Date: Fri, 7 Jun 2013 08:37:36 -0600
Reply-To: ralph meyermann <ralphmeyermann@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: ralph meyermann <ralphmeyermann@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Driving a Vanagon or any RV fast.
In-Reply-To: <CAHTkEuK=mXTr6dSKpew_Py8sE1Dmd_MzruUNPzhdFzH27StJCw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
I dont wish to go fast, just keep up with the flow in the hills of Western
Iowa. I put a gasser tranny in when my other one failed. The revs are more
suited if i need to travel on interstate now but suffering more of the lack
of oomph! Checking out the bank and possibly getting a 1.9 td AAZ coming my
way today to solve that!!
Velma 82 na diesel westy
On Jun 7, 2013 9:15 AM, "Don Hanson" <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:
> 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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