your thinking and plan sounds .........'well thought out' to me. and yes, get the enhanced premium tow insurance ! ........and we're lucky CSAA doesnt' say 'oh, Vanagon - premium tow package on those is $ 400 / year ! )

there's another 'old rule' too........about any spare parts your bring - you never need the ones you bring ! I carry a few standard back up things like.............a good used altnerator ........ and a known good used starter - with an auto trans you won't be push starting if the starter happens to give out..... though starters last *really* well,. Bosch rebuilt ones anyway.

I always carry an Remote Starter Swtich ........that way whatever happens in the wiring or electircal portion of the ignition switch ..) starter circuit wise ) ....you can still operate the starter - and it's a very, very useful diagnostic, ( and self-rescue ) tool, a remote starter switch. I don't cross town without on one board.

Bentley manual for the van, naturally. Fuel pumps last really, really well, but I like to have a good used one of those along, plus a fuel fitler *for sure.* after compenents like that .......... some bailing wire, gorilla brand duct tape..........some vice grips..........spark plug socket........test light.......hammer and a crescent wrench. if you 'try too hard' on the tools........you'll end up with everything except what you need ! a nice fat tow rope too, so you can at least get away from traffic if you have to in an emergency.

But at least 'some back up parts and tools' to at least increase your chances of self-rescue. And even if YOU don't know how to use the tools, parts and Bentley manual ......if you get to a shop, having those along can help a LOT !

hope you have a great trip ! heck........I carry some CV joint grease.........and sometimes one good used CV joint - but they're heavy. I put this stuff under the back seat, and usually have the rear heater removed to get more storage room under there. I even stash a few things in the spare tire sometimes. have a great trip ! scott www.turbovans.com Just off I-5 in southern orgeon if you have issues that you can't deal with.

----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Diehr" <md03@XOCHI.COM> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 8:51 AM Subject: Trip Contingencies

> My travel partner is, to put it mildly, skeptical of our vanagon's > ability to make a planned 1500 mile road trip this summer. This is > not without cause : in the 6 prior trips, three were problematic: > once the engine blew up, once it overheated in rather extreme heat and > we had to pull over for an hour, and once the alternator died (**) and > we couldn't run A/C and lights at the same time. That time I had a > friend bring a new alternator and replaced it at the campground. I > thought this was kinda fun but I guess definitions of "fun" > differ? :-) Other 3 trips it was fine. > > Negotiations with said partner have focused on strategies for > increasing chances of next trip to be a winner, and reducing anxiety. > > Ideas included: > * getting known issues fixed ahead of time by an actual mechanic > * not driving up southern california mountain passes I-5 or I-15 in > traffic + 110 degree heat > * a relaxed driving schedule so we feel no need to press on in > adverse conditions > * getting AAA plus (100 mile) or premium (200 mile) tow package > * having a list of vanagon friendly mechanics along the route > > The van has a new engine (about 10k miles), ecu, afm, battery, > starter, alternator**, alternator wiring, fuel hose, injectors > (professionally cleaned), and radiator. (**) the alternator was > probably fine, it was the bad wiring. > > Known issues : minor exhaust leak, automatic transmission leaks a > bit but works fine. The transmission is my only major worry, as it's > more or less the only major trip-ending failure I can imagine. > > Any recommendations? This is as much an emotional as technical issue, > methinks.