"Poor man's Peloquin" would be more appropriate I guess!  Once I was parked
facing steeply downhill right up against the parking block in wet snow.
Dumb move in the first place, but with the parking brake trick I was able to
back out.  Without it nothing but wheel spin.

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Dennis Jowell [mailto:dennisjowell@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, November 04, 2016 4:32 AM
To: Stuart MacMillan
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 14" tires, report...

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.
>