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samroon Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2013 Posts: 98 Location: Durango, CO
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 11:49 pm Post subject: Road Trippin' to B.C. |
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I'm a little late to post this but I figured I would share some road trip pictures of my trip from Monte Vista, CO to Abbotsford, BC. I headed up to British Columbia to attend College and get my outdoor leadership degree. Absolutely love the area and the rainy northwest has been quite nice compared to the dry San Luis Valley. Totaled 2021 miles on this trip! Averaged about 18mpg with a 1600 dual port with dual kadrons. Right before the Medano Pass Muster my 1835 lost oil pressure and I picked up my current 1600 from my buddy Patrick (who went on the muster) of Volks Tech in Manasa, CO. Was super bummed I wasn't able to make it seeing as it was going to be my first off road trip with other buses. Stripped down the 1835 and through together the 1600 dp two days before I left for BC which I was pretty nervous about taking a unknown engine across the country loaded up with bikes, three people, and TONS of gear. The bus was definitely weighed down and slower than the 1835 but still did it's job. The only problem I encountered on the whole trip was a starter wire wiggling loose in the middle of nowhere in Idaho. It was an easy fix and I was back on the road in no time.
Getting the bus all loaded up and securing tires on roof rack.
On top of cochetopa pass letting the engine cool down a bit. The highest temps I experienced on this trip was 210 in the Uinta mountains of Utah. Temps usually stayed around 180-190.
View from the cockpit near Gunnison, CO.
The first night camping at 18 Roads Trail in Fruita, CO. Accidentally drove from Delta to Grand Junction with the engine hatch open! Strangely enough the temps didn't rise but a few degrees so I didn't realize that the hatch was open.
AMAZING farmers market in Fruita. By far the best cantaloupe and peaches I have ever had.
In between Fruita and Dinosaur Monument on highway 139. We tried to avoid the interstate as much as possible on this trip so we spent a lot of time on smaller highways. 139 really surprised me. From maps it looked as though it would be a fairly flat, boring desert road. It turned out to be one of my favorite stretches of the whole trip. Not very many people on the road and beautiful desert mountains and surprisingly green. Some gnarly hills and switch backs but definitely worth it.
The Uinta Mountains of Utah. 100+ degrees with 8% grades and crazy drivers was not a very fun time. Engine got fairly hot which is not surprising so we had to pull over quite a bit. If you're looking to put your bus to the test there is no better place than the Uintas.
Camping in some tiny town in Wyoming. Decided to treat ourselves to a KOA.
Hitting the smoke outside of Salmon, Idaho.
My mom has always wanted to go to Montana so we had to take this photo in from of the sign! Montana definitely took my breath away.
Camping north of Missoula, Mt. Right as we opened the sliding door a black bear and her cub came running towards the river right by us. Gave us a little scare but was cool to see nonetheless.
Thompson Falls, MT.
Spent an afternoon in Sandpoint, Idaho. Super cool town. Saw more buses in Sandpoint than I had seen the whole trip. Felt like a surf town in the middle of nowhere.
I have an Aunt and Uncle in Winthrop, WA that we were going to stay with and head through Washington on highway 20 but we unfortunately got turned back by the fire. They started to evacuate Winthrop and Twisp literally right as we got there. Super sad to see all the worried faces and later learn the news of the three firefighters that lost their lives. Luckily my Aunt and Uncles house is still standing. Had to backtrack about 150 miles down to stevens pass. Stayed the night in Leavenworth, WA which was a super amazing town.
Outside Bellingham, WA. Washington has definitely my favorite place we visited on the trip. Loved the mixture of ocean and mountains and how green it is! This photo was taken along the beautiful highway 11 along the coast.
The trip took six days total of driving. We tried to average about 300 miles a day taking our time and seeing the sights. We arrived in Abbotsford in one piece and the border crossing was super straight forward. The bus was INSANELY reliable. Not one hiccup the whole trip even though I was working her really hard. Happy with the gas mileage considering the load and heat. The bus consumed about 2 quarts of oil on the trip.Now that I'm at sea level the 1600 feels about the same as my 1835 did at 7,600ft. There's no way I can show in pictures or describe in words what it is like to travel cross country in a 40-year old vehicle. The stories and memories are countless. Meet lots of cool people along the way and heard lots of Volkswagen stories, it's amazing to feel like part of a bigger community. For anyone thinking of hitting the open road leave your doubts behind and do it![/img] _________________ '70 Hardtop Camper 1600 w/ dual kaddies |
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71whitewesty Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2010 Posts: 1543 Location: oregon
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Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 7:30 am Post subject: |
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Great trip and write up (and photos!).
