Date:         Mon, 6 Jan 2003 22:01:09 -0800
Reply-To:     JOHN REDDICK <svyolo@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         JOHN REDDICK <svyolo@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Trip Report: Key West to Key West - the long way. (Long)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

     Greetings to all List Members.

     I purchased my '87 Westy a little over three
years ago in Pensacola, FL.  It was in beautiful shape
but had a blown engine (rod thown, 37k).  I had a
rebuilt engine installed at a VW dealer (lousy job)
and off I went.  I drove it all over FL for the next 6
months.
     I took off for the great Pacific Northwest the
following spring, with a little side-trip to Mexico.
That summer, I spent a couple months traveling and
hang gliding in central British Columbia. The
following summer I spent over 3 months traveling up to
Prudhoe Bay, AK.  I would have done Inuvik also, but
destroyed 2 tires (Michelin MXT's) on 1 rock on the
haul road. I replaced the tires with a couple of
inadequate ones from K-mart, as suitable replacements
were completely unavailable in Alaska.  Believe me, I
tried to find some.  I called everywhere in Fairbanks
and Anchorage.  I ended up finding some awesome
Michelin XCA 205/75-14's in Whitehorse, YT.  They were
as big an improvement over the MXT's as the MXT's were
over the junk tires that came with the van.
     I traveled the inside passage this past summer in
a sailboat, sans VW.  Upon my return to Bellingham,
WA, VW and owner headed across Canada taking the
circuitous route back to FL.  It was too late to go to
Newfoundland this fall.  I hope to make it next
summer, perhaps with the NE group that is on the list.
     I have less than 200 miles to go to Key West.
When I get there I will have travelled 60,000 miles in
my trusty Westy.
     I have been a mostly silent reader of the list
archives when I have had internet access.  Between the
list and Ken Wilford at Van-Again, my Westy has
accomplished its' duties without ever once leaving me
stranded.  It has been at 14,000', Death Valley, 70
North latitude, 25 North latitude and innumerable
places in between.   I wish I had time to put together
a web site for all my wonderful pictures, but I have
been having so much fun in my Westy that I haven't had
time to learn how to create one.
     The Westy Vanagon is by far the best travel
vehicle that I have ever seen.  It drives like a BMW,
albeit a very slow one.  The camperization is near
perfect for its' size.  It makes the journey as much
fun as arriving at the destination.  The only drawback
is the reliability issue.  I don't know what they were
like new, but a 15 year old one is definitely not for
the mechanically or electrically challenged. But,with
a little preventative care and TLC, it will definitely
take you as far as you wish to venture.
     The Good:
The vehicle - it is awesome
Vanagon.com list
Ken Wilford at Van-Again
Michelin XCA's
Teutonic Engineering
Westfalia Conversions
Drives awesome
Structurally built like a tank

     The Bad:
VW dealers suck, and they overcharge for it
Revenge of the 3rd Reich systems -
       Electrical - would make Lucas Electronics
proud.
       Fuel - 2 vent overflow tanks?????
       Cooling System - I won't go there.
Tire availability -
       Availibiity of suitable tires is a big issue
for
       adventure travel.  Don't leave home without a
       great set of tires and  a full size spare.

     Things I would do different:
       Buy new tires before heading to Alaska.
       Add sound isulation to floors and doors.
       Maybe an engine conversion? Maybe not.
       Buy engine rebuild from Boston Bob.

      Best Roadside Jury Rig:(Whitehorse, Canada)
       16 dollar submersible bilge pump to replace
       failed (14 years) Westy water tank pump (God
       knows how much one of those cost).

      Things I would recommend to List Members:
        Turn off your computers and take off for the
        horizon in your Vanagon!!!

      Sincerely,
      John Reddick
      '87 Westy

P.S.   I will be headed to Key West sometime in the
next month or so.  If anybody cares to join me for a
beer, I can make my plans more specific.




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