I also have Nokian WRG's 215/60/16 and got quite a bit of experience with
them on snow and ice this past 2 weeks in Montana. They were really good on
hard ice and moderately deep snow (4" or so). However in deeper wet snow (>
6") I encountered some problems. There were several times when enough snow
was pushed in front of the tires that the van could not climb over and got
stuck. I had to dig out in front of the tires to get moving again. Locking
diff and granny low did not help. I did not try airing down the tires. Got
stuck going uphill as well as downhill (driveway). The weather situation
was 10" or so of powder, that developed a wind-slab crust, then got wet and
consolidated when temperature went above freezing for a while. Glad I had a
shovel!

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipO-IyI4DPWtobAfb2gBFtf8gQecpfyysg9gydlG
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNOl3uAVHihRA5Lov8irvNYL6iOYapH7_-lY2PD

-Mark

On Mon, Jan 1, 2018 at 9:39 PM, Stephen Edwards <chibicyclist@gmail.com>
wrote:

> Thank you Dennis and David.
>
> What are the other options exactly? I didn’t know there was more than one!
>
> As to the tires, I have new 15” wheels from Van-Cafe with Nokian WRG’s,
> which right now are doing quite well in the Chicago snow (we’re getting hit
> with sub zero temps, and I mean sub zero Fahrenheit - brrrrrr). I don’t
> really want to go any knobbier if I can help it.
>
> Steve.
>
> > David Boan wrote:
>
> > I had my transaxle rebuilt a few years ago at German Transaxle, and did
> the "super-differential" upgrade.  I dont tow anything, but notice improved
> traction when climbing on steep forest service roads, and on snow and ice.
> I dont have any hard numbers, just my impression.
>
>
> > On Jan 1, 2018, at 11:07 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > If willing to go for that kind of coin you may want to look at one of
> the other limited slip differential options. That would offer something
> more useful than just locking the rear at low speeds and extreme
> conditions. I would also ask what you are using for tires? Without traction
> sufficient for the task you could just end up with 2 tires spinning sinking
> you into the sand even faster. The Syncro lockers are robust but they do
> take a little tricking to get them locked when needed. Engage at low speed
> while swerving gently side to side to get the fingers to line up and slide
> in before you get stuck. Some side to side is sometimes needed to get them
> to unlock.
> >
> > Dennis
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Stephen Edwards
> > Sent: Monday, January 1, 2018 11:38 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Locking differential
> >
> > Vanagon list:
> >
> > What’s the verdict on lockers? I have an 88 GL with a Subie installed
> and occasionally need to pull a boat out of the water. The place where I go
> has a sandy beach and the rear wheels get stuck every time. I need a
> rebuilt tranny anyway, but I’m told that adding a locking diff will add
> $1500 to the cost. Is it worth it? And aside from the cost - are there any
> other downsides to having one?
> >
> > Steve, in Chicago.
>