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HoustonPhotog
Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013
Posts: 1514
Location: Houston, TX
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madspaniard
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
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 Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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For what it is worth I didn't feel any animosity and I hope I didn't come across as being that way. I've been in this forum long enough to respect a lot of these folks for what the have offered to this community and they continue to do do on a daily basis. In this case there is no right or wrong, just different approaches to a situation. Heck, myself I'm not even sure I would approach exactly the same situation in the same way if presented with it multiple times.
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1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7757
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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Risk, schmisk. We all risk our lives every time we get outta bed; at least
you did something AWESOME, with the potential for long-term rewards!
Welcome to the club - see you on the road!
- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16505
Location: Brookeville, MD
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imdbui
Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2014
Posts: 87
Location: Aloha, OR
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks everyone!
Just about to finish up my Monday - really feeling the lack of sleep from the all night drive. I guess after all the adrenaline and caffeine wore off, I just slammed into the wall. I haven't even unloaded the van yet. I've been daydreaming of the highest priority maintenances that I'd need to have finished before my first REAL road trip  .
Sounds like there's quite a bit of animosity about these types of runs. Which I can understand. I don't categorize myself as one of those surfer dudes who had a brilliant idea about buying a camper to chase the waves, but this was still spontaneous and risky. This wasn't my ideal intro into vanagon ownership - (I originally had it booked for shipment) but I'm stoked about the outcome and couldn't be happier that I stumbled upon a community of knowledgeable fanatics that would even take the time to try to educate me on what I was getting myself into. Some of you will defend your stance on the issue, and thats awesome, thats what a forum is for. My reason for making the trip was because the opportunity was presented for me, and I thought it was a good enough risk to take - and I'm happy I took it.
More risk = more fun? - Maybe not, but I'm certain that it would not have been as exciting if I were picking up a 2014 Toyota Sienna.  |
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backyard_cnc
Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2012
Posts: 385
Location: MANITOBA CANADA
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 6:20 pm Post subject: |
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I knew he'd make all along and didn't feel the need to offer advice 
These vans never break down............... 
Gerald |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7757
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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All good in the 'hood.
Welcome home!
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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madspaniard
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 5:46 pm Post subject: |
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| rsxsr wrote: |
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| With the right attitude breakdowns are the funnest part of your trip. |
Guess rather than working on the Van prior to a road trip, I should just work on my attitude. I did not know I have been missing out on all the fun. |
No need to get sensitive about this, different strides. You can work all you want on your van prior to a trip and still have a breakdown. These are old vans with old parts. No way to tell if that one piece of coolant hose is going to give up the ghost on the road, so I don't worry about it. I'll deal with it the best I can. I'm not saying you need to be negligent. To me the OP had the right attitude, how many cars on the road everyday? How many breakdowns? How many don't make it home in a reasonable time or manner? Just my opinion, worth as much as yours.
Oh, I met one of my ex-girlfriends dealing with a breakdown, lived together for two years so yes it can be fun.
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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Merian
Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014
Posts: 5212
Location: Orygun
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 5:21 pm Post subject: |
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Congrats!
Now you can perform all the safety related maintenance these Vans need in the comfort of your home.
I'm with Ahwanee & rxrs re the risks. |
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photonanc6
Samba Member
Joined: June 23, 2014
Posts: 14
Location: Cincinnati
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Dampcamper wrote: |
| Ahwahnee wrote: |
I'm still here and delighted that he chose to ignore my doubts, but...
For every grand adventure & happy ending like this there are several 'buy & drive' efforts that end in disaster. Usually they appeal here for help but some are simply never heard from again (the EV that blew a head gasket in Denver, the plastic wrap Westy that was going from FL to UT, etc)
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The classic Fleabay / cross-country drive story is on the Bay Window forum:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=84419&highlight=three+hippy+dudes
Bottomend (the author and guardian angel for the hippy dudes) wrote an entertaining narrative of the whole story. He gets my vote for the Heart Of Gold award for helping these guys out. In AA we call people like him "Enablers", how do we classify all the helpful souls on TheSamba? It really is a cool community.
Welcome home, you're in a great part of the World to own (and use) a Westy |
Thanks for the link. I understand little of the technical discussion, but understand enough to appreciate the humor. |
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highaltidude
Samba Member
Joined: July 18, 2005
Posts: 219
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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Congratulations!!!!!
The people that stay home don't have good stories to tell around the campfire!!!
Chuck
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66 Double Cab
83 Vanagon Westfalia, Vanistan'd |
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Dampcamper
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2013
Posts: 788
Location: Rainy Portland, Oregon
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Ahwahnee wrote: |
I'm still here and delighted that he chose to ignore my doubts, but...
