Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:39:34 -0800
Reply-To: Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Subject: Re: Newbie back from first camping trip!
In-Reply-To: <699b6e3f0808242226i76761943i52a7214f6a5cbfce@mail.gmail.com>
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Patti,
Welcome to Westy camping. My first experience with it was the 3500 mile drive home from Elk Grove, CA where we purchased our `87 Westy Syncro to Anchorage, AK. If you are going to car camp it is the way to go, though I still enjoy backpack tent camping.
As you have noticed Westy's are not exactly fast on the inclines. Yours may have a problem but if it was a steep incline it is probably normal and you will get used to it, or swap the engine for something more powerful. Ours is stock and will stay that way at least until the current engine dies, in the meantime I will decide which way to go once that fateful day arrives.
The metal curtain track is held in with some incredibly tiny wood screws. You are probably missing some and the holes for them may be too big now. The screws are so small that you might not find them at your local hardware store, several online Vanagon parts vendors carry them though. You will need a small, jewelers size screw driver to install them but first you have to fix the holes. I used epoxy, toothpicks, and a small drill bit to fix mine. Mix the epoxy and roll the end of a couple toothpicks in it. Then insert the epoxy and toothpicks into the hole. After the epoxy dries break off the excess toothpick and redrill the screw hole. Place the track back in place and put the screw in. As for the curtain tabs falling out of the track, there are pieces for that that you can also find from the online vendors, buy two sets as I need some too,:<) just kidding.
Enjoy your Westy, that is what it was made for.
Mark in AK
`87 Westy Syncro
----- Original Message -----
From: PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
Date: Sunday, August 24, 2008 9:37 pm
Subject: Newbie back from first camping trip!
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> 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 37mph. 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 slowingdown 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 puttingin a few more upgrades!
> Patti
>
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