Date:         Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:34:22 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject:      Re: trip report, Portland, Oregon>Bishop, Ca. return.
Comments: To: Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

  Yes, 165lb driver aboard.  Weighed on an ODOT highway scale near Lakeveiw, Oregon . One that remains on all the time.  I've used it before as I've passed that way.  It only gives #50 increments.  With the van's short wheelbase, I could get the whole deal on at one time.  With a pickup, you have to weigh axle by axle and add the sums.
  Unrelated:   was the fact that by shimming up my van's right rear spring, my traction is noticeably better as tested on my way up a clay/silt two track to a campsite on this trip.  Pre- adjustment...no way..this time, no problem.
  Unrelated #2:  My fridge didn't go out the whole trip despite windy conditions all the time.
  Unrelated #3:  Higher tire pressures gave me acceptable directional stability this time down US 395..#58psi front and ~#54psi rear, right in keeping with the weight distribution.
  Unrelated #4:  Average MPG was just over 23mpg and the major passes could be negotiated at 65mph uphill, with a bit of finesse and some luck with other vehicles as you climbed.  When slowed at the bottom of a grade, I could get back to 65-70 mph eventually by backshifting to 4th and leaving it there to higher rpms...no tach, and a diesel 5 speed manual tranny inline 4 gas motor.
  Don Hanson
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jake de Villiers 
  To: Don Hanson 
  Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 11:31 AM
  Subject: Re: trip report, Portland, Oregon>Bishop, Ca. return.


  Sounds like good fun, except for the alternator part.

  Was that weight with driver aboard? 

  Thanks, Jake