Stuart
This is a new defensive technique I will have to try. It would have been interesting to try this last year when I was sliding down Main Street in St. Johnsbury during that surprise light snow fall. I know it works on all my racing dirt bikes (Yamaha + Husqvarna) 
Thanks for the suggestion and reminder.
Dennis J

Dennis Jowell
Scotch Hollow Farm
Newbury, Vermont 

> On Nov 2, 2016, at 6:38 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Yes, it's a great solution for all four wheels.  I ran this way here in the
> NW when my '84 was a daily driver with very good results, including in the
> mountains.  
> 
> Steering was great, but you'll need "poor man's positraction"--using the
> parking brake to stop wheel spin when you get stuck or fishtail. Just hold
> the button in and modulate your pull, it works amazingly well.  I've gotten
> out of some serious jams that would have needed a tow without this trick.
> It can be used to your advantage on slow, slippery turns too. 
> 
> Stuart
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Dennis Jowell
> Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2016 3:19 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: 14" tires, report...
> 
> Does it make sense to install 4 studded m&s tires for the winter on my 2wd
> 88' Westy camper? Last winter I slid all over the place with fairly new RO8'
> tires on the Westy. There was only about 1/4 of wet snow on main street St.
> J Vermont. We are still planning our trip to Yorktown Va. After
> thanksgiving. I want to have a safe trip. Any thoughts!
> 
> Dennis J
> 
> Dennis Jowell
> Scotch Hollow Farm
> Newbury, Vermont 
> 
> 
>> On Oct 24, 2016, at 12:49 PM, KIM BRENNAN <kimbrennan@MAC.COM> wrote:
>> 
>> I have used Comtrac and Winter Comtrac tires on my syncros. The summer
> ones wear very well. The winter ones are good as well and quieter than the
> Nokians I have used.
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Oct 24, 2016, at 11:27 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I've just run a few tanks of gas through my tintop 84 5 sp with new 
>>> Vredistein comtrac tires on the rear(2 wd).  These were pointed out 
>>> by
>>> Dennis...195/14 c , a commercial van tire.  They are fine at about 
>>> $100 each from tires easy.com...free delivery.
>>> 
>>> I have to agree with Scott, who's always suggested "c" rears and "d"
>>> fronts...it does make the Vanagon handle well... The 195 size 
>>> measures about 6" more in circumference than the 205-70R 14 Go Form 
>>> brand I took off... approximately 10% higher gearing for my 
>>> van...makes for more shifts on the highway at speed as I "baby" my 
>>> aging ABA Jetta motor by NOT lugging it...55mph is now right at 
>>> 3700rpm in 4th gear...so longer more substantial hwy grades find me 
>>> in 4th more often, while 5th is about 10% lower revving... We'll see 
>>> on fuel consumption, but I'm guessing it will decline a little from my
> past 25~...mpg.
>