Per Lindgren wrote:
>
> "David..M" wrote:
>
> > Michael Sullivan wrote:
> > >
> > > NOTE: you are right: the Eurovan is not designed for off-road use --
> > >
> > Neither is the Vanagon - according to VW (read your instruction booklet)
>
> To prove you wring, the section below is translated from the Norwegian
> owners manual for the 1988 model year, it is the part about off road
> driving:
>
> >>>>>>>>>
>
> Off road driving
> Before you make your first trip into heavy terrain, we recommend you to get
> to know the car on road and in light terrain. For safe driving off road, it
> is important to know this:
> * Always use the safety belts - also during off road driving
> * The right choice of gear saves the engine, and helps you not getting stuck
>
> * Do not ride the clutch! Excessive wear can be avoided by down shifting in
> time
> * The more uneven terrain, the less speed is necessary. Remember the ground
> clearance!
> * Do not encounter slopes or uneven terrain with too high speed, that would
> make the car jump. It is easy to lose control. (It isn't fun to jump in a
> Vanagon. Btdt!)
> * Use the same gear down steep slopes as you would up the same slope
> * Slopes etc. must be encountered straight up or down, otherwise there is
> the danger of tipping over!
> * If it is impossible to encounter a slope straight, and you feel close to
> tipping, steer towards the fall of the slope.
> * When crossing a stream, driving on a beach etc., you must always check the
> water level. DO NOT EXCEED THE MAXIMUM WATER DEPTH!
> * After driving in water or mud, do as follows:
>  - disengage the diff locks
>  - clean the engine and the undercarriage
>  - clean the wheels and tires for dirt and bigger particles. Also inspect
> the tires for any damage
>  - clean dirty lights
>  - heat the brake system over a short period by pressing the pedal lightly
> with your left foot before entering traffic
>  - after crossing deep water, check your oil level for any water pearls in
> the oil, and if so change oil immediately
> * If the vehicle has been in heavy terrain, and in contact in any kind, one
> must check the undercarriage, engine, tranny and brakes for any damage.
>
> Note: To protect the undercarriage from damage, skid plates has been mounted
> under both the front differential, as well as under the engine/gearbox. The
> drive shaft is protected by parallel rails
>
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>
> If you bothered to read all this, you would see that there is NOTHING that
> says you cannot take your Van off road, in fact the manual instead gives you
> tips to make the off road driving as fun as possible.
>
> One other thing, M. Sullivan wrote:
> >NOTE: you are right: the Eurovan is not designed for off-road use
>
> You have probably never seen what a Eurovan can do in terrain. When I was in
> the Army, a friend of mine took the Armys 2WD Eurovan 2,4D places I wouldn't
> take the Land Rover! This was the swb Eurovan, but still..... I was truly
> amazed! BTW, this guy even managed to put the tail end wide on dry asphalt
> in a lwb Eurovan 2,4D, without employing the hand brake! Crazy soldiers.....
>
>
Taken directly from the USA 1987 VW Vanagon Owners manual page 65:

"While it has proved its ability to handle poor weather conditions and
has limited off-road capabilities, remember your Vanagon/Transporter is
not an off-road or all-terrain vehicle"

This 'warning' is repeated several times in the manual.