Date:         Wed, 10 Jul 1996 13:25:17 PDT
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Shawn Wright" <SW@smus.bc.ca>
Subject:      Re: Trip Preperations

On 10 Jul 96 at 14:54, Mike wrote:
>         My girlfreind and I will be leaving on Aug. 3rd for a two week
> excursion out to the west coast and Im starting to get things ready for it,
> and would love some input.
>         Things I have to get done on the van before I leave are a) new
> seals for the pop top which Ill be ordering from California Imports
> tommorow since they were the cheapest around. b) NEW TIRES..now Ive been
> following the banter about tires here for awhile but have come to no
> definte conclusion on what the hell I should invest in. I am presently
> riding on Continental TS 750 185 R14's  (which is all greek to me BTW). I
> was thinking about just getting the same, but some people here think
> Conti's aint that sh*t hot. There was mention of the Yokohama Y370's being
> solid...any other suggestions?
I have the Conti TS750's on the rear & Yokos on the front. I plan to 
rotate them & see how the Yokos are on the rear. I suspect they will 
be much better since they're rated for ~300lbs more and can take 
65psi. Even at 2 lbs over (42psi) I find the Conti's look soft, and 
worry about sharp rocks cutting them up on the backroads. The tread 
wear on the Conti's is also not that great - the PO put them on about 
35k km ago, and they look to be more than 1/2 worn. I plan on getting 
2 more Yokos when they wear out.

>         Other than that I must also get a oil change..put some of that
> brake squeek stopper stuff on, and although I hate myself for even thinking
> this...I was going to take it to the miney sucking shop to gewt them to
> make sure everything is all tickityboo and ready for trippin.
>         What Id like to know is if anyone has other suggestions for 
things
> I should get checked before I leave, and other things I should take with me
> 'just incase'.
Waterpump belt...! I'd go with a synthetic oil, too...

>         And...if there's anyone in Vancouver (or area) that wouldnt mind
> giving me there # or address so that 'just incase' something happens I have
> a contact, instead of spending all my trip money on a tow and fix.
If you make it to the Island, I'm in Victoria 592-2411 or Shawnigan 
Lake 743-9911. Have a great trip!
Shawn
'88 Westy 332k (Kyra)
'85 Jetta TD 350k (Jenni)