Date:         Fri, 24 Jul 2015 21:33:48 -0400
Reply-To:     Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Frydae, camping alternatives
In-Reply-To:  <CAEwp_cSNsXpYe23DkedqhnW6vOmHuk2ujGDtrEJiiXSNCChWBw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Hi Mark,

        I think you all ready have your answer.  Take the friends offer and enjoy the Westfalia experience and your music event.  having this van is much much more then just a ride or camper.  It is being part of a sharing community.

        On the way back from West River last weekend my friend left his gas cap on the pump.  Later after a long trip home he went to a parts store to get  one.  No luck. When he walked outside a bus had pulled up to his.  the gentleman talked a bit but my friend was distracted and explained he was trying to find a gas cap.  Well, you guessed it.  A short trip to the man’s home and a gift of a spare  gas cap was offered.

        Some of my best memories and experiences have been when the van needed a bit of support!  I hope you will hang tough through this time but enjoy the friendship and the opportunities that come your way.

Enjoy the use of the other van and share back when your chance arrives.

Over the last two years you have given me great advice and support.  You are appreciated.
hang in there and lets hope for some good news.

Eric Caron 
85 GL Auto Westfalia 


> On Jul 24, 2015, at 9:16 PM, Marc Perdue <mcperdue@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> Seeing as I'm really ticked at my van right now, because it has some
> noise in cylinder 1 and I've only got 50-60K miles on my Boston Bob
> big valve engine, I'm actually considering alternatives to a Westy.
> The only reason I can consider this is that I inherited my Dad's 4WD
> Toyota pickup which can easily tow a trailer into the "outback". This
> got me thinking, which might not be a good thing . . .
> 
> Do you all know if there's something like this available in the U.S. market?
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXbsK18NaRU
> 
> Now, to be fair, I LOVE my Westy. I am basically restoring it because
> there's nothing else like it on the market for camping at music
> festivals. Part of that decision was based on the fact that I've
> replaced the transmission with one of Daryl's and it's been awesome.
> I've replaced the rebuilt original engine with a Boston Bob big valve
> engine, which has been awesome. I've replaced a lot of other things,
> so I felt like buying another van would be having to start all over.
> I've repaired all the rust and repainted my van because I'd already
> replaced most of the drive train. Now I'm looking at the possibility
> of buying another rebuilt engine for it. I don't know yet; Keith has
> had it for 3 weeks and hasn't had the time to pull the engine out and
> open it up to see what's wrong. So, I guess what I'm saying is I'm
> feeling a bit depressed about how my van isn't being there for me and
> how I'm not going to be able to spend 10 days starting next week
> camping out at the most awesome old-time music festival ever because
> my van crapped out on me. Again.
> 
> I could use a little support here...
> 
> Thanks for being here, y'all!
> Marc Perdue
> 
> PS--A friend of mine offered the use of his 91 Westy with 75K original
> miles to go to this festival, which is about the most amazingly
> beautiful thing another human being could do for me. I really don't
> want to risk having something happen to his van though. This is a
> truly amazing community. I would miss this if I sold my Westy.