Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

Hello all!

First post and longtime lurker. Have had a 1988 Mitsubishi van for about 2 years now here in California.

I was wondering if anyone has ever driven their vans in the snow? Did you use chains? How did it perform?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

VERY WELL THANK YOU



I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS



Haha... more seriously, you should just get a good set of winter tires for starters, and I've found it does better with another hundred pounds or two in the back. The basically 50/50 weight distribution is very helpful, otherwise it's like any other RWD vehicle.

I've never run chains or studs. However, I've also never tried going over the Rockies during winter; you know that half of the country better than me.

We live in the north, and I drive it year round. In previous years, it had old tires with good tread, but old rubber is hard vs the need for softer rubber to grip well on snow and ice. This year I put new tires on it and the van did OK. Not great. It's an unstable vehicle due to the tall sides and short wheelbase, and has RWD so if its slick out on a snowy freeway you will be first into the ditch all else equal.

However, it is no worse or better than other short and tall rear wheel drive vehicles would be. Not much of an endorsement, I know. But I feel you are looking for an honest answer versus "its the bestest snowy ski mountain vehicle EVER!" which some forums will tell you. Be very cautious when underway, carry appropriate recovery gear and clothing and food and water. I have chains for it but have never put them on since when it snows I have 4 other 4WD vehicles I'd rather take.