Date: Tue, 5 Mar 2002 11:28:29 -0500
Reply-To: 80 Westy Pokey <pokey@VANAGON.ORG>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: 80 Westy Pokey <pokey@VANAGON.ORG>
Subject: Re: [vanagon] cross country Vanagon query?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Wil,
There are loads of special organizations to help old VW's
that get stranded far from home:
1) Get AAA, you can even cancel it when you reach your
destination (though I would keep it personally).
2) AIRS (Aircooled Interstate Rescue Squad) - Almost 1000
members worldwide, the organization is dedicated in helping
the VW owner as he/she travels to and from their destination.
Numerous volunteer contacts to aid in your travels. Driveway
camping spots, transportation help, mechanic referal, parts,
spare rooms, or just a place to stop and relax when on the
road.
http://www.type2.com/~airswork/rescue/index.html
3) Transporter Tourist and Travelers directory (TTT) -
Jointly published once a year through LIMBO and NEATO, it is
a volunterer list of members throughout the country who can
offer assistance if you have a problem while your on the
road. It may only be a camping space or a cup of coffee but
its save a lot of people when they are having bus troubles.
http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/
4) The Vanagon List - Anyone who loves Volkswagen vans should
subscribe to this list. It's an endless fountain of wisdom
and knowledge. (http://www.vanagon.com/links/lists.html) To
subscribe to the list send email to:
listserv@gerry.vanagon.com
with the following body:
SUBSCRIBE VANAGON Firstname Lastname
5) Assuming you have a manual tranny, if you are at all
suspect of your battery or your clutch PARK ON A HILL FACING
THE DIRECTION YOU WANT TO GO. In fact it is good practice
regardless. It ain't pretty but you CAN start the van in gear
if your clutch suddenly goes. If you have a hill to help you
may even get away with starting in third (I've done it) so
you can limp somewhere if need be. This is obviously much
easier on interstates than in the city since you would not be
able to negotiate stop and go traffic. It takes lots of
looking ahead and planning to drive this way.
Thanks,
Chris
---- Original message ----
>Date: Mon, 04 Mar 2002 10:47:44 -0400
>From: Wil Haslup <dhaslup@yahoo.com>
>Subject: [vanagon] cross country Vanagon query?
>To: vanagon@yahoogroups.com
>
Hi all,
I've got an '80 Vanagon....not pretty but runs....a little
bit of a
rattle in the front somewhere....recently replaced a couple CV
joints...some problem with spark advance in the distributor I
think
since I can't seem to get much power at high rpm...like in
third and
try to pass or on a hill.
I've sort of pieced this thing together for hauling
purposes. I
haven't driven it much but may have an employment opportunity
cross
country soon.
If I need to relocate it would be the most economical way to
get a
minimal amount of my belongings from coast to coast if I
don't box 'em
up and ship them UPS. I'd just sell the few pieces of
furniture I've
got but there are sensitive things like my computer, stereo,
etc. I'd
want to take.
My question is has anyone taken an older Vanagon from coast
to coast
anticipating at least one repair along the way? Its old, I'm
a
realist...something will probably break on me. It doesn't
loose much
oil and seems to run pretty good. If I let it sit for a
while without
starting it the battery goes flat. It really needs a master
cylinder
before I go.
I'm just wondering if I should risk finding myself on the
side of the
road somewhere in the middle of Arizona far from anywhere or
anyone I
know with a van full of my junk.
Opinions? Options? ....a list of reliable, reasonable
Vanagon repair
places across the U.S.? I'll be traveling from Baltimore, MD
to San
Francisco, CA if this thing happens.
Sincerely,
--
Wil
<tsb>
-- dhaslup@yahoo.com - wil@charmfx.com --
<tsb>
-- http://www.charmfx.com/ - http://www.indieguide.com/
<tsb>
-- You cannot kill time without injuring eternity.
-- Thoreau
<tsb>
