Date:         Mon, 14 Jul 2003 10:19:21 -0700
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@UVIC.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@UVIC.CA>
Subject:      quick trip report
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Back form one week trip to Manning park and Merritt area. Travelled in
tandem with bro-in-law who was driving monster Ford F-350 diesel and 5th
wheel. Quite a contrast to the Westy.


No mechanical probs with Van, still runs strong fully loaded with gear plus
canoe. I get passed on long climbs (like Coquilhalla) but that doesn't
bother me much (*S*).

My prototype aluminium roof rack worked well, easier to get canoe off and on
and it allows the top to be popped. But I need to refine gutter clamps and
also cut down height of rack by inch or so. Will post pics when rack
finished.

As side benefit of the rack is that it provides a great place for tarp
attachment.

Another project completed the morning of departure was my MkIII canoe cart.
Shouldn't have rushed it, while it worked ok it does need some fine-tuning.
The idea of this one was quick assembly, small packed size, rigidity and
simplicity. Again, will post pics when finished.

I have to mention again the usefulness of Pensioner's suggestion of running
some line through the cargo loops in the front luggage section. It makes
lashing or "bungee-ing" of loads much, much easier.


Alistair
--
'82 Westy -> diesel converted to gas in '94
albell@uvic.ca
http://members.shaw.ca/albell