Date:         Fri, 27 Feb 2009 07:54:24 -0800
Reply-To:     mark drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         mark drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Opinion on Long Trip w/young driver to Florida from Texas
Comments: cc: Michael Sullivan <sandwichhead@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <eccfedcc0902270549p2e6516a4x8752b9bde103de0@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

It is a roll of the dice. I would do it but tell myself that I may never
see it again or I may want to cry when I do.

It comes down to psychological factors. Will it mean enough to the
relationship with your son for you to get over any fear of loss?

If you trust your son to drive it right make sure mostly he will drive
it and pick one other driver to help if needed. Don't let them all take
turns. Then go on a test drive with just the other driver so you can
convey what you need to without peer pressures.

Hide a extra set of keys in it but don't tell anyone where. If you have
a factory key matched locking gas cap consider replacing with a generic
non-locking type. If they have 2 sets of keys in use on the trip loss of
a set and the gas cap is a near certainty.

My first big VW van experience was on a college break trip adventure and
the rest is history. That was 34 years back and I have owned a VW van
for the last 32 years. Ok, many VW vans.

Mark



Michael Sullivan wrote:
> Ok, Happy Frydaye.  My 91GL is in darn good shape.  I have never driven it
> more than 300 miles at a time and my kid(20 yr old) wants to take it to
> Florida from Texas for Spring Break with five other friends.. All fuel
> lines, tires and belts are new.  Got back up belts, oil cooler seal, plugs,
> anti-freeze, fire extinguisher and brand new spare.
> Aside from the dumb-ass quotient and the 'I'm on Spring Break and gotta
> vomit' issue, does anyone have an opinion? They don't want to spend $$ to
> rent a vehicle and I will have it detailed and oil changed when they return,
> but I am worried of mechanical issues that would leave my van stuck in FL.
> I've told him NO, but re-thinking it.  Would like to have Rescue squad
> contacts and good shops in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida noted just in
> case.
> He's driven the van about town alot and never a problem.
> I would go with him, but all those young uns would drag me down. heheheh
> Opinions welcomed. Thanks.
>
> --
> Michael in San Antonio
> 91GL AT 'Gringo'
>