Date: Sun, 7 Jan 2007 20:53:46 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Vanagon Long trip Reliability
In-Reply-To: <20070107014047.94472.qmail@web51803.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
James Waldow wrote:
"come to think of it i cant think of anyone i have talked to that hasnt had
some kind of trouble on the road.....but dont forget these vehicals are
reaching 20years old or more......the same goes for other vehicals in the
time frame.........good maintenance is a must......most of us take good care
of our vans, and are happy to drive them on long trips.........."
Well, of course all these lists will have stories of someone breaking down
or needing help. That what the lists are for. I think that many folks think
that only Vanagons break down on trips. Just take a look at all the towing
companies around. Break downs are still a part of automotive life. Sure, the
Vanagon has some design deficiencies and being 20 years old with 200K miles
may not help, but almost anyone who travels any distance will have to deal
with breaking down far from home. Of course breakdowns are annoying and in a
bad location or weather can even be threatening, but to me, an accident is a
larger fear.
Long trips can be hard on vehicles, especially if specifically designed for
it. You will tend to drive faster, longer, harder, (hills). This will raise
temperatures, test the electrics for long periods, heating wires, switches.
Tires, wheel bearings get tested, etc. Things that work perfect normally may
not respond as well after being used for 12 hours straight.
I can tell you many stories of folks in non VW's getting stuck and having to
pay huge sums of $$ to get their ride running or home again. I have yet to
need to tow the Fun Bus home even as it approaches 250K on the original
engine but I still remember waiting for a Tow truck on I95 in Florida to tow
a 27" motor home that didn't even reach 40K. Day before Christmas eve! That
cost almost $900 for a fuel pump. Plus the tow and rental car for 4 days.
Yes, have you been stuck with a Ford Lately?
Anyway, I think the real goal is to have a plan to deal with an unknown.
There are so many spare parts you can carry and of course an engine or
tranny failure or rear wheel bearings will not be road side repairs. Have
tow insurance and have money available for the unknown. Think or options. A
u haul and trailer can get you and your bus anywhere.
By today's standards, the Vanagon is still fairly reasonable to maintain and
simple enough that most can do it or get it done. If you think $2k for a
tranny is to much ask some folks with newer cars. I know of a Ford Escape,
(2001) 75K miles just blew a tranny going from Maine back to New York that
died near Boston. Had it towed to dealer, almost $4k after tax and it still
wasn't right. He had had to bring it back to get the linkage fixed. You
need to maintain it, drive it within its limits, and be aware. Don't let a
radiator fan not working to cause a boil over. Drive and enjoy it, with
proper care and use, your old Vanagon can take you almost anywhere.
Dennis
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