what to take - what would you take

[J Charlton]

We're planning about a 3500km 2 week trip to the Gaspe region in early July. Our newly aquired '85 westy seems to be in good shape - I haven't driven it more than a couple of hundred Km since getting it. I'll be doing some more on it before leaving - replacing the fridge, adding a second battery, adding a fifth seat etc etc.
What I'd like to know is from the perspective of experienced westy campers, what are the essential tools and other bits and pieces (not camping related) that you would take with you. I don't want to take all of my tools, but I want to take a reasonable estimation of "enough" Any replacement bits and pieces that should be taken along

[mightyart]

Before you replace anything like the fridge, you should go over the engine and the drivetrain, and replace any worn or suspect parts.
I've seen it happen a few times on the board, one member comes to mind.
They talked about their dream of traveling the country, redid the inside of the van, had it painted, and did very little to the engine, and sure as shit they broke down a couple hundred miles from home.
If you fix it up right you won't really have to worry about what you need to take as much as what you want to take.

[Perales]

If you are planning to camp at Parc Forillon in Gaspe, you NEED a reservation!!!
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/qc/forillon/index_E.asp
The camping is great there and the park is magnificent but reservations are a must.
Make sure you take your Bentley. That way, even if you can't fix whatever goes wrong, most decent mechanics, even if they don't know Vanagons, can do a pretty good job in a pinch.
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-- 1987 Westfalia automatic (Captain Vino)

[danfromsyr]

try to time your travel with the Quebec Westfalia camping club grand campout
http://westfalia.qc.ca/activites.aspx

easy to hook up with like minded folk, get maintenance and tech assistance as well as possible travel buddy for part of the trip in caravan.

replace or repack CV joints, axles and bearings. as well as rubber boots and seals. replace or repack front tie rods.

check and be happy with ALL 5 tires.

inspect EVERY IN OF COOLING HOSES underneath. inspect and replace clamps that would be difficult to handle on the side of the road.
CLEAN ALL electrical GROUNDS esp the trans ground and cluster under the dash, and on the engine.

clean all battery to starter connections, if you don't want to service items in your driveway. how are you going to feel about them when on a trip?
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[bucko]

Anytime you plan to take a vehicle on a trip, and the vehicle is questionable in the area of it's mechanics, do this:

Make it your "driver" for about a week or two. Drive it to work every day, to the store, to where ever you need to go. Do this for at least a week. If there are any 'questionable" issues pertaining to the driveability of the vehicle, they will pop up during this time, which will be more convienient to repair then when you are on a vacation.
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Current VW drives: 1984 Westfalia

Past VW drives: 1967 Beetle, 1973 Beetle, 1977 Bus, 1971 Military Type 181

[Wildthings]

[tikibus]

Bucko is on the money!!

I drive mine everyday during the Summer. I get to know the clicks and the clacks, the wizz-bangs and farts. She knows me, I know her.

Only thing I would add to the pile of stuff is Listed above:

Spare Fuel Pump.
Beer Money.



_________________
Happy Trails!
Mark
______________
Founding member of the Empire State VW Camping Club.
http://www.empirevwcamping.org/
1984 Westy - Tiki
1997 Honda Civic -The Green Hornet
1971 Volvo P-1800E- needs TLC

[J Charlton]

Thanks guys - ththese are the sort of suggestions that I was hoping for. I will be driving the van extensively once the snow and ice have disapeared around here (Toronto). I don't want to expose the body (which is great) to the salt that our roads are loaded with.
I know that I have a leak in my expansion tank, I think its cracked around the seam, I'll replace it, bleed etc. The van was purported to have all new coolant lines when I bought it - all that I can see certainly look new and in good shape, I'll certainl;y go over them all very carefully.
I have most of the tools mentioned above and I will aquire the fluids etc from the top list. What I don't have I'll just have to buy (of course I need it dear, its on the list!!!)
I've had 3 bugs and 2 aircooled vans in the past so I know that once I begin to work on one thing it will lead to another and another - I also know that its way better to be prepared and have nothing happen than to be unprepared no matter what happens.
Keep the suggetions coming, I'm sure that its not just I who will find them useful.
JC

[tikibus]

Hot Snot! Gotta show the Vanagon!

The True Canadian Winter Campout '08 is just around the corner.

Feb. 16th/17th Valens Conservation Area, outside Hamilton.

I'll be there. Last year was a blast! -17C, but good people, good food, good times, makes the Cold go away!

Check the link below my Sig.

Cheers! Don't worry if you don't want to take your Vanagon out just yet, just gotta put a VW emblem on the ride you got and you'll be welcome
_________________
Happy Trails!
Mark
______________
Founding member of the Empire State VW Camping Club.
http://www.empirevwcamping.org/
1984 Westy - Tiki
1997 Honda Civic -The Green Hornet
1971 Volvo P-1800E- needs TLC

[Randy in Maine]

If you are cruising the north side over to Saguenay to see the belugas, take your kayaks, some good binoculars, and your camera.

If you are crossing over to Trois-Pistoles, get to the ferry early in the day.

We also took some extra lawn chairs, some sharp cheddar, and met lots of great folks out there and generally had a great time.

That lighthouse at Gaspe is quite a hike to get to but worth it. Literally tons of whales right off shore.

We saw quite a few Westies on our trip.

[bucko]

[Wildthings]

It all fit quite nicely under one section of the middle seat. Even had a pair of boots and some other items stuffed in there as well.

[Perales]

[kevinbassplayer]

I carry all that and more!

[klucz]

Yeah, when I travel longer distances I carry more or less what Wildthings listed and most of it fits under the rear seat, too. I also take an oil drain pan, local shops will usually let me use a spot behind their shop to change the oil/filter and will take the old oil. I also take along 2 jack stands, but I'll admit that the Westy is packed to the limit at that point. I do travel alone though, with my dog that is. One thing I plan on doing differently in the future is finding a better jack. Using the stock one in uneven terrain is too sketchy.

[Wildthings]

[climberjohn]

[Raynor Shine]

I always have a 24" breaker bar , a 12v air compressor and a pair of gloves. I can keep filling if I get a flat some where until I get to a station.

I carry a bag of tools not as many as Wildthings, but close. I don't have them stashed under the seat due to camping gear. So they are basically in the way, on the floor.

[bmwloco]

I drive my '85 daily.

It's set up and ready to go camping at any moment. Down sleeping bags, a teapot and whatever else is necessary for a meal.

Last weekend I drove to a mate's house, he let me in his fortress gate, and I slept like a proverbial log that night. Got up the next morning to clean up the party zone, got in my Westy, dropped the top and motored home.

Gotta love a well sorted Westfalia.

Viva la Pop Tops!
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'85 Vanagon Westfalia

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