Whatever...........soap opera?

[berettabone]

The word forked is close to what I was thinking.......................................... ..

[berettabone]

An old girlfriend had a van like yours but 2 wheel drive. A comfy ride which wasn't bad to drive, but it was horrible in the winters up nort here. Used to drive it to Illinois to see her parents. I can see how AWD would be a huge plus.

[Bawanna]

Chains and getting stuck on a hill (I live on a big one) are just not an option for me. I don't know why I worry really, been on the hill for 30 years.
If it snows or is bad I just stay home. Work is not worth risking limb and vehicle. The issue is if it goes bad while at work. If I get reports it getting bad I bail and head for home, been real close a few times but always made it so far.

Just nice insurance to have that AWD. I'd prefer one of the aftermarket versions where they take a brand new van and put 4x4 under it but unless I win the lottery, that will never happen.

[wyntrout]

I bought two sets of cable/chains to fit my tires, but may never have to use them. Chains are required sometimes in the mountains, but my van can handle just about anything.

At my son's wedding in the Columbus, OH, area mid-January, I had a chance to play in the snow in a large parking lot and do some skids and recoveries, and some awesome drifting! This was way above and beyond the Winter Storm that got there after we arrived. We left town on the leading edge of the next one... great timing!

We spent the first night in the LARGE Hollywood Casino on the western part of the Loop, so we could arrive early the next morning. We camped out in the van as planned, of course. It cost less than a motel room for our stay... not bad.

[Ken L]

Next time you get up nort' and pick up the mower I'll be interested to hear where they mowed 4 hours worth of grass. I'd have them show me, to see if 1-it exists and 2-if it was similar to what you had to cut. If the mower just idled at the shop, I'd point out to the fella that it's not exactly the same as cutting grass.

[berettabone]

I think what he probably meant was that they ran it for a few hrs. and cut some grass with it. My guess is what Bawanna mentioned. I think it got over heated a bit from the tall grass. I didn't have to pay anything, so I don't think they're trying to pull my grundle. We'll see, it's all I can do. I'm just getting too old to be raising my blood pressure. They do have to come with a trailer and it's 20 miles each way, so in that respect, how can I complain really. Just hoping that this is the last issue with crossed fingers.

[berettabone]

I now drive an all wheel vehicle. They are wonderful in the snow. Should have done it ages ago............................................... .......................

[ltxi]

Got my first 4x4 in 1975. Haven't been without since. Since 1999 wife and I have each had our own personal cars for daily use and the trucks have been joint bad weather, whenever, back-up, recreational, and sometime vacation vehicles. Current is an '08 Avalanche with 51K miles on it since we bought it new in Nov 2007.

[Bawanna]

In my youth I once had 4 4x4 rigs in the driveway. All ran, all ready to go. I went from a 4x4 Chevy S10 to a Chevy van for construction and haven't had one since. If I get a 2014 or so AWD or any 4x4 van it will be for keeps.

[berettabone]

Got back from up nort today....................right before the nasty storms started rolling through. Four days of heat indicies of over 100. Kept me from mowing the lawn, or doing much of anything for that matter. 60 mph winds up nort, 60 mph. winds back home. Heading back up for the holiday. I guess it's supposed to be hot again. I was was hoping for a repreive.......................................... .................................................W ell, I knew it would happen eventually, and it did. The wifey took the dog for a walk down the road. In the distance, she saw the 2 pitt bulls coming out on to the road from their property. She turned around and was hoping that they didn't see her, but they did. This is the distance of approx. 100 yds. She turned around and started heading back home, walking fast, she didn't want to run. Our dog was starting to get agitated because she was sensing what was happening. The pit bulls were running towards her and they pretty much caught up to her before she could get on to our property. Luckily, my neighbor was relaxing on his porch and heard my wife yelling, and he flew down there with his walking stick that he uses for balance issues. Unfortunately, he didn't have the 44 mag. He got them to stop long enough, so wifey could get on to our property, and get her and the dog in the house. Apparently, while my wifey was briefing me, the neighbor went down to the dog owners property. I don't know what was said. Next thing I know, is I have some suv flying up my drive. This short little women gets out, aggressively, and starts walking towards me on the deck. You know how they say that dog owners look like their pets? Look and act. Enough said. I asked what I could do for her. She said she wanted to talk to the wife. My wife would have talked to her, but I didn't think it was a good time. I told her that my wife was upset right now, after being chased up the road by a couple of pit bulls. That's where my bad word generator kicked in. She asked me to stop swearing and I told her to go F herself with a broom handle, and that she wasn't invited there, and if she didn't like it, she could take a long walk off the short pier in to the FU river. Then I said that I see they sent the man in the family to take care of business...…………………….In short, I told her that my wifey was grabbing for the revolver, and her dog's just came within a blink of dying. She became defensive, even though I never heard a defense. She just wanted me to stop swearing, and I explained that we are past that. I told her again that her dog's were going to die. I told her that once her dog's leave the property, they are out of her control. If I don't kill them, the neighbor will. He has young children that don't know any better coming next month. I told her that the neighbors are all done with this. If your dog's die, it's your fault. Keep them on your property, I AM warning you. She said what lousy neighbors and I should call the sheriff. She said she was going to call because the neighbor was swinging a stick at them. I said that I WAS going to call them and we did. To make the story shorter, we filled out reports, and she also got one from the neighbor. The deputy said that she talked to the dog owner and she was defensive, bordering on hostile. She said that she was going to issue them a dog at large citation. This starts the process. After that, they keep going up in jing until eventually after so many, the county steps in and gives you the choice of putting up a fence, or getting rid of the dogs. She also mentioned that she has a friend on the force that has dealt with them. I found out that her friend is also a deputy, and related by family to the new neighbors across the road from the pit bull owners. They have already had dealings with these people. I told the wife that you can tell that the owner still doesn't get it, and to be prepared to do what's needed in the future. I think she may need a few more citations before it sinks in...…………………………..if the dog's are still alive...........................until next time.