Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:26:18 -0700
Reply-To: PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Newbie back from first camping trip!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
We just got back yesterday from our first camping trip in the Westy. We
camped at Lopez Lake in San Luis Obispo, which was 187 miles each way. The
van mostly performed great, and even accelerated uphill on occasion. I'm a
slow driver, so I generally kept it at 60-65, and used the cruise control
(for the very first time!) Coming home, going through the Santa Barbara
area, there were 2 very steep inclines, and the van slowed down to around 37
mph. The first one was scary because I wasn't expecting it, was not in the
slow lane, and nobody was letting me merge over. On the second one, I was
already in the slow lane, so it wasn't that bad. I'm wondering if slowing
down to 37 mph is normal and to be expected, or if something needs to be
fixed. We didn't bring anything heavy with us - just normal stuff such as
clothes and food. We didn't carry anything on the roof.
While in the area, we visited GoWesty, planning to have the propane tank
upgraded, but upon inspection, Chris said there was nothing wrong with the
one I had, so instead, I got a 3-window tent installed, which was also on my
"wish list." I also picked up a few odds and ends to avoid shipping charges
later. While the tent was being installed, Chris lent us a Vanagon to drive
around in. It seemed to have more power than mine, but it was just a van
and didn't have the weight that the Westy was carrying.
We slept in the lower bed, which was very comfortable. While closing the
curtains, I noticed all kinds of snaps which I'm going to have to take
pictures of so I can about them. Also, the very narrow metal curtain track
above the rear passenger side window was hanging down, and I don't know how
to make it stay up. The same track that follows along the side door has
openings in the track in 2 places, and the curtain tabs fall out of it. I'm
not at all familiar with Westy curtain technology, but I'm lucky enough to
have all of the curtains, including the front one. I snapped it in, but
didn't know how it was really supposed to go.
In all, I was very pleased with my Westy, and will probably end up putting
in a few more upgrades!
Patti
|