improving traction

[Fast but dim]

just bought a 99 transit 120, and have discovered that it has poor grip off road: i't really struggling to pull away on wet grass. As i use it to tow a caravan this is a problem. what are my options? i'm looking at winter tyres, but are there any alternatives, maybe lsd or diff lock?
cheers

[Luke]

Hi FBD welcome to the site!

I have a camper and experiance similar problems on grass, but didnt want to change my tyres cos 99% of my driving was done on normal roads, so i was considering buying a set of snow chains just to use when i get stuck on sites!!

[Fast but dim]

have had the same idea myself, but theyre meant to be hard to fit, and its a lot of hassle to drive 20 yds. im a fireman, and our 4wd merc sprinter runs on conti winter tyres, there just as good on the road as normal tyres, but i dont know how much difference they make off road.when my rears wear out ill give them a try if no one can give me an alternative solution.
the grip on my van is shockingly bad on grass!!!

[MrMPuk]

Your best bet is just to buy yourself a 12volt compressor and when you go off road let the rear tyres down, this will improve traction 10 fold, I know this works because it has got me out of many sticky situations.

[Fast but dim]

cheers: i'll try it, but can you get 12v compressors to inflate to 50 psi?

[MrMPuk]

Yeah I had one.

[sixwheelphil]

I got a little Halfords 12v compressor that puts 100psi in a tank for air horns, that's every time the motor goes out, so 50psi will be no problem.

[madmark]

this is a problem ,when we went away with our caravans last november we all had to push everybody of the grass! this year i will be takeing my mk3 with lsd hopefully it wont get stuck so easy!

[brocky1978]

it will mark , transits just dont seem to have enough weight on the back end , i towed a car transported with an lsd equipped tranny last year , all was fine untill i took the car off the trailer then it was like an ice skating rink!! best idea is to let the tyres down as thats how i got off in the end!

[madmark]

thanks for that mate ,well i will have to take my tyre pump up thingy then !