Gravel vs. Paved

On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 09:22:57 +0000, Arif Khokar wrote:

> On gravel roads, I would be worried about the damage that the rocks may do
> to the windshield, panels, or headlamps if they're thrown up by another
> vehicle.

Other vehicles are rare. This is a VERY rural area.

"Bob Lutz" wrote:
> On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 06:38:40 -0800, fbloogyudsr wrote:
>
> > Gravel roads may be less stressful due to lower traffic; a good thing,
> > IMHO.
>
> Exactly why I'm asking this. The 'highway' option means about 20 miles of
> 2-lane US and state highway, with an at-grade intersection every mile or
> so. They are also heavily used by farm and slow vehicles, so its hard to
> get anywhere near the 65mph posted limit at times, and passing opportunity
> is rare [at least for an underpowered Toyota van].
>
> The back roads, OTOH, rarely have traffic at all, especially during the
> commute home at 1am.
>
Depending on the age and reliability of your vehicle and the availability of cell service on the
gravel roads, you might want to stick to the paved roads at times when traffic is sparse.

"Bob Lutz" wrote:
> On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 06:38:40 -0800, fbloogyudsr wrote:
>
> > Gravel roads may be less stressful due to lower traffic; a good thing,
> > IMHO.
>
> Exactly why I'm asking this. The 'highway' option means about 20 miles of
> 2-lane US and state highway, with an at-grade intersection every mile or
> so. They are also heavily used by farm and slow vehicles, so its hard to
> get anywhere near the 65mph posted limit at times, and passing opportunity
> is rare [at least for an underpowered Toyota van].
>
> The back roads, OTOH, rarely have traffic at all, especially during the
> commute home at 1am.
>
Depending on the age and reliability of your vehicle and the availability of cell service on the
gravel roads, you might want to stick to the paved roads at times when traffic is sparse.

>On gravel roads, I would be worried about the damage that the rocks may
>do to the windshield, panels, or headlamps if they're thrown up by
>another vehicle.

You'll also need to check frequently for nicks in the paint on the underside of
the side rails. This easily leads to rust. I had that problem with a car that
spent a lot of time on gravel parking lots.


http://www.madmousergraphics.com
web design, print design, photography

>On gravel roads, I would be worried about the damage that the rocks may
>do to the windshield, panels, or headlamps if they're thrown up by
>another vehicle.

You'll also need to check frequently for nicks in the paint on the underside of
the side rails. This easily leads to rust. I had that problem with a car that
spent a lot of time on gravel parking lots.


http://www.madmousergraphics.com
web design, print design, photography

In article <pan.2004.12.14.08.33.57.434090@blutz>,
says...
>
>
>I have roughly a 20 mile commute to work. I can take mostly paved roads
>and highways, or I can take a set of well-maintained gravel roads. Is one
>way better or easier on the car than the other? The gravel roads are not
>much bumpier than the highways.

Paved roads. Gravel roads will be dustier, which means more crap getting into
your engine. Also, some of that gravel is going to get kicked up and chip
your paint.
--------------
Alex

In article <pan.2004.12.14.08.33.57.434090@blutz>,
says...
>
>
>I have roughly a 20 mile commute to work. I can take mostly paved roads
>and highways, or I can take a set of well-maintained gravel roads. Is one
>way better or easier on the car than the other? The gravel roads are not
>much bumpier than the highways.

Paved roads. Gravel roads will be dustier, which means more crap getting into
your engine. Also, some of that gravel is going to get kicked up and chip
your paint.
--------------
Alex

"Bob Lutz" > wrote in message
newsan.2004.12.14.17.18.06.843550@blutz...
> On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 06:38:40 -0800, fbloogyudsr wrote:
>
> > Gravel roads may be less stressful due to lower traffic; a good thing,
> > IMHO.
>
> Exactly why I'm asking this. The 'highway' option means about 20 miles of
> 2-lane US and state highway, with an at-grade intersection every mile or
> so. They are also heavily used by farm and slow vehicles, so its hard to
> get anywhere near the 65mph posted limit at times, and passing opportunity
> is rare [at least for an underpowered toyota van].
>
> The back roads, OTOH, rarely have traffic at all, especially during the
> commute home at 1am.

Is there really that much farm equipment on the paved roads at 1AM?

"Bob Lutz" > wrote in message
newsan.2004.12.14.17.18.06.843550@blutz...
> On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 06:38:40 -0800, fbloogyudsr wrote:
>
> > Gravel roads may be less stressful due to lower traffic; a good thing,
> > IMHO.
>
> Exactly why I'm asking this. The 'highway' option means about 20 miles of
> 2-lane US and state highway, with an at-grade intersection every mile or
> so. They are also heavily used by farm and slow vehicles, so its hard to
> get anywhere near the 65mph posted limit at times, and passing opportunity
> is rare [at least for an underpowered toyota van].
>
> The back roads, OTOH, rarely have traffic at all, especially during the
> commute home at 1am.

Is there really that much farm equipment on the paved roads at 1AM?

Dave Head wrote:
>
> On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 09:22:57 GMT, Arif Khokar > wrote:
>
> >Bob Lutz wrote:
> >
> >> I have roughly a 20 mile commute to work. I can take mostly paved roads
> >> and highways, or I can take a set of well-maintained gravel roads. Is one
> >> way better or easier on the car than the other? The gravel roads are not
> >> much bumpier than the highways.
> >
> >On gravel roads, I would be worried about the damage that the rocks may
> >do to the windshield, panels, or headlamps if they're thrown up by
> >another vehicle.
>
> You have that problem, plus the car is going to be a real mess. The dust will
> be everywhere - clean out under the hood with the wand wash often.

Change the air cleaner and oil more frequently too.

> Also, if you have antilock brakes, you practically don't have any brakes on
> gravel. Stopping distances can double. These things don't work for squat on
> gravel.

--
Cheers,
Bev
-------------------------------------------------------------
"We've got some stupid people out there. This morning, I woke
up in a bathtub filled with ice and I had an extra kidney."