You're right that it's hard to describe the awesomeness of road trips in a bus. Keep the dream alive! (And do well in school). _________________ 71 Westy 1600 DP, all stock Bus 1
1970's Snow Trac 1600 SP (sold 12/2016)
1968 Tucker sno cat, sold 2021
1969 Tucker Sno cat 542
2017 VW Alltrac
71 tin top stock 1600 DP (project but runs)
Twin 71 White Westy, Bus 2, that I pulled from a 15 year slumber in a dry eastern WA field in 2015.
1966 Sundial Camper "Boomer" |
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Bala Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003 Posts: 2613 Location: Austin, TX
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Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 7:35 am Post subject: |
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That looks like it was an amazing trip! Thanks for sharing!
Oh, and get a front brake. _________________ 1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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samroon Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2013 Posts: 98 Location: Durango, CO
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Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 2:55 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks guys. Yeah I just built that fixie and I'm still getting used to no brake lol. Loving school so far and everyone in the outdoor program loves the bus. _________________ '70 Hardtop Camper 1600 w/ dual kaddies |
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richparker Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2011 Posts: 6979 Location: Durango, CO
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Bala Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003 Posts: 2613 Location: Austin, TX
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Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2015 7:13 am Post subject: |
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Just messing with you...kind of. I ride an '86 Raleigh converted to fixed. It does have a front brake, and I'm great full to have it. My chain has popped off, only once, but I don't even want to think about what would have happened if I didn't have that brake to stop me.
Anyway, again, awesome trip! _________________ 1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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richparker Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2011 Posts: 6979 Location: Durango, CO
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Bala Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2003 Posts: 2613 Location: Austin, TX
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Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 8:12 am Post subject: |
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richparker wrote: |
Fixie + front brake = many trips over the bars |
Not if you use it correctly. Trust me, if you are peddling along at a pretty good clip towards a busy intersection and your chain pops off you will be glad to have it!
OP, any more pix? _________________ 1976 Westy
1966 Beetle |
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samroon Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2013 Posts: 98 Location: Durango, CO
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Posted: Mon May 02, 2016 7:45 pm Post subject: Re: Road Trippin' to B.C. |
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Hello Samba members!
Wanted to let all of you guys know that my first year of College has ended in British Columbia and I will be heading home to Durango, CO for the summer in my 1970 Camper. I'm currently prepping Arthur for the journey and packing my bags! I made the journey up here with out any incident and hope that I can pull that off again. This time I will be traveling alone, which I am a little nervous about crossing the country by myself in a 40-year old car. Engine is doing good and I've taken it all over the place up here in BC and Washington. Before I leave I've been adjusting the valves, changing the oil, checking the brakes, adjusting the timing, checking spark plugs, etc. Engine is a 1600dp with dual kadrons and a 009 with mostly other stock parts. I know that if anything happens along the way I have a great group of VW lovers who are willing and able to help! I will try my best to update while on the move... _________________ '70 Hardtop Camper 1600 w/ dual kaddies |
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Danwvw Samba Member
Joined: July 31, 2012 Posts: 8892 Location: Oregon Coast
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samroon Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2013 Posts: 98 Location: Durango, CO
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Posted: Mon May 02, 2016 7:58 pm Post subject: Re: Road Trippin' to B.C. |
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Here's the most recent photo of Arthur taking advantage of some BC sun and climbing the chief!
Thanks danvw! I doubt I will be heading down the Oregon coast but thanks for the offer! _________________ '70 Hardtop Camper 1600 w/ dual kaddies |
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richparker Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2011 Posts: 6979 Location: Durango, CO
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Stuartzickefoose Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008 Posts: 10350 Location: SoCal for now...
