Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 22:13:51 -0800
Reply-To: Sharon Falvey <snow@INCONNECT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Sharon Falvey <snow@INCONNECT.COM>
Subject: Re: asking for travel tips
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Thanks
- I thought about the wind resistance -want to minimize that
- I have the plastic storage. The cocktail table is a nice addition.
- Like the idea about the shoe bag storage.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Cain <jcain@MINDSPRING.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Sunday, March 26, 2000 3:48 PM
Subject: Re: asking for travel tips
>>What types of toppers are people really happy with that work great
>>with the VW for extra storage?
>
>I used a cheapie from Sears a long while back on my old '71 on a trip
>throughout the West. It held a lot, but was such a wind resistor
>that I wish I hadn't added it. Did not use all the stuff I carried
>anyway. If doing it now, I wouldn't add anything on top. Downsize
>and do without or buy it when you need it.
>
>I have been toying with the idea of making a lid for the luggage rack
>for seldom used things. If I made it flush with the top, it would
>not offer any wind resistance. Anyone tried that one? The only
>thing that I have carried up there so far is fire wood.
>
>>What are the minimum necessities a person should have in the Tool Box?
>
>Every one has his/her own ideas on that. My favorites besides the
>usual wrenches are string/rope, a foldable shovel and a pruning saw.
>The pruning saw works much better than a hatchet for cutting firewood.
>
>>Other helpful hints for storage?
>
>We use two plastic bins that we got at Target for things that we take
>out every stop, e.g. food and eating things. They double as side
>tables to our camping chairs if we don't have a regular campsite.
>When we pull into a campsite, we put them on the picnic table and
>every thing is right there, no running back and forth to get
>something. I put them on the floor behind the seats when traveling
>and secure them with bungee cords. One couple that we met had
>removed the upper bed and built some plywood trays to fit in the
>space on top. Be sure to secure them from sliding out with a sudden
>stop. He said he was speaking from experience. :-) I also made a
>hanging thing, kinda' like a shoe bag, for frequently used items, and
>hang it from the back of the passenger seat. Easy to get to from
>outside. Handy, but presents a problem when rotating the seat to
>face the rear, though. I may rethink that one, since it was a
>leftover from my '71.
>
>> It looks like adding the extra battery will be a necessity- Thanks
>>for the recent battery discussions.
>
>Unless you intend to stay in one camping spot for a long (week or so)
>time with out electricity, I think the extra battery is not needed.
>I use the space as my tool box. I have my tools in canvas or plastic
>wraps and can get my entire mechanics tools in there (I am an amateur
>mechanic). It secures them from bouncing/sliding around on curvy
>roads. I use a battery powered lantern that works better than the
>mounted light and LP for the fridge. Only pull on the battery is the
>radio occasionally (very occasionally, I like the natural sounds when
>camping) and the fridge fan if it is extremely hot, as in South Texas.
>
>Good luck on your trip and keep us posted.
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