| Author |
Message |
VanWilder
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2009
Posts: 1349
Location: PDX-Weird Town, USA
|
 Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:17 am Post subject: Snow chains on a 2WD just for traction in the dirt? No Snow. |
 |
|
Has anyone ever used Snow Chains for traction in mud or dirt for short run traction? Aside from destroying the chains faster than in snow, what else could happen? Tranny explosion? Rocks flying into the guys windshield following you? More rocks flying like bullets into a crowd of curious on lookers leaving a trail of carnage?
Right at 4,000 pounds, 2WD has issues just on slippery grass alone. I thought perhaps chains would help tremendously. 
And don't say go buy a Syncro.
_________________
VW
________________________
"83.5" Vanagon GL Air cooled "VanWilder"
VanWilder has given back to me more then I could ever put into it September 22, 2010
Malama Ka `Aina—"Respect the Land" |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Jon_slider
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2007
Posts: 5091
Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:22 am Post subject: |
|
|
> 2WD has issues just on slippery grass alone.
dont buy a syncro, but do buy BFG AT Ko tires
I have never tried chains on a 2wd, but I dont see any harm in using them on dirt, on all 4 wheels. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Steelhead
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007
Posts: 1791
Location: Kentfield, CA
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:25 am Post subject: |
|
|
how about putting a Peloquin TBD on your christmas wishlist?
_________________
'77 Bay Window / '89 Caratsburg (aka. the Stormtrooper) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
VanWilder
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2009
Posts: 1349
Location: PDX-Weird Town, USA
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Jon_slider wrote: |
> 2WD has issues just on slippery grass alone.
dont buy a syncro, but do buy BFG AT Ko tires
I have never tried chains on a 2wd, but I dont see any harm in using them on dirt, on all 4 wheels. |
I have brand spanking new General Grabbers 6 ply 27x8.5 14lt and love'em.
I just thought that chains on grass and mud would rock.
Peloquin TBD a bit spendy know? And Christmas is so far away.
_________________
VW
________________________
"83.5" Vanagon GL Air cooled "VanWilder"
VanWilder has given back to me more then I could ever put into it September 22, 2010
Malama Ka `Aina—"Respect the Land" |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hans j
Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2006
Posts: 2714
Location: Salt Lake City UT
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:38 am Post subject: |
|
|
4 wheel chains are highly recommended in southern Utah when it can be muddy. I plan on carrying two sets with me in my syncro when I go don there. I have used them on my 2wd air cooled vanagon years ago in snow and worked great.
_________________
1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jon_slider
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2007
Posts: 5091
Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
if the grabbers already suck on grass, I dont think a TBD would help as much as chains.
get back with your results, and post a picture please
this syncro has grabbers on it, they work great
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
VanWilder
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2009
Posts: 1349
Location: PDX-Weird Town, USA
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Jon_slider wrote: |
if the grabbers already suck on grass, I dont think a TBD would help as much as chains
this syncro has grabbers on it, they work great
[img]https://picasaweb.google.com/sliderjon/SkiSantaFe2008#5186889184487279954
[/img]
get back with your results, and post a picture please |
I just got the Grabbers John, have not even had them on dirt, grass or mud yet. I know they are going to do great without chains but with chains I think they will do even better.
I have just one set of chains not going to get another for the front. This is just for a quick emergency thought to get up a hill on grass or dirt/mud.
_________________
VW
________________________
"83.5" Vanagon GL Air cooled "VanWilder"
VanWilder has given back to me more then I could ever put into it September 22, 2010
Malama Ka `Aina—"Respect the Land" |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
McVanagon
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007
Posts: 1684
Location: Northern part of the Virginia
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 12:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I've seen it before.
I searched for a few minutes, but couldn't find it. This is what I was searching for.
There is a photographer that showed up at one of the West coast Syncro events. He also took photos of a bunch of split-window buses doing some crazy off-roading adventure. Creek crossings, deep mud traverses, and other gnarly mountain trails.
Those splittys used chains to get through some of the nasty stuff.
picture_not_found.jpg
searched_but_no_dice.jpg
maybe_someone_will_post.jpg
-edit-
Richard Kimbrough is his name
Mt Shasta Snow Trip is the place.
_________________
'69 Mike
'85 GL
'87 Wolfsburg Hardtop |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Saguache
Samba Member
Joined: December 28, 2009
Posts: 360
Location: Gunnison, CO
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 1:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Jon_slider wrote: |
> 2WD has issues just on slippery grass alone.
dont buy a syncro, but do buy BFG AT Ko tires
I have never tried chains on a 2wd, but I dont see any harm in using them on dirt, on all 4 wheels. |
215/75R15s on 15" rims t be exact. Chains can help in dirt/mud, but only use real chains. Snow cables won't last long at all.
