Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:24:39 -0700
Reply-To: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Trip Contingencies
In-Reply-To: <0423089D-05CF-4874-9EBF-71D844922FB6@xochi.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
It seems you have "ruled out", either by prevention or inconvenience,
a lot of issues. This in it's own way is useful.
I'd suggest adding:
cell phone, stash o cash, (or travellers cheques?), tools, parts,
extra water/food, GOOD jack(s), PROPER tire iron (thick walled/proper
fit or 6 pt impact wrench 19mm socket and 1/2 "bar"). There's more in
the archives on stuff to carry. Plus this may be of use:
http://www.vanagon.com/info/what/
I too have BCAA with the extra schtuff, stay off I5 type highways, and
*had* learned to take things at a leisurely pace. I say "*had*" as I
just had a fun test run in my "new" Jetta conversion up to Squamish.
It was hard not to "boot it"! Seriously though, IMHO, part of the
charm of these babies is that they bring a more layed back tude' to
the mix. A good thing.
Cheers,
Neil.
On Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 8:51 AM, Michael Diehr <md03@xochi.com> wrote:
> 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.
>
--
Neil Nicholson '81 JettaWesty "Jaco
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
| 
