[Clev]

Originally Posted by Varn

Clev if you live in california you might have 2o days of winter. Last winter started in with the snow in November and ended in late march. I wish I had 4wd but don't, I would not prefer to lug around the 500 pounds of shafts and gears for the few months that I need them. If I had 4wd I would have used it but didn't, hence chains.

You had snow on the ground for 4 continuous months? I didn't realize that you were in some kind of space warp. And a 2WD Econoline is better in this subarctic winterland than a 4WD S10 that gets almost twice the mileage?

Smart thinking about not wanting to swerve to avoid a potential collision. Statistics have proven that the only way to avoid a collision is to brake. Of course that is not accurate in every case. Statistic show that rain is a big component in deer accidents but every hunting statistic shows that deer don't move in the rain ...What that that prove, neither proves anything. I have a lot of training in maneuvering to avoid.

Dude, let it go. Do I need to repeat the number? FIVE PEOPLE died in ONE YEAR in deer-related crashes. 24 people in a SIX-YEAR SPAN. And too bad all that training in maneuvering to avoid doesn't work in a full-size van.

When I studied physics we were taught that Newton stated that something like A=F/m That means that if you have more mass, you will be subject to less acceleration. Something desirable in an accident. I suppose that it would be better from your perspective if you and I had a collision I would not be in a 5000 pound vehicle but walking. Life is not fair that way.

"ME, ME, ME." Like I said, you'd be a fool not driving a nice Topkick, or maybe get a CDL and go for a Freightliner. There might be a 4WD Econoline out there that weighs 500 pounds more than yours, and then you'd be at a disadvantage again.

You still might get killed by an errant locomotive, I guess. They tend to stay on their tracks, but maybe they've been conspiring with the deer.

I would be open sir if you want to get me a new economy car. Please test it and see if you can haul 5000 pounds minimum.

Yeah, let's load 5,000 pounds in the back of your Econoline and see how far it goes. Maybe that's why it's bottoming out in the ruts.

So, let's summarize.

1. You live in Missouri where, despite the fact that 5 people in an average year die from deer-car collisions, apparently the entire deer population is running out in front of you.

2. You have snow 120 days a year, despite the fact that none of the neighboring states do.

3. You have no problem driving a 5,200 pound van, but think that a 2,800 pound S10 would be ruined by an extra 250 pounds (or, in your mind, 500 pounds) of 4WD gear.

4. You haul 5,000 pounds of stuff, both directions, every day. You never drive the van empty (or with less than 5,000 pounds in it.)

5. Your farms are net-energy positive, even taking into account the fact that you apparently have to haul materials between your farms 5,000 pounds at a time all day, every day. (Not to mention that most crop-based biofuel operations are net-energy negative to begin with.)

6. You want to improve your transportation energy usage, but without parking the 2.5 ton rectangular box, slowing down, hauling less stuff or basically changing anything.

7. Even if you could only drive it 100 days a year, a used sedan would pay for itself in a year or two, but I have to buy it for you and weld a safety cage into it so you won't get killed by a deer and/or Econoline 4WD.

Hmm... May I suggest wheel skirts and pizza pan hubcaps?

Thanks again for explaining the difference between California and Missouri.

Thanks again for explaining the difference between your farm and the rest of Missouri and its neighboring states.