Dennis
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
>> > Of Stan Shapiro
>> > Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2014 10:14 AM
>> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> > Subject: Re: Suspension for Off Roading
>> >
>> > Another question on suspension.   I have a 90 Westy, 16 in wheels,
>> > Michelin tires, and Bilstein shocks from GoWesty.    It is terrible on
>> > washboard roads.     I notice the 4 wheelers let air out of their tires
>> > before going off road.    Does anyone have any experience in letting a
>> > small amount of air out for a washboard road??    If so, how much do you
>> > let out?   Do you carry a 12 volt compressor to refill?
>> >
>> > Thanks
>> > Stan
>> > Idaho
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
>> > Of Chris S.
>> > Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2014 2:58 PM
>> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> > Subject: Re: Suspension for Off Roading
>> >
>> > See Burley Motorsports' custom upper control arms that eliminate the
>> > finicky bushings. Also, for a good off road ride you may consider
>> > progressive long travel springs. I have Schwenk springs on my Syncro and
>> > they are wonderful.
>> >
>> > Chris.
>> >
>> > Wysłane z iPhone'a
>> >
>> > Dnia Nov 15, 2014 o godz. 14:47 Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM>
>> > napisał(a):
>> >
>> > > Hello:
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > I thought about posting this on the Samba but you all seem a bit more
>> > civil… and helpful.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > We are traveling full-time in a 1984 Westy we bought just months
>> before
>> > leaving, and are about to end Month 16. Challenging, yes… and perhaps
>> equal
>> > parts commendable and committable. But we are in for the long haul.
>> > >
>> > > I have had four alignments done in 12K miles. At first I thought the
>> > mechanics weren't torquing the right upper control arm enough, as it
>> keeps
>> > coming loose and knocking toe way out… last time it was over AN INCH
>> out,
>> > and now a few hundred miles later, it's out again and baking our new BFG
>> > ATs. Ugh.
>> > >
>> > > The easiest solution seems to be replacing the control arm bolts, as I
>> > do not think Loctite will solve it in the proper way. But, if the arms
>> need
>> > to come off anyway, and possibly new bushings are needed as well, what
>> are
>> > my options for upgrading the suspension for constant dirt travel? I saw
>> a
>> > gray panel Synchro at Buses by the Bridge in January with Fox shocks
>> and it
>> > looked like a great solution. I am willing to trade highway comfort for
>> off
>> > road softness before parts start flying off at will.
>> > >
>> > > We hope to keep our Bus forever, and though we are short of funds I do
>> > not necessarily want a quick fix. We have to rely on this Thing (Ahem,
>> > sorry, Bus) for a long time and may take it around the globe. So
>> anything I
>> > can do for the long-term good is of prime interest, and getting to
>> remote
>> > places is partly why we live in it.
>> > >
>> > > Also, if you know of anyone in So. Cal. or near Yuma capable of this
>> > work (where we're wintering), I'm all ears. I found a cooperative tire
>> > store owner in Pahrump who owns a few Vanagons, but have yet to ask if
>> such
>> > an upgrade is within his realm.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Thanks in Advance,
>> > >
>> > > Eric
>> > > Eric Wunrow Pictures
>> > > 85 S Union Blvd, #Q123
>> > > Lakewood, CO 80228
>> > >
>> > > 303. 988. 8717
>> > > VW@EricWunrow.com
>> >
>>
>
>