Date:         Tue, 10 May 2011 17:57:48 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Lockers -- how hard to install LLSD?
Comments: To: Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <1305071606.17826.189.camel@TheJackUbuntuNetbook>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On Tue, May 10, 2011 at 4:53 PM, Rocket J Squirrel <
camping.elliott@gmail.com> wrote:

> Yeah, well, if I put a winch on the front of the van, I'd get stuck in a
> place where the only tree is behind me.
>
> My main plan to avoid getting stuck any more is to (A) be more
> thoughtful about where I go, and (2) get that Peloquin differential.
>
> If I do get stuck, I will then try to use the hi-lift with a lift-mate
> to hoist up the tires and ram grabby things under them, like carpet or
> porkypines or whatever I can get my mitts on and see if I can get
> rolling. If that fails, then I'll winch the damn thing with the hi-lift.
> That as a lesson for my poor judgment.
>
> Truth be told, only one time of the three I got stuck last year was
> there anything like a tree nearby. The other two times I'd have needed a
> pull-pal or similar, a spendy item.
>
> I'm thinking a deflated blimp packed atop the poptop and small hydrogen
> generator will be my eventual solution.
> --
> Rocky J Squirrel
>
>   You gotta put some weight in your van in snow country.   I use about
300lbs in mine and it makes it go.  You also get better at snow driving
after a while, though in or around Bend, YOU may drive ok, but someone else
will get stuck and block you to a halt, then all bets are off.   Hilly
cities in snow country, not that great.

 I drove 2wd vehicles for ~25 yrs in Wyoming. Rarely chained up...No CHP
stopping you, No 'chain law' there... Weight in the back...that was the
ticket..  Sandbags are good, too, then you can dip some sand out and toss it
in front of the wheels when you do need a little extra go to get going.
  All that being said, Vanagons aren't very good snow or sand vehicles with
a standard driveline.  When my 5sp is due to get rebuilt, I will be adding
an old style clutched Limited slip.  I like the way those handle and they
are cheaper than a Peloquin, I think.

  You should watch me (or ride along) as I negotiate our road after a snow
fall...Pretty exciting!  If I fail, I go get the tractor, I usually make it,
unless our gate is closed...Then I have to  stop to  open the gate. That
means I  go back to the highway and re-negotiate the whole thing...