_________________
Matt Thyer
http://zenoswagen.wordpress.com/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
T3 Pilot
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2011
Posts: 1507
Location: Deep South of the Great White North
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 1:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hey Van,
The chains would help a lot getting in and out of slippery and muddy areas. I used to use them on an old Jeep that had military non directional tires. Remember to keep the chains snugged up and the speed down.
On a side note, I have been considering those General Grabber tires for my ride...... They sound like a good tire to me.
_________________
1988 Vanagon
The most important part in every vehicle is the nut behind the wheel...... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
VanWilder
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2009
Posts: 1349
Location: PDX-Weird Town, USA
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 1:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Syncro Pilot wrote: |
Hey Van,
The chains would help a lot getting in and out of slippery and muddy areas. I used to use them on an old Jeep that had military non directional tires. Remember to keep the chains snugged up and the speed down.
On a side note, I have been considering those General Grabber tires for my ride...... They sound like a good tire to me. |
These tires rock, real fatties with Grand Canyon deep tread. In a 14" LT tires are very hard to come by. 27x8.5 14LT General Grabber
Pictures of my VW's new shoes coming forth-wit! 
_________________
VW
________________________
"83.5" Vanagon GL Air cooled "VanWilder"
VanWilder has given back to me more then I could ever put into it September 22, 2010
Malama Ka `Aina—"Respect the Land" |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hans j
Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2006
Posts: 2714
Location: Salt Lake City UT
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
r.e.wing_fc3s
Samba Member
Joined: April 16, 2010
Posts: 591
Location: Vanagon Capitol USA: Bellingham, WA
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 3:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
in my experience that style of chain does not hold up well off roading in snow or mud. If your just getting around town or across a field cable chains are easier. the olympia sprints from that website might work for mild off roading but the side links arent welded which are commonly the weak points. these are what im getting.
http://pewagchain.com/Products/Snow-chains/4x4-und-SUV/Austro-Super-verstarkt.aspx
ive been trying to find chains that would fit on the front wheels (2wd) for icy grades. there was a new low profile cable chain(SCC z6)i tried but the brake hoses still rubbed.
the tbd works great in some situations not so much in others, but as the only option to increase traction in the automatic i recommend it. if i had a manual i would get a locker first.
_________________
Reference Automotive: NW Washingtons Vanagon Specialist. (360)366-6965. referenceautomotive.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hans j
Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2006
Posts: 2714
Location: Salt Lake City UT
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jackbombay
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2007
Posts: 2723
Location: Eastern Idaho
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 4:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Chains on dirt kick ass.
The diamond ones are way overpriced and offer no advantage over the traditional ladder style chains, they "offer" better lateral grip, but normal chains have very good lateral grip anyway as each piece of chain that crosses the tire has ~12 links pressed into the snow. If you are running out of lateral traction with ladder style chains on you are driving way way way to fast anyway and that is not the fault of the chains.
_________________
Gas struts to pop your top easily!
Pop Top strut kits now available for late Bay window Westies 
Samba ad here.
DIY artificial rain gutters (ARGs) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
davevickery
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005
Posts: 2887
Location: Fort Collins, CO
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jon_slider
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2007
Posts: 5091
Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
VanWilder
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2009
Posts: 1349
Location: PDX-Weird Town, USA
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 6:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I can attest to that style of quick ons. I have a set for my BMW and they are great. However, they are not meant for any type of long distance travel or speeds over say 20 mpg. They are for getting you back to the lodge after a surprise snow fall and you brought the wrong ride.
I have these http://www.spikes-spiders.com/
Spikes Spiders and they are spendy but very effective. I would not suggest using them on anything but snow as we are talking about mud , grass and dirt here and the use of snow chains to get more traction on it.
_________________
VW
________________________
"83.5" Vanagon GL Air cooled "VanWilder"
VanWilder has given back to me more then I could ever put into it September 22, 2010
Malama Ka `Aina—"Respect the Land" |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gauche1968
Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2006
Posts: 1518
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 6:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Chains can contribute to particulate matter in the air and thus numerous respiratory illnesses, etc. Or, so I read somewhere........
_________________
1984 Vanagon GL
1984 Vanagon Westy |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jackbombay
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2007
Posts: 2723
Location: Eastern Idaho
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 7:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Gauche1968 wrote: |
| Chains can contribute to particulate matter in the air and thus numerous respiratory illnesses, etc. Or, so I read somewhere........ |
If you run them on pavement I could see that, but I think we can agree there isn't really any reason to run them on pavement.
_________________
Gas struts to pop your top easily!
Pop Top strut kits now available for late Bay window Westies
Samba ad here.
DIY artificial rain gutters (ARGs) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
