Club 80-90 Forums

Last season I had difficulty in leaving a campsite due to rain and ground being wet, site was not waterlogged and not to much of a gradient. Eventually managed to leave without being towed but wondering if anybody has any tips on how to improve traction. Is there a particular tyre that is recommened for the rear drive wheels and are they suitable for both campsites and travelling on roads in between. Tks TOny

Wouldn't really bother changing tyres - it's not the grip, it's a combination of small tyres on a rear wheel drive pushing a big heavy van. Just get some of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kampa-Wheel-Gri ... B0076K4DDM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Also good to keep a decent tow rope in the van.

Having camped on grass for many years and sat laughing watching the fat ass front wheel drive Fiat gin palaces trying to get off and also watching fwd cars in snow sliding around as I drive serenely past I can assure you that weight over the rear wheels combined with the torque characteristics of a petrol T25 is FAR betterer.

Ian.

Hammer some nails into the tyres, the spikes help in the grass, they just push in when on tarmac. : Haha!
There is a particular hill which I have to move off on with the wheels almost locked over, next to a police station. I have to avoid it when its wet!!

Get hold of a plastic bread tray, the ones that they deliver bread to shops / supermarkets in. Cut out the base and then cut it into two strips, place one under each drive wheel tyre.

Search for waffle boards on eBay or MaxTrax

Also consider having some winter use all terrain wheels and tyres. 15" steels with Grabber AT 215/75/15s are a straight fit and will get you out of most things. It's what we have on our Syncro. Road tyres are poo in the wet and slippy.

Or you could just let some air out to get better grip. Re inflate when in firmer ground.

As I found out a few weeks ago once you've spun the wheels and filled the tread with mud you are stuffed. Make sure you've got a good long tow rope and get a tractor

Chuck the rug/doormat/dog blanket under the front of the rear wheels. As they turn they'll drag the mat under themselves and gain grip.
Give it a hose down and then a good wash when you get home.
Use 2nd gear to avoid spinning the wheels.

fwd cars in snow sliding around as I drive serenely past I can assure you that weight over the rear wheels combined with the torque characteristics of a petrol T25 is FAR betterer.

Not true I'm afraid. It's pretty much widely accepted that FWD is much better in the snow. There is an advantage with having the engine on top of the drivetrain in a T3 but it doesn't really make much difference. They're rubbish on anything slippy.

Tks to all some usefull ideas there which i will take onboard. Rgds Tony

captain Byrne wrote:

fwd cars in snow sliding around as I drive serenely past I can assure you that weight over the rear wheels combined with the torque characteristics of a petrol T25 is FAR betterer.

Not true I'm afraid. It's pretty much widely accepted that FWD is much better in the snow. There is an advantage with having the engine on top of the drivetrain in a T3 but it doesn't really make much difference. They're rubbish on anything slippy.

I don't know about the technicalities of it but I always found my rear wheel drive T3 Caravelle far superior to the T4 front wheel drive in the snow.

Waiting for the auto choke on the carb to dis-engage drops the revs on the engine so less chance of wheel spin when starting off -'gently does it'- has worked for me in the past !

captain Byrne wrote:Wouldn't really bother changing tyres - it's not the grip, it's a combination of small tyres on a rear wheel drive pushing a big heavy van. Just get some of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kampa-Wheel-Gri ... B0076K4DDM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Also good to keep a decent tow rope in the van.

THose things are next to useless, not where near enough grip on them. I use the bottom of bread crates loads better!