Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:21:59 -0400
Reply-To: jules <jules.herr@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: jules <jules.herr@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Advice needed for cross-country trip
In-Reply-To: <BLU144-W37F4E0CA4BCF2A79C8F53EB8730@phx.gbl>
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On Tue, Aug 12, 2008 at 10:53 PM, Ellen <elleninoregon@hotmail.com> wrote:
> The short story is this: I'm planning on quitting my job the first part of October, and embarking on a cross-country trip to see all my relatives. ... What else do I need to know?
After recently returning from a similar road trip where I found myself
rebuilding my engine in rural Nebraska I'd say the following were most
useful:
1. Toolbox, tools, floor jack. Everything necessary to take the engine
out on the fly if required (sometimes, it's required)
2. Cell phone, plenty of extra minutes if you're pre-paid
3. Laptop computer, wireless internet (I had Sprint Mobile broadband,
which worked in places my cell phone didn't) and a WiFi card for
places with internet service (motels, rest stops, starbucks, etc)
4. 12 Volt DC and 120 Volt AC Chargers for cell phone and laptop
5. Portable battery charger/accessory power. I used a little
black&decker charger/battery pack to run everything on the days when I
was far away from a power jack. This was indispensable for charging my
cell phone so I could make those follow up calls and track down my
parts orders. Bring the AC charger with you so you can charge up your
charger when you're near AC.
6. Spare parts. If I had to do it again I'd bring a spare piston,
cylinder, and head, along with the always present belts, seals, valve
cover gaskets, points, coil, distro, fuel pump, filters, oil, etc, etc
that every VW mechanic has on board.
7. Shop manual. The Bentley for your year. Even if you don't use it,
give it to your mechanic to use if you should need one. Seriously, in
some of the places you mention they don't have VW mechanics for
hundreds of miles.
8. AIRS List for all the states you're traveling through
http://www.type2.com/~airswork/rescue/index.html
If you're not prepared or willing to do the work yourself print out a
list of the repair shops near the places you're traveling. I think
you can find that here: http://www.roadhaus.com/shops.php
I also had GPS on my notebook and used it at times when I was
navigating through the inner cities (I refused to use the interstates
on my journey).
Hope this helps. Have a great trip. If something happens, don't sweat
it - it's all part of the experience. There's plenty of people who
want to help you make it a successful journey.
peace
jules
'71 1600 dp westy (currently on life support due to a most unfortunate accident)
troy ny
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