Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2017 18:26:50 -0700
Reply-To: Steven Johnson <sjohnso2000@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Steven Johnson <sjohnso2000@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: What can go wrong..... (followup and short trip report)
In-Reply-To: <CACvdLxMp-CuoD3dP5YxbiTOCSAht2SCW4Aw_=cQXEQ6f_w9=Tg@mail.gmail.com>
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I've driven the camper across the country several time and typically driven
an average
65 mph. But since the miles are so high on it now, I have to drive a bit
slower.
I'm sure the folks with Subaru or TDI engine lean to higher MPH... :)
Steven
91 Westy
On Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 6:18 PM, David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com>
wrote:
> I thought EVERYONE drove their VW campers at 60 mph on the highway (or
> slower, depending on conditions). I know I never drive it faster than that.
>
> On Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 6:05 PM, Steven Johnson <sjohnso2000@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Well, as disturbing as this episode was I can say I safely made it back to
>> the
>> West coast without incident. My wife and I drove from Raleigh, NC to the
>> Wilmington, NC area and visited with family there.
>>
>> I had previously had driven up to Maryland and on the way back had the
>> alternator light come on and shortly after the temp gauge light on and the
>> needle climbing to the top. Then had it towed to my rental and then to a
>> shop to have the belts replaced and coolant added.
>>
>> I also had the propane fill valve, bleeder and shut-off valve
>> installed/replaced.
>>
>> I had no trouble with the fridge. It worked admirably.
>>
>> I also filled the AC system up with Freeze 12 including the oil and leak
>> stop.
>>
>> So we visited with the nephew and niece for a few days and headed up to
>> Maryland to visit my cousin again. Then we drove the next day to Ocean
>> City where the end of highway 50 is and took pictures of the sign that
>> says
>> that it is 3073 miles to Sacramento. As luck would have it the bridge
>> was
>> raised so we had plenty of time to take pictures.
>>
>> We drove back towards DC and did a short drive up to Delaware to say we've
>> been there.
>>
>> After that we drove down towards Virginia and spent the night in a hotel
>> near
>> the northern entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The next day we enjoyed
>> the drive in the beautiful greenery and plenty of wild flowers. We
>> finished the
>> drive below the Buena Vista entrance and headed towards Knoxville on I-81.
>>
>> Our next stop was in Nashville and from there we needed to catch some of
>> Kentucky as the wife had not been there. So off we went. Had some
>> stopped
>> traffic as the there was construction further north where the highway
>> splits to
>> Chicago or St. Louis. Ended the day just west of St. Louis and stopped
>> to
>> see
>> the Arch and had a nice dinner at a nice restaurant.
>>
>> The next day we headed south toward the Branson, MO area where more
>> cousins
>> and relatives live and we were treated with great hospitality. Also did
>> a
>> quick jaunt to Arkansas to say we've been there.
>>
>> Side note: because of the issue and high miles the camper has I was
>> driving
>> no greater than 60 mph this trip. I wanted to get as far west as I
>> could. I know
>> that sound excruciating to many but it was actually not bad and allowed me
>> to
>> see more scenery along the way.
>>
>> So after several days visiting with family we headed north again to
>> Nebraska
>> where some of the family ancestors lived and spent some time in a small
>> community outside of Omaha.
>>
>> Next we, headed further north as we wanted to see Mt. Rushmore, Crazy
>> Horse
>> and also, Devil's Tower. After a couple days we arrived and enjoyed the
>> sites. One sign at Rushmore caught my eye was the one that said "No
>> drones".
>> Crazy Horse was very moving. I hope I get to see it completed but I
>> doubt
>> that will happen.
>>
>> Next we went north again and eventually made it through to North Dakota
>> and
>> did a quick jaunt to Minnesota. Yep, we've been there!
>>
>> Next, we headed south west and into Yellowstone. Lot's of switchbacks to
>> get up the the top of the peak (10,900 feet) from the northeast entrance.
>> Then
>> on down into Yellowstone to see some bison and elk. Quite a drive. We
>> finished
>> the day at old faithful. We stayed in a hotel just outside the park and
>> went back
>> in the next day to some of the geyser pools. Very fascinating.
>>
>> After that we headed out and noon to get some lunch in West Yellowstone.
>> The
>> drove all afternoon and into the evening to Boise to stay with another
>> family
>> member. We stayed there for a few days and drove the last day to our
>> home
>> in California.
>>
>> We logged about 5,000 plus miles with no issues. Just keep adding oil as
>> needed and coolant. Oh, and don't drive it too hard.
>>
>> I feel very fortunate indeed. Thanks to all that gave advice on the
>> original
>> post. It may have gone completely differently. The camper now has
>> 253,000 miles with the original engine and heads.
>>
>> Steven
>> 91 Westy
>>
>
>
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