Date: Fri, 7 Jun 2013 07:15:39 -0700
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Driving a Vanagon or any RV fast.
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Can't speak to the safe speed of a WBX van but I do kind of hold back
slightly with my 2.0l Jetta inline gas powered van.
When I am on a long trip, couple of days worth of driving at highway
speeds I like to try to keep my inline 5sp to about 65mph as a target
speed. That puts me at 3500rpms, which is in the low end of my power band,
as this motor is configured. That speed keeps my engine oil temp at
200-210f and lets me make average of 21-23 miles per gallon on Etho/Gas
regular mix.
I have blitzed-it down I-5, Washington state to So. Cal at 75-80, when I
had to...keeping up with the regular car traffic. It ran fine and didn't
do anything alarming, but I just choose to run along at the more moderate
pace...Seems like it has to be a little easier on the vehicle and I'm
usually matching speeds or going slightly faster than the big trucks, so
the traffic flow around me stays normal.
On Fri, Jun 7, 2013 at 6:57 AM, Frank Romano <fromano99@gmail.com> wrote:
> I have wondered what the prevailing wisdom is for driving highway speeds in
> a 1.9 l 84 westy. At 65 mph. The speed reads 80 and I feel like thats about
> the limit. I do not have a tach so I am not sure what my rpms are at 65
> mph. I am still running 14 inch wheels.
>
> Is it ok to run hours at 6 5 mph in my much loved VANGOGO?
> On Jun 7, 2013 8:56 AM, "Dennis Haynes" <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Many of us work not only full time but often very demanding jobs. Then
> some
> > of us even have family and side line obligations. While I enjoy
> traveling,
> > especially the driving and sightseeing part there are times I/we simply
> > have
> > to get there. Just last week I went to Busses By Natural Bridge. This
> was a
> > 470 mile trip each way. I has a challenge getting the Friday off. Once
> past
> > NY traffic I needed to "make tracks' to get down there and enjoy the
> > weekend. Generally I stay right and middle lanes and keep up with
> traffic.
> > Most of the trip was done at 65-75 mph. With my need for frequent stops
> and
> > a shopping diversion it was still almost 10 hours. There were a few hills
> > that slowed my down to 60 or so and I still felt that I was in someone's
> > way. I find this stressful.
> >
> >
> >
> > I grew up with Busses and Bugs. I learned to drive and took my road test
> in
> > a 67 splittie. I had a few bays. When we got our first Vanagon, an 84
> with
> > the 1.9L, it was like oh my gosh, I can go as fast as I need in comfort!
> I
> > can even stop and steer (not aim) it. I never looked back. Back in those
> > days we had the 55 mph speed limit and the early Vanagons especially the
> > Diesels were designed around that limit. For some those vehicles are fine
> > but the lack of power is probably the main reason these never really
> sold.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > For many reasons I really like the Vanagon. For a van type vehicle there
> is
> > nothing that offers some level of modern performance that is so
> > serviceable.
> > Yes, serviceable. What other van type vehicle can have the complete drive
> > line removed in your front yard without a hoist or exotic equipment? Know
> > how to use a multi meter and a pressure gauge and you can fix anything
> that
> > happens. How about that almost bullet proof suspension? Just look at the
> > number of people that get into these things having no repair experience
> > later becoming fully self-sufficient. Sure they have some quirks and some
> > parts are expensive but overall how many other vehicles 25 years and
> older
> > with hundreds of thousands of miles get pushed into service for cross
> > country trips and living space?
> >
> >
> >
> > However after all that is said if they couldn't travel at normal speeds I
> > probably wouldn't own them.
> >
> >
> >
> > Dennis
> >
>
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