Date:         Tue, 9 Mar 2004 17:04:53 -0500
Reply-To:     Tolga Morawski <tolga@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tolga Morawski <tolga@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Re: coolant hoses (Cost, is the only issue)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

  In my 10 years as a Vanagon owner with many a trip stranded somewhere I
have to say trying to bring along spares is pretty pointless.  As someone
else pointed out if you know something is going replace it before you
leave.  I've taken spares on past trips and whether bad luck or chance it
always seems to be something else that goes bad.
  I was stranded once in the middle of Maine (coming from near Albany,
NY) with a blown coolant hose and it did suck.  That's why rather than
have thousands of dollars in spares around (dry rotting-hoses or
rusting-exhaust pipes) in your vehicle or garage, invest in AAA+
(100miles free towing and $2 mile after) and a car insurance with a
breakdown rental provision.  In a perfect world our vans would never do
this to us but it happens.
  I was a spare man for a long time but in about 50% of the time the
elements would damage my spares quicker than I could use them....that's
more due to my humid Northeastern locale but now I buy what I need when I
need it.  If we're working on our own vehicles as it seems most of us
are, spend more time diagnosing what what go wrong.  Everyone doesn't
*need* to replace all their coolant lines because somebody had one blow
or to redo all the fuel lines because someone had a fire.  Check the
lines regularly for signs of wear, frayed ends, brittle sections, leak
marks on the ground, etc. and replace them when they need it.  Every
situation is different.
  The next thing you know we'll all replace our engines because someone
had a head gasket go.  Sure the engine will go eventually but I still
think it makes the most sense to cross that bridge when it comes along as
if you anticipate every possible problem you'll spend several times more
than the cost of the Vanagon itself.  I don't mind putting money into my
VW but I've had vehicles in the past where I amass a lot of parts,
spares, etc and then the unforeseen accident makes the thing a wreck and
then where are you (back to the eBay thread I guess;).  So my philosophy
is take a good set a tools when you travel, a credit card with plenty of
room, my AAA+ card and most important the contact info for my favorite
mechanic and parts place who in the past have been more than willing to
overnight me things on the go so I could do a repair (or have it done by
a reputable shop) and get going again.

Later,
  Tolga

>Date:    Tue, 9 Mar 2004 09:58:36 -0700
>From:    Andrew Fox <afox@CNR.COLOSTATE.EDU>
>Subject: Re: coolant hoses (Cost, it the only issue)
>
>Eric,
>
>I fear you missed my point.  Of course cost is an issue, $550 in coolant
>lines would be a lot cheaper than: "Call a cab, fly home, and have a truck
>get the vanagon tow it, fix it, and ship it home.....".  But the other
>main issue issue is to avoid the hassle and loss of your prime vacation
>time experiencing new places while waiting for parts anywhere.  Also, ive
>found that cell phones dont work in pretty places where i like to camp,
>this is not to say that you're going to die cause you blew a coolant hose
>but it can sure ruin your plans for the day.  Finally, i think you owe an
>appology to the women on the list with your stupid remark: "Now emotional
>security is another issue!  A women would clearly agree with you."
>
>Andrew Fox