Date:         Thu, 7 Oct 2004 09:58:52 -0400
Reply-To:     Cory Sammons <slagskot@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Cory Sammons <slagskot@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      FW: 1st successful road trip report (longish)!
In-Reply-To:  <BD8AC3AE.4049%slagskot@hotmail.com>
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On 10/7/04 3:26 AM, "Parker Beeson" <parker@COREADDICTS.COM> wrote:

> Just returned from a 3 week, 4,000 mile paragliding road trip with my
> brand "new" 1989 Westfalia and wanted to share a few thoughts.
> 
> The very first thing I did before departing was print out a list from
> the internet of all qualified Westy mechanics in the country as I
> figured I'd, at some point, maybe need one. I'm happy to report though
> that I not only didn't need one, but was stunned that the entire trip
> went off without a hitch. Not one hiccup in the van the whole time! I'm
> now sold on Westys and am convinced that they are the coolest thing
> this side of the Antarctic (not to mention I slept like a damn rock
> they are so comfortable!!).
> 
> I initially decided to name the van "Duck Dodgers" (late of Daffy Duck
> cartoon fame) as I was only 20 miles into the road trip when a gaggle
> of ducks decided to cross the highway right in front of me as I was
> cruising along at a blistering 58mph according to my GPS (though the
> speedo was happily lying to me saying 63.. ha!). I honestly don't know
> what angel was watching over me and those ducks, but I managed to not
> kill a single one of them as my heart leapt into my throat and my
> little 14" Hankook tires did their best to swerve left and right at my
> command. What a start to a trip!!!
> 
> As I'm a paraglider pilot and my other vehicle, a 1985 brown Subaru GL
> wagon, is named the "Turd Bird" I finally decided on naming my "new"
> van "Skybiscuit". Kind of a cross between the little engine that could,
> Seabiscuit and my favorite playground... the sky. By the end of the
> trip, after long hours, I would find myself yelling out loud in the
> Rockies, "Go biscuit, GO!" And she sure did!
> 
> I started in northwest Montana, worked my way west to the Pacific and
> then down the coast paragliding along the way. I made it as far as
> Santa Barbara before deciding that I was exhausted and running out of
> travel money so I bee-lined back to Montana by way of Las Vegas
> (naturally) and Salt Lake City. I tended to stay on Interstates this
> first trip, my logic being that there are at least two lanes so people
> could pass me without wanting to kill me and that cell phone service is
> generally great. Next time I'll brave more back roads for sure.
> 
> Here are a few things I learned about my brand spanking "new" Westy
> that I'm sure you all are very familiar with, but may find amusing
> non-the-less:
> 
> 1. When the road sign says, "Caution Curves Ahead - 35mph!" you damn
> well better pay attention to that! :-)
> 
> 2. When a semi-truck passes you going 80mph you should always pucker up
> and be prepared to move that steering wheel like mad to stay in your
> lane!!! This may not apply to you 15" and 16" tire people. 16" setup is
> already on my wish list for sure! Though... 40psi and those 14"ers did
> just fine all in all.
> 
> 3. When it's <40 degrees out at night you can close all windows except
> the skylight, leave the fridge on LP and usually have enough residual
> heat from the fridge venting to keep the Westy somewhat warm without
> smothering yourself from lack of oxygen. Neat!
> 
> 4. Despite all the apparent "coolness" of owning a Westy hot girls
> would rather bundle up in a tent with each other than climb in the
> steel breadbox with you. Bummer. ;-)
> 
> 5. Love the tailwind, dread the headwind. 'Nuff said.
> 
> 6. Make ample use of kinetic energy and inertia. When approaching a
> steep incline you're much more likely to successfully climb that
> incline if you're nearly redlining that smooth as silk waterboxer. :-)
> 
> 7. When you pass another Westy on the road you damn well better wave to
> them or risk offending someone! :-)
> 
> Anyway, I had a blast and was utterly amazed at the performance of this
> van (I averaged 20-22mpg on this trip!). I'm beginning to wonder if the
> POs had worked on the engine or something as every time I filled up I
> would check the oil/coolant etc. and there wasn't a single leak or
> anything the whole way. She was loving the 20W50 high mileage I put in
> her right before I left though that's for sure. Is there any easy way
> to tell if the engine has been overhauled/upgraded? Maybe I have a
> sweet 2.4L GoWesty and don't even know it!!! All the same I'm sold on
> these engines though I'd love a 5th gear so it doesn't cruise at such
> high RPMs. Still... sooooo smooth.
> 
> I was also amazed that even on the gnarliest passes in the Cascade and
> Rockies I could bury the pedal in 4th and climb up them never going
> below 50-55mph. Stunning to say the least and much better than my "Turd
> Bird" Subby even!
> 
> The only glitch came the last day of my trip as the water tank pump
> failed for some reason. I managed over 25 gallons of filtered water
> before this happened. Will track it down... probably too much strain
> from installing my .5 micron inline water filter.
> 
> And last, but not least, 5 miles from home a deer popped out onto the
> highway. Just like the ducks it was a near miss and a reminder that
> even when things seems perfect you must stay alert for Murphy and his
> laws. :-)
> 
> Some pictures can be seen at:
> 
> http://www.coreaddicts.com/
> 
> and
> 
> http://www.coreaddicts.com/day15/ (specifically pages 5/6 for a few
> Westy shots)
> 
> Parker and "Skybiscuit"
> 
> PS - If you ever get a chance to visit GoWesty in Los Osos, CA... DO
> IT!!! Made me drool buckets from the moment I pulled in. Amazingly I
> managed to walk away only spending $60 for a new radio antenna, some
> oil drain plug gaskets and a skylight bug screen. Phew! Got off easy
> that time! Glad I didn't have 10 grand to burn!
> 

Sounds like you got a pretty sweet vehicle
Donšt think I've ever had a completely prob free trip!
Just a quick note though:
While I use the method in #3
You need a good aux heater to have any chance of fixing #4
Its amazing how a warm comfy crib (with a bottle of wine in the
cabinet/fridge) can take you from being some wierdo who sleeps in a van to
the cool kid on the block
Enjoy your travels!

Cory Sammons
84 Westy
99 New Beetle
Gardiner, NY




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