Date:         Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:37:26 +0000
Reply-To:     kayakjr@COMCAST.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Reynolds <kayakjr@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      6 guys and vanagon x-country
In-Reply-To:  <1129316222.3645581244686860647.JavaMail.root@sz0058a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

A friend's nephew (recent high-school grad) and 5 (count'em 5) of his buddies bought an 81 Westfalia off Craig's list for $800 and are taking it across country.  

The van is one with the sink/ice box (no stove - P27?) so it has seating for 5.  I gave him a jump seat, along with belts so all 6 would have a safe place to sit.  The ice box was, unfortunately replaced with a dometic fridge - it had somewhat newer lines going to where a propane tank was at one time.  They removed the fridge, as I suggested, it to get more storage. 


Before they left, I asked that I see the van, mainly to see that it had proper tires and to check the fuel lines.  It had LT tires on it.  I stressed that the fuel lines and firewall fitting should be replaced. (showed him my van with proper clamps) Ditto for fuel filter.  


I showed him the extending oil, filter, where the brake fluid was, windshield washer fluid, informed them of tire pressure. The van reportedly has a newly rebuilt trans and that the former owner was asking to get his money ($800) back on the new trans in the sale.  The trans was very clean.  Brake lines were done recently.  The crimps on the electrical lines at the fuel pump (hanging, no metal mount) were not comforting. 


Unfortunately, I should gave looked at the age of the tires, as they had a blow out this morning.  I talked his father through the BusDepot site for info on tires and suggested that he call BusDepot.  His father suggested that they buy new tires before the trip after hearing my talk on tires. Unfortunately they did not replace any fuel lines, even though dad offered to pay for the kit.  (I sent them plenty of info, Ben's site, AIRS, etc) 


Anyways, I don't know exactly where they are right now, but they are heading from Mass thru knoxville TN to New Orleans, then to San Diego and then to Denver and then hi-tail it home to Cape Cod.  Well that's what they planned!  I just learned that they have 2 weeks - LOL!  I would have pointed the van to Yellowstone, hit the Tetons and Badlands and called it a good trip. 


They reported only getting 10-11 mpg at 65 mph.  At 55 it increased to 13-14.  I pushed for them to get the van checked out a good shop (Stan's in Natick) and get the valves adjusted.  I'm sure this would have payed for itself in fuel savings.  Maybe along the way we can get them to hook up with a good shop - but with only 2 weeks.. 


Anyways, I may asking this list soon for help for these 6 souls.  They wanted an adventure and it has already started! 


More later... 


John 
LiMBO