Mac wrote:

Date:    Tue, 21 Jul 1998 08:16:17 -0700
From:    mac stricklen <mac_stricklen@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: vanagon off-road capable?

After seeing many pictures on various websites of syncros in action,
I've become curious about how off-road capable a regular transporter
would be.  They seem to have a fair amount of ground clearance, but I
wondered how they do traction wise.  I realize that I'm not going to
be doing Baja stuff in the van, but I've been wondering just what I
will be able to do with mine when I get it. . .

mac

Greetings:

I would be the first to admit that my 1986 GL will not run with the four
wheelers in all conditions, but it is my experience that the Vanagon is
great in off highway conditions up to a point.  I cruise around on rough
dirt roads in the California and Arizona deserts regularly.  On a number of
occasions I have travelled the same roads on the same trips in several
other makes and I am convinced -- I will take my Vanagon anytime in such
conditions.

I assume its the four wheel independent suspension and well engineered
springing -- on washboarded roads my vanagon is much smoother than my
buddies' 4x4s.  I just hitch up my pants and go like hell, getting the
speed up enough to smooth out the road.  There seems to be an optimal speed
for a given road condition where the springs smooth out the washboarding.
 For me it seems to between 30 and 45 mph.

Compared to a Ford van I rode in recently, the Vanagon is dust tight.  In
dusty going, I turn on the A/C and close all vents.  The interior stays
clean.  In the Ford, you would see fine dust looking like smoke pouring in
around doors and from under the dash.

As others have reported here, sand is a killer.  As a kid I drove pickup
trucks in sandy places.  Some of the same techniques help with a Vanagon.
 You keep moving at a reasonable speed at all costs and make very gentle
turns so the front wheels don't plow.  If a sandy patch ahead looks
questionable, stop before the going gets soft, get out and walk it.  It is
a lot easier to back out than to dig out.

I always drop my tire pressures to 25 lbs all around when I expect to spend
time on rough dirt roads.  I run 8 ply truck tires with 40 lbs in front and
50 in the rear for highway driving.   Though I carry considerable camping
gear, I work to keep the weight down.

In all, you can get to a lot of interesting, out-of-the-way places with a
standard Vanagon -- probably anywhere a two wheel drive pickup truck can
go.

I bought my 85 in January 1991 with only 20,000 miles on the clock.  Today
it shows 204,000.  I use it every day for work and pleasure and I wouldn't
trade it for anything.

Have fun -- Frank LaHorgue  -- lahorgue@ix.netcom.com