Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2004 21:00:48 -0700
Reply-To: chris jackson <chriscjack@BIGPLANET.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: chris jackson <chriscjack@BIGPLANET.COM>
Subject: swapping vanagon
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The relative safety has just come into play for me. We just had a couple
murder in Sonoma County as they slept on the beach. The FBI spoke woman
stated that this happen more than you may think in are parks.
The times I've gone back to car camping, that is when I was between busses.
It did not take long to pick up another, you can not bet the comfort of the
van.
I'm on 6th bus now have a 82 diesel
Chris
SF bay
----- Original Message -----
From: "steeles" <steeles@HORIZONVIEW.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 8:09 PM
Subject: Re: swapping vanagon for Prius (was RE: license plate light bulbs
> Joy:
> How about this...?
> Try out the Prius on a short trip, maybe a week long. There is no need to
> make a snap decision and you may find that, like many of us on the List
> have, we have outgrown the desire to sleep on the ground in a tent over
any
> length of time. High and dry is best for me. AND, you get to keep the
kayak
> for water-bourne adventures!
> Obviously you have been storing the car... "store" the van for a while and
> then decide.
>
> Keeping the Westy? Learning more about it?
> What about hanging out with the mechanic that has looked at Matilda? Even
if
> he doesn't do a lot of Vanagons at least you could be exposed to the
various
> mechanical systems/tools that are commonly repaired/used. A 12mm wrench
is
> used in about the same manner on all cars. Batteries may be found in
> different locations but effectively they do the same job in all cars. A
> starter is a starter the world around.
> A good small tool kit, a Bentley manual, a road tow service policy, along
> with internet access are all essential for the non-mechanic on the road.
> Personally, I think that as long as you have access to the List and carry
an
> AIRS list you can be pretty well assured of competent advice if not
outright
> help from anywhere that you choose to travel. Can you expect the same or
> better from a spotty dealer network on a relatively unknown odd ball
model?
> Unlike Mr. Wilder, I find the (wbx) Westy to be a very able long distance
> vehicle. I have enjoyed many long trips and walk away far more refreshed
> from days of driving my '87 Westy than any of the other cars in my family
(3
> Jettas, an '84 Westy, a Gti, a Ch**y truck, and an MGB). The biggest
> obstacle is learning to slow down my land speed a little and enjoy the van
> for what it is... a multi-purpose, highly capable home on wheels. I have
> spent a lot of years tent camping and consider myself fairly adept at it.
> That said, I enjoy the totality of the Westy experience far more than any
> other car camping/driving that I have done so far. YMMV
>
> The concept of stealth camping has not been mentioned yet. It's pretty
hard
> to compare tent camping to the stealthiness of the Westy in most non camp
> site environs. The relative safety and comfort of the van as compared to a
> tent would be major considerations for me. Heating, ventilation, and
> security are some other issues where the tent is not a contender in the
long
> term.
>
> Lastly, as some Listees have brought up, you may decide that some other
> sleep-in-the-vehicle may be a option. BUT, you are asking the Vanagon List
> and we are biased.
> Stephen
> Chillicothe OH
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