Date:         Mon, 29 Jul 2002 09:47:03 -0500
Reply-To:     Ryan Heidcamp <RHeidcamp01@COMM-WORKS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ryan Heidcamp <RHeidcamp01@COMM-WORKS.COM>
Subject:      Some what of a shake down run and small trip report to Cross Lake
              MN
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Left Friday after work trying to take some of the back roads out of town to
beat the traffic.  Apparently, everyone else who was heading North in
Minnesota thought the same thing.  Eventually, made it to the interstate,
where it was free flowing traffic.  Ran the van 65-70 mph most of the way
there (180 miles or so).  Arrived at Cross Lake about 7:30 p.m. and
proceeded to drive over to the Ideal Fire Hall to meet up with my fellow
Camp Cuyuna staff members of years gone by for the first ever Camp Cuyuna
Boy Scout camp staff reunion.  I hadden been to Cross Lake, since 91.  I
remember a small northern MN town, but I pulled into a fairly large busy
city.  Lots of new business and building has gone on in the last eleven
years.

The van had its red coolant light blinking the entire drive up.  I stopped
in Cross lake to gas up and when restarting the Van the light went out (I
need to figure this out).  Set the van up in some clear cut forest area once
I arrived at camp.  I must tell you that a lot of people, looked a little
jealous as they searched the ground for a level spot and I just simply
pooped the top and folded the seat down.  It rained Friday night, I just
rolled over and thought I wonder if I should close the window in the pop
top, but the rain must have been blowing from another direction as nothing
was getting wet.  Got up Saturday morning, listening to the two guys in a
tent next to me complain about the lumpy ground.  I just smiled and pulled
the blanket up.  Saturday afternoon/evening I noticed the lower front side
of the van still looked wet.  After a closer look, I realized either the
radiator or lower hose has sprung a leak.  Got a little upset about the
thought of this and my newest batch of autobahn being waster, but just
figured.  At least, that will be one more new part once I get it fixed.  The
leak isn't enough to easily ID where it is coming from.  Depending on price,
I might just replace booth front hoses and the radiator.  Back to my thought
if I keep replacing parts, eventually it will be a new van.

Sunday morning woke up early, since I had gone to bed earlier.  Filled the
van with water, had to add about two litters, checked the oil and gave a
quick VW prayer, that it would make it home.  But I had no worries, by time
I got home the temp was up higher then I would like it, but I was home.  The
van ran 65-70 all the way home.

Things I need to figure out/buy/build:
My newest coolant leak

My blinking red light, which I'm starting to think is cursed or smarter then
me

How long my new fridge will run on 12V before the second battery is dead.  I
had prechilled the fridge for about 36 hours, it was cold on Friday morning
when I put it in the van.  Friday at lunch the van was hot inside, learned
that I need open a vent window when the fridge is plugged in.  Friday, when
I left work, I check the fridge and it didn't feel as cold.  I think the
second battery was dead after only 8 hours or so.  By time I got to Cross
Lake and setup, it was colder again.  But by Saturday afternoon, when I dug
out the multimeter and checked the voltage.  It was down to 6 volts.  It
might be nice to some how build a multimeter into the fridge, just an idea.
I also see myself wiring my van for 110 some how for when I camp at
campgrounds.

An information center for the lower bed. Because I don't have the full
westy, I have the lower bed with the cabinet next to it.  When the back seat
is folded up, there is a small space between the seat and cabinet.  I want
to install an eyeglass holder, small digital alarm clock and maybe a
thermometer there.  You wouldn't see the stuff, when the seat is folded up,
but when the seat is down, you would have a vertical night stand.

Levels from an RV place.

Overall it was a good quick trip and great to see the old summer camp.  I'm
fairly happy with the way the van ran and managed to get 19.6 mpg out of it.
Time to start planning the next run, maybe Apostle Islands in Sept.
Hopefully, by then I have the van that much closer to being the way I want.


Ryan
85 Westy Wolfsburg Weekender camper thing
"Tardis"