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<blockquote data-quote="Per SÃ¸vik" data-source="post: 74227" data-attributes="member: 1285">Re: Winter question for cargo van ownersAs Helge said, there is no substitute for studs, but only on ice. Studs are illegal in most countries in Europe, might be so in some or all US states as well.Modern (nordic) winter tires, if you only use them in the winter and don&#039;t destroy them by driving fast on a warm day, can make a big difference, but on a car that suffers from bad traction, even good tires can sometimes let you down. Your typical rear wheel drive cargo van is built to carry load, so an empty van is not going to be particularly well balanced in terms of weight, and 500-1000 lbs. of weight over the axle makes sense if it is secured. It is not going to work magic, but can help to get a fairly normal weight distribution.My van is a Peugeot with front wheel drive, so in the winter I try to keep it reasonably light in the back. As for 4wd, it makes a difference that you just won&#039;t believe if you don&#039;t experience it. My father&#039;s Subaru could do things I could hardly believe, and my MB 4-matic estate is sooo much better than my MB rwd estate in the winter. It isn&#039;t just going up hills, but it is the average speed I can keep so much easier.About towing in the winter; pack as much as you can in the truck and keep the trailer light. Have a set of chains for the trailer when it gets icy, jack-knifing is no fun at all.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Per SÃ¸vik, post: 74227, member: 1285"] Re: Winter question for cargo van owners As Helge said, there is no substitute for studs, but only on ice. Studs are illegal in most countries in Europe, might be so in some or all US states as well. Modern (nordic) winter tires, if you only use them in the winter and don't destroy them by driving fast on a warm day, can make a big difference, but on a car that suffers from bad traction, even good tires can sometimes let you down. Your typical rear wheel drive cargo van is built to carry load, so an empty van is not going to be particularly well balanced in terms of weight, and 500-1000 lbs. of weight over the axle makes sense if it is secured. It is not going to work magic, but can help to get a fairly normal weight distribution. My van is a Peugeot with front wheel drive, so in the winter I try to keep it reasonably light in the back. As for 4wd, it makes a difference that you just won't believe if you don't experience it. My father's Subaru could do things I could hardly believe, and my MB 4-matic estate is sooo much better than my MB rwd estate in the winter. It isn't just going up hills, but it is the average speed I can keep so much easier. About towing in the winter; pack as much as you can in the truck and keep the trailer light. Have a set of chains for the trailer when it gets icy, jack-knifing is no fun at all. [/QUOTE]

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