biri 0 Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 going to book a mazda bongo van thru toocoo travel for hokkaido travel in january , we will be in the asahikawa / furano / asahidake / sahoro area's . now my questions . 1 - has anyone used this van in past trips ? or similar vehicle [ nissan vanette van ]? 2 - driving in hokkaido winter will be vastly different to oz snowy and n z skifields . we will have snow tyres and i see the vans come with 4wd . are there any real tips on driving besides slowly and breaking a lot earlier ??? 3 - hear asahikawa gets very icy when the street traffic clears the surface snow away ? thanks , all input appreciated . Link to post Share on other sites
ausi ski bum 1 Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Very different to driving on snow in Australia and NZ, the surface has a lot more grip, the dry snow makes it a much safer drive. That said you need to look at the roads as the ice up quickly, once the surface is glazed its much more slippery. The Roads in Hokkaido are much slower than Australia but you still drive far faster than you would expect and be used to when the roads here have snow on them, it takes a little getting used to. You do not have snow chains The biggest things to remember like here is drive to the conditions, when a car passes you put your wippers on before the cloud of snow hits the wind screen Drive with your lights on all the time. Leave a large space between you and the car in front Brake with caution using the gears and brakes combined to slow. Take care. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Is bongo really the name?!? Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 yeah, it's a crappy van to go with the name. Link to post Share on other sites
ausi ski bum 1 Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 I thought Bongo Vans died out years ago Link to post Share on other sites
biri 0 Posted August 31, 2009 Author Share Posted August 31, 2009 Originally Posted By: biri island going to book a mazda bongo van thru toocoo travel for hokkaido travel in january , we will be in the asahikawa / furano / asahidake / sahoro area's . now my questions . 1 - has anyone used this van in past trips ? or similar vehicle [ nissan vanette van ]? 2 - driving in hokkaido winter will be vastly different to oz snowy and n z skifields . we will have snow tyres and i see the vans come with 4wd . are there any real tips on driving besides slowly and breaking a lot earlier ??? 3 - hear asahikawa gets very icy when the street traffic clears the surface snow away ? thanks , all input appreciated . Originally Posted By: ausi ski bum Very different to driving on snow in Australia and NZ, the surface has a lot more grip, the dry snow makes it a much safer drive. That said you need to look at the roads as the ice up quickly, once the surface is glazed its much more slippery. The Roads in Hokkaido are much slower than Australia but you still drive far faster than you would expect and be used to when the roads here have snow on them, it takes a little getting used to. You do not have snow chains The biggest things to remember like here is drive to the conditions, when a car passes you put your wippers on before the cloud of snow hits the wind screen Drive with your lights on all the time. Leave a large space between you and the car in front Brake with caution using the gears and brakes combined to slow. Take care. Originally Posted By: ausi ski bum Very different to driving on snow in Australia and NZ, the surface has a lot more grip, the dry snow makes it a much safer drive. That said you need to look at the roads as the ice up quickly, once the surface is glazed its much more slippery. The Roads in Hokkaido are much slower than Australia but you still drive far faster than you would expect and be used to when the roads here have snow on them, it takes a little getting used to. You do not have snow chains The biggest things to remember like here is drive to the conditions, when a car passes you put your wippers on before the cloud of snow hits the wind screen Drive with your lights on all the time. Leave a large space between you and the car in front Brake with caution using the gears and brakes combined to slow. Take care. Link to post Share on other sites
biri 0 Posted August 31, 2009 Author Share Posted August 31, 2009 dont know what happened there but i did something wrong in my reply ????????? thanks ausi for the driving tips . yeah the bongo has been around for quite awhile , in oz its sold as the ford econovan i think ? in japan mazda sell a bigger version called the brawny bongo as well . seen a few around kitanomine outside the lodges . Link to post Share on other sites
biri 0 Posted August 31, 2009 Author Share Posted August 31, 2009 hope toocoo are not renting out that pictured bongo , is'nt there a use by date on japanese vehicles ? Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 I used to drive a Bongo Van - it was my first van when I was pregnant with the 3rd child. Traded it in after 2 years for a Chrysler Voyager and never looked back but it was a decent reliable people mover. Mine did not look like the one in the picture though! Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Originally Posted By: ausi ski bum I thought Bongo Vans died out years ago Better looking than the present day model. Now here's a van Link to post Share on other sites
big-will 7 Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Scooby vans! Link to post Share on other sites
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