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2016 10:20 am Post subject: Re: Road Trippin' to B.C. |
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Hit me up when you roll through Everett WA
206-841-7324 _________________ Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
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samroon Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2013 Posts: 98 Location: Durango, CO
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2016 2:30 pm Post subject: Re: Road Trippin' to B.C. |
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Yeah my family moved to Durango this winter, super stoked to be in that area!!!
Currently in Leavenworth, WA and the bus made it over the pass slowly but surely. I seem to be having a problem starting the bus when it is hot. If I turn it off really fast and then start it again it will work, but when I fill up gas or go into the store whenever I come back out it take a while to get it going. Right now I'm at a gas station in Leavenworth letting it cool off cause it won't start. Engine doesn't seem to be to hot with my gauge reading stone 195 and I can touch the dipstick. Any thoughts? _________________ '70 Hardtop Camper 1600 w/ dual kaddies |
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Wasted youth Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2012 Posts: 5134 Location: California's Hot and Smoggy Central Valley
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2016 7:20 pm Post subject: Re: Road Trippin' to B.C. |
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Completely missed this thread... So glad to read about an excellent road trip!
First, let's clarify:
A) Engine will not crank or turn over for awhile with key on START.
B) Engine immediately cranks/turns over, but takes awhile to catch and run.
If B), is it possible the carburetor bowl is leaking down when you get stopped?
Does your oil smell like gas? |
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samroon Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2013 Posts: 98 Location: Durango, CO
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2016 9:57 pm Post subject: Re: Road Trippin' to B.C. |
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Update: I am currently at a Walmart in Hermiston, Oregon where I will be staying. After letting the bus cool for a bit in Leavenworth it started back up and I was on my way. Bus drove good from Leavenworth all the way to Hermiston.
When I turn the key the motor will crank for four or five seconds and then somewhat fire and die. After a couple more tries it will sometimes work but it won't always and once it starts up it takes some work to get it going. After this rough startup it purrs like a kitten. Might be vapor lock? It's mostly a problem when stopping for gas and I can't get out of people's way. I had to push it in Leavenworth. _________________ '70 Hardtop Camper 1600 w/ dual kaddies |
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Tcash Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2011 Posts: 12844 Location: San Jose, California, USA
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2016 10:17 pm Post subject: Re: Road Trippin' to B.C. |
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If you have points. File and clean the points and reset your dwell.
Take a whiff of your dipstick if it smells like gas, the gas tank is gravity feeding and flooding the engine. Hold the gas pedal to the floor and see if it starts faster.
Tcash wrote: |
Hi
Carburetor needle and seat cleaning
As suggested if your oil smells like gas, change your oil.
Start it up and pinch the fuel hose that goes to the carb. When it starts to falter release the fuel pressure.
This most times will wash any debris off the float needle and seat.
Good Luck
Tcash |
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samroon Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2013 Posts: 98 Location: Durango, CO
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Posted: Fri May 06, 2016 9:35 am Post subject: Re: Road Trippin' to B.C. |
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Made it to Durango! Made the push from Snowville, UT all the way to Durango with a short stop in Moab for some climbing with some buddies. Yesterday I went roughly 510 miles which took a long time in a loaded down bus pushing against a headwind in Utah. I didn't take very many pictures because this trip was not really a fun trip, just a get home in one piece kind of trip. Durango area has some hills! To get to my house I have to make a pretty substantial 5 miles hill climb up a dirt road, pretty fun but slow in the bus. There is a lot of Vanagons and buses in the Durango area! Can't wait to meet all the bus guys in the area and go on some trips!I think some old friends of mine in the San Luis Valley Air-cooled Club will be coming out to Durango soon, maybe we can arrange a little get together.
I think my compression is a little low in cylinder number 3. Didn't have very much power on the way home and when I take off the number 3 spark plug the engine doesn't seem to be affected very much. Gonna be doing some more investigating once I'm all settled in and might start thinking about rebuilding the 1835 that I have sitting around. Thanks for all the help and tips along the way! _________________ '70 Hardtop Camper 1600 w/ dual kaddies |
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richparker Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2011 Posts: 6979 Location: Durango, CO
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Globespotter Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2012 Posts: 1770 Location: Newmarket, ON
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