Date: Sun, 12 Dec 1999 21:08:03 -0000
Reply-To: David Clark <DavidClark@HUMBERONIA.FREESERVE.CO.UK>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Clark <DavidClark@HUMBERONIA.FREESERVE.CO.UK>
Subject: Re: Porta Potties / Heating / Radiator Bleeding / MB Vito {Long}
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Hi from the UK
Forgive the length of this posting I've had a lot of Mail to catch up on.
Porta Potties
I agree with all the comments said about porta potties we never leave home without ours, it's a very useful accessory and fits in it's own cupboard in our Autosleeper conversion with the gaz bottles. Our {now} six year old has been used to using it on every trip. Often whilst travelling across Europe she says she is desperate to 'go' and not being able to stop on the Motorway she has sat quite happily at 60-65mph in the van and performed!
It's also useful when you do get the Services, as more than likely those Tour coaches have got there before you and there is a queue of 40-50 people standing crossed legged when you get there!
On many French service areas, they only have French loos, have any of you come across these ? They resemble holes in the ground over which you have to squat; my wife refuses to use them. In Holland the Porta Pottie was invaluable as there are very few Ladies toilets around.
I also placed silver reflective tint on the windows of our van, to reflect the heat of the sun in Italy and to prevent drawing all the curtains when we stop to use the loo - mind you it's an odd feeling sitting on the loo being able to look out knowing those looking at the van cannot see in.................if only they knew!!!
We tend to leave the trap door open slightly when going through the EuroTunnel and crossing the Swiss Alps and during sudden changes of temperature to prevent pressure build up. We always use granulated chemicals - it's less messy and the packets store easily in the van.......they don't roll like liquid containers on mountain roads.
I have had the water reservoir freeze whilst at home several times in the UK with no ill effect on the plastic, don't overfill and leave the ice somewhere to expand - does take a while to thaw out though!!
Coffee
Instant coffee everytime, no time when we are on the move. Now a good cup of tea is an entirely different matter...........................but then you'd expect that from an Englishman!
Radiator Bleeding
Whilst in Italy the year before last we had water pump problems and had to spend a day at a VW garage whilst they found and replaced the pump. My Haynes manual says the front of the van should be raised, and by the look of the postings on this list the Bentley manual says the same. I was amazed that the mechanic actually raised the rear of the van after replacing the pump then raised the revs. I was told by the Manager he knew what he was doing when I queried it. The van was OK for the rest of the holiday and all the way home1500 miles and has been ever since................ any comments?
Karl Loved the Camping hints I think the last but one comment could also apply T2 1600 Aircooled!!
Heating
We have a hot air heating system built into our van. It runs off the gaz and auxiliary battery, and works fine takes about half an hour before the thermometer hits 80f. However, I would not like to leave it on for too long because of the battery drain. We use a household fan heater which is quieter, and have used this a couple of times when on a site. The fibreglass hi-top on our van keeps the heat in better than the raising roof campers, and my daughter soon says "it's too hot up here"if we leave the heating on for too long.
MB Vito
I was suprised at the interest about this van, compared with the T3 VW {Vanagon} it's quite small, and front wheel drive, it feels smaller that the T4 VW. Give me the T3 any day! Good quality van!
David Clark
1985 VW Autosleeper VHT 1.9 2WD
www.soft.net.uk/vwt2oc
{see members rides}
1960 Humber Super Snipe Estate 3L
www.humberonia.freeserve.co.uk
1985 Fiat Uno 1.1L automatic {wife's}
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