Do you Need 4WD For Winter VanLife?

[@Paul-s4i]

Beauty about camping. You go to bed early and get up early and make the most of the day!

[@grahames9228]

Living where I do in Australia, tyre chains are unheard of.

[@Sebastianstonum]

Hahahah over here, kangaroos and koala’s are unheard of

[@jbrat1967]

Enjoying the one per day. Ty

[@Archivalindex]

I got stuck on an iced over mountain switchback by a frozen waterfall in early spring. My snow chains were conveniently located somewhere else in storage. I had to dig myself a path out of the ice with a small poop shovel. Good times.

[@Sebastianstonum]

Nooo not the poop shovel!!!😂😂

[@Globetrotter-1]

I'm glad that I have a 4WD. It has helped me out of some tricky situations a number of times during severe weather storms, especially while sleeping high up in wild mountain locations.

[@S.JerseyJim]

I remember driving my Dad’s VW Bug in the Jersey snow way back in ‘77. I was 17 and it was a blast. Love the videos!

[@josephpiskac2781]

Yout lectures are great. Another fun day in the snow.

[@SharonBlair-p2d]

Another great video...

[@MaxamArchitecture]

Looking forward to the Vanagon build out. 👀

[@Sebastianstonum]

I can’t wait to bring my ideas to life!!

[@bah5310]

I feel like you could get a job as a cabana boy in warm weather and make more money. I had to turn on my heater blanket just watching your video.

[@knoxsyncro2988]

Thanks for putting forth the effort of daily videos, I get tired just watching them. I daily a Syncro, but never really need the features because I live in moderate weather Tennessee.

[@TIMWHY2]

Having lived my entire life in Northern New England, I have never seen anyone running chains and we get a lot of snow. Did have studded At2's on my Tintop and that did alright in snow. My quattro I have all season year round and that thing is like 6" off the ground and have yet to get stuck. BTW Cameron sounds like I envision Elvis would, especially in the dark at hot spring, lol. Hang in there!

[@TheJoedonbakerfan]

In the West, you only get large accumulations of snow at high elevations, and the roads often aren’t plowed or maintained. If you live where there are plows and infrastructure, you’ll probably never use chains.

[@DellaSanchez-c2o]

Dang, I hear you living at my studio parking lot in my van. Some nights are real cold.

[@gumbynomad]

Loved this! Definitely agree with testing gear before you need it. Can’t wait to see the build out next summer!

[@Vangriff]

Liking the daily videos and the westy, got a 81

[@oldmillrd1506]

Had a 81 tin top 2nd for six years in the northwest with studded winter tires. Rarely need chains except when mountain pass required them. Then I got an 87 syncro and never needed chains. Had that van for ten years. It would go anywhere. Hands down best winter vehicle I ever owned.

[@drewpknutz1410]

Totally off topic, but yesterday I was driving over Snoqualmie Pass here in Wa State.. There was a little snow, and the signs said "Chain up or pay up..$500 fine" for semi- trucks. The pavement was mostly bare so obviously most truckers pushed on through.. lol.. There was a SWARM of Highway Patrol ticketing Truck drivers $500 for not chaining up on bare pavement.. Totally a CASH GRAB.. Im not even a truck driver and was infuriated.. Carry on.. lol

[@kp5778]

I use vrederstein all-weather tires on my 1991 Westy and have had great results in the snow. Might also help that I have a Peloquin LSD too. While living in Estes Park Colorado for over 40 years I've only had to use tire socks twice. They work wonderfully and don't beat up your tires like tire chains will. Can't believe more van owners don't use tire socks!

[@fg-pv5ht]

All weather tyres would be ideal for you no tyre changes needed Michelin Crossed Climate 2 are a good choice

[@jesusdenver8211]

I'm grateful my delica van is 4wd. Gone are those days of tent camping with SUV or truck camping. Times like these I can just chill in comfort of being inside and no need to get out the vehicle to start the car. Can just do it right there

[@Barplinc1963]

I like your van.. Because you have everything inside.. After all you can fix it anyway.. If anything could happen.. Rather than any van.. And it's cute.. And organize..

[@crockett5]

I have half a syncro van, (put a syncro trans in a 2wd van and never finished the front) I lived in the van in Colorado for 3 years as well as 1 year in a regular 2wd Westy. A 2wd Westy will do quite well in snow. Only time I got suck in snow was because I got iced in on the side of the street overnight. Had to use a hammer to bust the ice to get out. (I still drove it out on its own) On both vans I used Hankook AT tires

[@sherribennington8812]

Love me a breakfast burrito with hot picante sauce!

