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Sun Feb 28, 2010 4:30 pm

Who here regularly drives their ACVW on the highway. Here in Georgia the speed limit is 70 mph. Folks regularly drive 80 or more. I am just not comfortable driving at those speeds. So, I never drive the interstate. 60 mph is the limit of "feeling" safe. I am interested in hearing from other acvw drivers.

Sun Feb 28, 2010 4:35 pm

2180cc engine and a Berg 5 speed was my solution. Cruising at 80mph is not a problem.

Sun Feb 28, 2010 4:49 pm

i drive my 71 bus on the interstate fairly regularly. the limit in AZ is 75. i maintain a steady 65.
same rules apply as any highway driving. keep a sharp eye on the morons in front and behind you. be aware. defensive driving is a bus pilot's savior.
i've never really felt unsafe at all.
my wife on the other hand... :lol:

Sun Feb 28, 2010 6:41 pm

I drive on the freeway every day. If the other folks don't want to hang out behind me while I do 65, they can go around.

Sun Feb 28, 2010 6:57 pm

In my 73 its no problem at 75-80..My 65 with a 40 horse is a different story...I tend to take the back roads with it..

Sun Feb 28, 2010 7:00 pm

lowmitsu wrote: In my 73 its no problem at 75-80..My 65 with a 40 horse is a different story...I tend to take the back roads with it..
are ye skeered?

Sun Feb 28, 2010 7:18 pm

Not at all...Once I redo all the brakes..

Sun Feb 28, 2010 7:23 pm

lowmitsu wrote: Not at all...Once I redo all the brakes..
I didnt really think you were,
being crazy as hell and all.......
and those nipples you sent me Friday,
I had to poke my eyes out with a hot french fry to get that image out of my head......

Sun Feb 28, 2010 7:53 pm

I drive my Fastbacks on the Interstates at 75-80 mph.
Both are stock FI 1600 with 3.88 transaxles.
MY 69 gets 30-35mpg on the interstates.

Sun Feb 28, 2010 8:23 pm

I kinda agree with "Borninabus's" comment:
"Defensive driving is a bus pilots savior."
I roll a '63 15 window and have made many long trips in it. Generally I like to cruise two lane and back roads but many times Im just not able. I have a 1600 single port that will get me along at sixty to sixty-five okay and "push come to shove" will do seventy on a flat or very moderate incline. Among my trips are several to San Diego ( I live north of Seattle)
and one out to Dakota black hills area. Gotta keep your head up and lookin' around all the time for traffic, and keep some distance between you and the guy in front. Going through rush hour in place's like San Francisco or Los Angeles, you just gotta deal with it. Always make sure your bus or bug is up for the road. Brakes and all that stuff.

One thing I've found to be very helpfull is a "SLOW MOVING VEHICLE"
magnet sign. Their made and sold by a fellow here in the samba classifieds. I mount mine on my bus before moving out on any long road trips Most folks that come up behind me, read it and pass, often with a wave. In several years of rolling with it, I've had no issues.
Might be something to think about. :D

Sun Feb 28, 2010 8:23 pm

MODIFIER wrote: lowmitsu wrote: Not at all...Once I redo all the brakes..
I didnt really think you were,
being crazy as hell and all.......
and those nipples you sent me Friday,
I had to poke my eyes out with a hot french fry to get that image out of my head......
I thought you'd like that...

Sun Feb 28, 2010 8:35 pm

Drive all mine on the freeway. If your VW is mechanicly sound (should be no mater what roads you drive on) the freeway shouldn't be an issue, just stay to in the right lane. Back roads and highways can be more senic or fun, but sometimes you just need to get there.

Sun Feb 28, 2010 9:10 pm

You can keep up with traffic if you like, but can get away with driving less fast because you have an air cooled and people expect it.

Sun Feb 28, 2010 9:17 pm

The Thing goes 70 quite well, but I dont have cruise and I tend to find myself drifting into a comfort zone (where the vehicle just feels right) around 65 or so.. 1600DP stock 73

My westy rolls at 70 all day long.

Sun Feb 28, 2010 9:45 pm

I drive the Safare' on some of Alberta's fastest and deadliest highways with no fear. I have to use the deadliest highway just to get anywhere. There's no back roads.

Sun Feb 28, 2010 11:03 pm

I drive around in Phoenix, AZ at 60 or so. Speed limit is 55/65/75 depending on where you are at on the highways.

60 isn't an issue. People can go around me but I pass tons of people on the highway too. I mostly drive around where it's 65 and most people either go 75/80 or 45/50 so I'm fine at around 60.

Sun Feb 28, 2010 11:11 pm

I end up doing 70-75 on the interstate north of LA just to stay to the left of the truckers (who are crazy around here), and to not get run over by the morons in the two fast lanes.

Until I replaced the suspension bushings, steering box, ball joints, and set the alignment very carefully, I didn't like doing over 60. With all that set right, it's a great high-speed (for a VW) cruiser. It hasn't been this smooth in a couple of decades. It's more stable than ever, and not terrible in crosswinds anymore (though still more skittery than a front-engined car).

But it took a major amount of effort and careful toe-in adjustments (front and rear) to get it to this stage. Dead stock, but tight and set up like new.

In my old Bug, 65 was as fast as it was comfy, and that car was awful in any kind of crosswind. The T3 is smoother and more stable, probably due to the aerodynamics, and a little more weight.

Sun Feb 28, 2010 11:52 pm

I drive quite a few of mine all over the cali freeways....
My bus did really good on the way to BBB, I held a solid 78 mph average (gps) 2332 with a 3.88 & .82 4th No having to downshift in the hills anymore either....I'm really happy with my bus right now, I love it!!! :)
I've driven my bone stock wore out 36er in my 57 vert with a splitcase and managed to keep about 60-65 fairly comfortable, but if I need to pass it comes up very short... :oops: Brakes??? LOL :lol:
I'd have to say my most favorite road vw has been a ghia when it comes to handling and fuel economy....just seems to do better all around on the highway, Maybe not just because of the shape, but rather, the ghias weigh more....seems to just "stick" better.... I bet this would be true of type 3's too (never driven one yet)...

Best thing to do is jockey for position so to speak, and definitely keep alert at all times.....Think of these cars like a motorcycle....We are constantly playing "Tag" and you never want to be the one who gets tagged ..... :shock:

Mon Mar 01, 2010 1:09 am

I'm in Phoenix, AZ, so freeway speed limit is 55-65 and highways are 75. I typically drive the speed limit on freeways and 65-70 on highways. My bug doesn't enjoy the steep climbs on the I-17, though (1600 DP). I typically end up going 45 uphill if I don't have enough momentum. My strategy is stay in the right lane and wave people on if they ride your tail.

Mon Mar 01, 2010 6:23 am

A large 'Pass now avoid the rush' sticker in the back window of my wbx seems to cure any problems.