For every grand adventure & happy ending like this there are several 'buy & drive' efforts that end in disaster. Usually they appeal here for help but some are simply never heard from again (the EV that blew a head gasket in Denver, the plastic wrap Westy that was going from FL to UT, etc)
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The classic Fleabay / cross-country drive story is on the Bay Window forum:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=84419&highlight=three+hippy+dudes
Bottomend (the author and guardian angel for the hippy dudes) wrote an entertaining narrative of the whole story. He gets my vote for the Heart Of Gold award for helping these guys out. In AA we call people like him "Enablers", how do we classify all the helpful souls on TheSamba? It really is a cool community.
Welcome home, you're in a great part of the World to own (and use) a Westy |
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desertrefugee
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2013
Posts: 476
Location: Phoenix, AZ. USA
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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Well...this "was" a fun thread. It has moved now beyond fun.
Next.
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- 83.5 Westfalia - 2.2 GoWesty "power"
- a bunch of vintage motorcycles
- Numerous telescopes of various size and function
"For I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night." - Sarah Williams |
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17155
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 2:28 pm Post subject: |
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| With the right attitude breakdowns are the funnest part of your trip. |
Guess rather than working on the Van prior to a road trip, I should just work on my attitude. I did not know I have been missing out on all the fun.
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madspaniard
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 10:29 am Post subject: |
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I bought my Westy in August 2008, changed the brake master cylinder and put on bigger wheels and a couple weeks later I was in Baja California with the van. Never thought for a second what could go wrong and I didn't do a full crazy inspection. Took the van offroadiong for hours there too. The adventure begins when your leave home not when you get to your destination. With the right attitude breakdowns are the funnest part of your trip.
Oh, I also own a Toyota Sienna 
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16505
Location: Brookeville, MD
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17155
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 10:14 am Post subject: |
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The poster's asked for input. I attempt to help people with broken Vanagons everyday here on the Samba. The reality is, they break down and often the owner's understanding of their vehicle or the systems is very limited.
Our vanagon has made many cross country trips. The mechanicals are not the gamble for me. It is the yahoos out there sharing the road, weather, etc that are the uncertainty. I would not drive any vehicle on a trip that I did not expect to make it there and back. Does that make me less entitled to enjoy my Vanagon? I don't believe so.
And as I said, I am glad they made it.
Oh, and I should mention, I dropped a valve on my 68 camper many years ago and rebuilt it over a weekend in a carport . We were on our way for 3 weeks in the canyonlands. It flat out sucked, being on the shoulder of the tpk at 11pm, leaving our stuff, walking to the exit, calling a tow truck to meet us and walking back to the bus, having it towed way too fast for my taste, waking up the next morning, finding a bug house with heads and jugs, hitching a ride there, renting a jack and stands from Taylor rental, hitching a ride back, dropping the engine, splitting the case, taking the parts to the car wash, putting the engine back together, driving around town to borrow a timing light and then getting on the road two days later. Some adventure.
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Ahwahnee
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 9810
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 10:12 am Post subject: |
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| In my misspent youth I made a lot of money playing poker with optimists. |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7925
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 10:08 am Post subject: |
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| Ahwahnee wrote: |
| For every grand adventure & happy ending like this there are several 'buy & drive' efforts that end in disaster. |
Drove 300 miles, looked at and test drove van, bought it, drove it home the next day without a single issue (the bad tires, new oil leak thanks to PO taking it to Jiffy Lube that morning, and lousy headlights notwithstanding). The scariest, most nerve-wracking part of that little adventure: Driving my newly acquired van in Los Angeles rush-hour traffic! 
Every time we drive these things we're gambling with a break down, be it to the corner store or to a National Park 1500 miles away. Those who buy old cars not understanding or being prepared for that are in for a world of hurt. The OP came into ownership with the right attitude: Life is an adventure; sit back and enjoy the ride, hoping for the best, preparing for the worst. 
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~Kamz 
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
 1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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slobrewer
Samba Member
Joined: July 05, 2013
Posts: 65
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 9:54 am Post subject: |
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| rsxsr wrote: |
| You gambled and won. Congratulations. |
I tell myself this after just about every long trip in the Westy. Sometimes the odds are better and sometimes the odds are worse. But if you value certainty over gambling then the Westy (or any 25-30 year old vehicle) really isn't a good choice.
I'm not really trying to get you guys wound up but I'm just calling out that if someone is well prepared and willing to fail then I don't think the negativity seen here is helpful.
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White 1988 Vanagon Westfalia (Automatic, A/C, solar, aux battery, 15" GW wheels, 8' Fiamma awning, 63 qt. Edgestar fridge, homebrew on tap) |
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