[@kathryntokarska1738]

yes, the answer is yes and that is what I am saving up for

[@our_roadtrip]

I recently was in the Arctic with my Mercedes Vario 4x4 van. With huge MPT tires from an Unimog. And to be honest, it was not fun. Any 2WD with studded winter tires ran circles around us, while we were sliding along on icy roads. Get a bag with sand and Corundum for emergencies! Also snow chains...

[@Sebastianstonum]

I love the vario’s!! But just like any vehicle, the more you modify them the worse they drive😂 I saw regular cars and SUV’s on my Arctic trip and could imagine how comfortable it wouldve been if I drove a Honda civic the whole time. Cruise control, ac/heat. It would’ve been nice!!

[@our_roadtrip]

@@Sebastianstonum Haha... True! Ive recently found out about the existence of heated steering wheels. 😅😂 Anyway, at least in Norway/Sweden/Finland a 4x4 was not necessary at all...

[@kathryntokarska1738]

that "little hill" of which you speak prevented me from enjoy free hot springs all last year, I would not take my 10lbs of rear wheel drive down there by myself

[@rhoneyfi]

Digging this channel! Makes me want to get a diesel Westy to take last minute adventures (armed with my little bit of VW knowhow from my Beetle days)! If you could do it all again, would you go for a diesel or gas engine? Spare parts hard to come by?

[@philguzman6932]

I have a 4x4 and 2 sets of Z cables(cuz they're super easy to install)

[@Sebastianstonum]

Unstoppable machine at that point!!

[@shaunmccaw2911]

Just shows you how good chains really are well done go the 2wd 👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Rcteo1212]

Snow tires do a world of difference. Definitely air them down too

[@TheJoedonbakerfan]

You can winter camp without 4WD, I did it while nomading in a tent and Toyota Tacoma. You’ll have to be handy with a shovel, and you’ll have to park no further from the main road than you’re comfortable shoveling.

[@HunterKautzer]

Amazing video I think you need a 4WD for the winter for exploring.

[@Sebastianstonum]

@@HunterKautzer imagine the snow wheelin adventure possibilities!

[@HunterKautzer]

@ there would be a lot of snow wheelin adventure possibilities.

[@mtdnelson]

If I ever have to fill up a vehicle in the US... I'm going to be so confused by the colours for gas and diesel... after 25 years of driving in the UK, where black is diesel, and green is petrol!

[@jeffreyd3352]

d.o.g. 🙌

[@Sebastianstonum]

D.O.G is the G.O.A.T. I need more excuses to not drive into town right now just for a burrito

[@shaneyoung1690]

Nice

[@kristianoleme]

Eek! Turning the diesel off to fill up! Let that baby runnnnn!

[@Smokeybeesnatural]

With a set of good tires, gearing, and a bit of practice, there's not a lot thatva 2WD can do as good as a 4WD

[@gregburgin7098]

You could add an electric fuel pump and not bleed.

[@TBGaels32]

Honestly, I’m the guy that would much rather have a 4x4 and not need it, then not have it and need it. Regardless if you have a Syncro or not, 4x4 is better than not you just need to air down for better floatation even in 2 Wheel drive. 4x4 shouldn’t be confused with AWD as they are completely different. It’s unfortunate how bad the market has gotten in the vanagon market including the Syncros are almost unaffordable

[@Sebastianstonum]

I completely agree! A stock 4x4 van or even f150 could run laps around my 2wd with chains on no matter how capable I make it. Maybe one day I’ll pick up a rusty tin top syncro or two or three

[@Archivalindex]

Do you have a Peloquin Differential installed?

[@tprollins]

A like for the PSA

[@rrtds9378]

Subaru, 4-runner, jeep, nah Vanagon Westies and VW buses are much cooler ☮️✌️

[@Sebastianstonum]

I’ve been making bad decisions my whole life and I’m completely okay with it😂 vanagons for life!!

[@jakekuick]

what size tires/ what chains are you using? I'm getting ready to take my 2wd Adventurewagon out to Utah and need to get some chains for it. I really wanna do a 4wd swap in it for the peace of mind TBH. Loving all the videos!

[@jakekuick]

NVM... just got to the end of the video where you tell us haha

[@miguelangelcifuentesavenda7197]

Too much bla bla!! 😮

[@coverlandadventures]

I'm grateful my delica van is 4wd. Gone are those days of tent camping with SUV or truck camping. Times like these I can just chill in comfort of being inside and no need to get out the vehicle to start the car. Can just do it right there

[@Sebastianstonum]

Vanlife compared to rtt life is a game changer! A full shelter on wheels!

[@coverlandadventures]

@@Sebastianstonum definitely!