Date:         Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:19:54 -0400
Reply-To:     Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Subject:      Re: The Value Of a Mechanic That Knows the Vanagon
Comments: To: "Jack R." <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <988893964AD34A9AAB10D50E4708A5B7@jackamdgoblue2>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Hi Jack,

Ummmm... I have mixed feelings about this advice.

I know, I know...  PLENTY of people on this list have pictures of me
under my bus replacing the speedo cable at EveryBus 2003, or when my
clutch blew up en-route to BusFusion 2004, or the shift linkage failure
of 2006. I have camped in AIRS-members driveways and I have had other
AIRS members camp in mine. I have no problem with that; it's gonna
happen sometimes.

Face it, there's a high enough likelihood of unplanned maintenance that
winds up needing to be done. If your van isn't up to the trip then come
to the campout in some other vehicle, get the advice you need and then
FIX IT BEFORE YOU GO CAMPING!!

As a campout organizer, I would really prefer that everyone bring a
good-running vehicle to events. PLANNING to do maintenance at a campout
isn't fair to the campground or the event planner.

The Full Moon Bus Club does offer an interesting compromise; they have
an annual event in the Carolinas known as Fix-Yer-Bus. There, people
work first and relax afterwards. Or so I'm told, I've never been.


Happy Trails,

Greg Potts
1973/74/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop
www.busesofthecorn.com
www.pottsfamily.ca

Jack R. wrote:

> The lesson to this is... ALWAYS go to Vanagon events!!!  You will surely
> find some experienced folks willing to lend a hand.  And, when successful,
> it sure feels good to help them out.  It's also fun to give advise... always
> FREE!
>