Date: Sun, 3 Jan 2016 17:30:15 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: How to look competent when working on your Vanagon instead of
a loser with a 30 year old car
In-Reply-To: <06d701d14669$848c9090$8da5b1b0$@hiwaay.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
While in Florida at my Mom's house it had a headlight go out. While in Home Depot to get more stuff for the house I picked up the bulb and later replaced it. Correct, I don’t even carry bulbs or fuses. When I did carry bulbs they were often broken when I needed them. At least I had the tools but I could have gotten them with the bulb if needed.
Seriously though, I carry belts, a spare tire, and some tools and a multi meter to do minor repairs or figure things out. When I did the Alaska trip I carried some more stuff such as a water pump and set of filters. There are so many things that can happen on a trip and you can’t be tackle all of them. You should always have a good towing plan and access to money-credit card for unforeseen emergencies. Good inspections, observations, and careful installation will get you through most trips. Few parts suddenly fail without warning or cause! Fuel pumps, alternators, ECU's, ignition coils are some examples. I learned last February how an exhaust and tire failure can really mess you up with the motor home. Most new parts these days need to be road tested.
Most of my customers do not do their own work. I can’t send them away with boxes of spare parts. They need to get to their destination and back.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Tom Hargrave
Sent: Sunday, January 3, 2016 3:59 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: How to look competent when working on your Vanagon instead of a loser with a 30 year old car
You've "gotten there" when you have enough confidence in all the car's systems and in your own work to not feel the need to carry a garage full of tools everywhere you go.
This is entirely different from carrying around known high failure items "in case" along with the tools you need to change those items.
Thanks, Tom Hargrave
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-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of Dan N
Sent: Sunday, January 3, 2016 1:32 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: How to look competent when working on your Vanagon instead of a loser with a 30 year old car
well... I do fixing things on my vanagon... lots of things... I became a back yard mechanic 2 months after I get my first '74 bay window in 1976
on campsite I don't open up anything to fix or "improve"... unless I have to do it... but thanks to my luck I never fix anything away from home...
I am scared to get stranded out of nowhere ... I really am...
:-)
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