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Date:         Wed, 31 Mar 1999 01:14:48 EST
Reply-To:     Karibel@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kari Williams <Karibel@AOL.COM>
Subject:      mom's USA trip: your advice (so far)
Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

wow! thanks everyone for coming through for me! i am jazzed about this trip!! this list is already a mile long but some of you have requested to see it so far. here goes:

THINGS TO DO TO THE VANAGON BEFORE YOU LEAVE 1. tint the windows to keep it cooler 2. get coolant replaced 3. oil change/ filter replaced 4. brake fluid replaced 5. new front brake pads 6. new wiper blades 7. v-belts replaced 8. cv joints cleaned/regreased 9. check AC, check freon 10. check headlights 11. check spare tire-pump to max pressure 12. get new, 2-ply steel-belted tires 13. "install" a magnetic mount CB antennae 14. check battery water levels 15. pay for a "buyer's check" at VW dealer: mechanic looks over everything (belts, hoses, battery, etc) as if you are going to buy it. Costs maybe $100 or so?

OTHER STUFF TO DO PRIOR TO TRIP 1. AAA membership 2. Good Sam's Club membership 3. LIMBO membership 4. Post exact route of travel on vanagon mailing list to establish contacts along the way 5. AAA triptik service (they prepare maps with marked travel routes) 6. Read copies of Motorhome Magazine or Trailer Life Magazine for advice, check the ads

THINGS TO CONSIDER PACKING 7. porta potti (to avoid nasty rest areas) 8. CB radio 9. Cell phone w/ nationwide coverage (AT&T WorldNet) 10. AAA card 11. Good Sam's Club card 12. Gasoline cards 13. Spare belts (small shops might not carry correct ones) 14. Spare fuses 15. Tire guage 16. Can of flat fixer 17. Windex/paper towels 18. Jack (and the know-how to use it…) 19. Don't pack junk under the left rear seat where fuel injection computer is (gets hot) 20. Hand gun?? 21. Pepper spray 22. Flare gun and extra flares 23. Loud whistle or air horn in case you get lost/stranded 24. GPS 25. Pack of toilet paper: many rest stops/gas stations don't have any! 26. Maps! 27. Jumper cables 28. Hose clamps 29. Duct tape (fixes everything! Even shoes!) 30. Coolant (pre-mixed) 31. Oil 32. LIMBO membership (late Model Bus Organization) book of reliable VW shops nationwide 33. Mag lites (flashlights) and spare batteries 34. Medicine chest/first aid stuff 35. Cooler that plugs into cig lighter or ice chest 36. Moroso Ceramic Block Sealer to fix any leaks 37. Window screens if you plan to sleep in the vanagon

THINGS TO DO DURING THE TRIP 1. refill gas every 200 miles at a brand name station like Mobil, Exxon (better quality gas) 2. change oil/filter every 3,000 miles at a VW dealer so you get the right filter 3. check fluids every time you get gas 4. set up regular contact w/ someone on the trip to check in 5. try to stay off busy interstates at rush hour 6. get to nightly destination (campground/motel) in daylight (for safety) and choose less secluded spot (close to office, not hidden from view)

thanks everyone! keep 'em coming if you get more... ~kari


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