Date: Fri, 22 Dec 2006 09:29:53 -0500
Reply-To: Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Vans (from a digester)
In-Reply-To: <001001c72555$a2c4c1c0$98b2d8d1@dhanson>
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I'll agree that naming you bus is a bit silly but it is also fun. Then again
I am that kind of person I name all of my musical instruments as well.
On 12/21/06, Don Hanson <dhanson@gorge.net> wrote:
>
> I am of the school that likes to modify my vans to suit the use I have in
> mind for them. Also, of the school of thought that before I do a total
> custom installation of some thing, I cobb it up and try it a while..Many
> many times I've been absolutely certain I have it just right..and then find
> out it isn't..So preliminary 'test' modifications are my rule.
> Another thing I've learned over the years: Watch the weight you
> add. Think about it. Who want a van that waddles down the road and gets
> 10mpg? Who needs 10,000 lbs of extra added stuff with them whenever they
> drive their van? After seeing how weight affects performance in my race car
> and on my bicycle, I try to consider weight whenever I add something. "Do I
> need it in there permanently? Does it need to be 3/4" partical board, or
> will 1/4" baltic birch be better? Do I really need two Air conditioners and
> 3 heaters, or will a sweater work, or shorts and open windows? " Like that.
> One of the great things I like about vans is they are pretty simple and
> light, compared to other camping vehicles. If you want to start putting
> everything in that you'd find in a Prevost diesel pusher bus, perhaps that
> would be a better platform for you than a VW van..But don't try camping in
> one, just stick to the RV parks and the main roads..
> No names for my vans. While they do have some personality traits, they
> are still just 'stuff'..I don't have a name for my house, either..find that
> a bit odd...When someone calls their vehicle by a name in conversation, it's
> weird, to me..
> "Yeah, we just got back from Baja and Helmut was great"...
> Me, "Who the fu** is Helmut?"
> "Oh" they say, like I am some kinda dummy or like I really ought to
> care.."Helmut is our Mercedes Unimogg Euro truck". or our Winnebago
> ....whoop-de-do...I am usually underwhelmed that they've decided to call
> their possession by name...But whatever..at least they are out there..
> Vans are great, I can't believe I've gone about 15 years since my last
> one..
> Don Hanson
>
--
Thanks,
Jeff
90' Carat (It's Blue, It's Beautiful, It needs a lot of work)
86' (Soon to be donating organs to the 90')
85' GL (sidelined but to be resurrected in the near future)
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