Date: Sun, 22 May 2005 21:12:26 -0400
Reply-To: Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Subject: Re: Moving with a Vanagon, cross-country
Content-Type: multipart/mixed;
Why on earth would anyone want to leave NYC and go to LA instead? But then, where on earth did you keep your Vanagon in NYC?
Oh, I see, in Queens.
I'd agree that shipping stuff sounds better. You have time for slow shipping. And remember, if you drive all your stuff in the van there won't be any room to sleep in it, so you'll have to camp or do credit card camping. Credit card camping can get expensive! If your van is really packed full, accessing your stuff while camping will be a big hassle too.
Picky detailed suggestion on packing household items in a Vanagon, though (from experience). For flat fragile items, i.e. framed pictures with glass, unfold the top bunk and slide them on top, with the top down. Keeps them lovely and snug and secure and nothing can bang into them to break them.
Good luck! But wouldn't you rather rethink that job in LA? Road rage! Driving everywhere! Outrageous gasoline prices! NYC has to be better... :-)
Joy
****************************************************************
Joy Hecht
and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
For musings about life and the vanadventures:
http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy
****************************************************************:::-----Original Message-----
:::From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
:::Of Detroit Bus
:::Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2005 7:28 PM
:::To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
:::Subject: Moving with a Vanagon, cross-country
:::
:::Good Saturday afternoon to you all...
:::
:::I'm planning a cross-country move from NYC to LA. We are hoping to
:::forego renting a moving truck and use the Vanagon instead for the
:::contents of our one-bedroom apartment. I figure it will take about two
:::Vanagon-loads (that's 2 VL's, official metric unit).
:::
:::However, if I get a small trailer, or rent a U-Haul trailer, I might
:::be able to make it in one trip, which would save a lot of
:::cross-country mileage (5000 miles, in fact). But I know that Vanagons
:::aren't exactly happy doing their own towing and I don't want to damage
:::my vehicle.
:::
:::So-
:::
:::Question 1:
:::What's harder on the Vanagon ('87 GL, 160k miles, orig 5-speed, new
:::wasserboxer engine): an extra trip cross-country, or one trip pulling
:::a small trailer with about 800 lbs in it? I have time to make two
:::trips because my new job doesn't start until late June.
:::
:::Question 2:
:::My Vanagon does not currently have a trailer hitch. Any models I
:::should look for, sizes, capacities? Anything to watch out for? What
:::kind of place installs these?
:::
:::Question 3:
:::Where could I get a good roof rack, for bicycles and light flat stuff?
:::Is Thule the best option? Any suggestions for model numbers or sizes?
:::Anyone sell large flat racks for Vanagons like you used to see on
:::splits? Even homemade would be fine...
:::
:::Any other comments or suggestions on this kind of thing would be
:::helpful, especially from anyone with experience good or bad moving
:::with a Vanagon. A Penske truck would cost me $2000 including gasoline
:::for one trip cross-country (and then i'd still have to drive the
:::Vanagon out.)
:::
:::Garrick
:::
:::
:::
:::--
:::Garrick, Queens, NY
:::'87 GL Weekender
:::
:::*****
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