Date:         Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:15:05 -0700
Reply-To:     Neil2 <vidublu@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Neil2 <vidublu@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Maiden Voyage of the Weisel (Westy Diesel)
Comments: To: pyjme@aol.com
In-Reply-To:  <8CA7900A6B88D75-3B0-8@FWM-D20.sysops.aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

OK Volks,

Now that I think I'll make the hills, it sounds as if I shouldn't take any
more than necessary.  I don't really want to use the Westy's propane tank
much (Don't ask why, please!)  I've got a heavy Camp Chief (think iron,
attached pic, weighing in around 40-50#s) two burner stove and a 5g tank I
was planning to use at some sites, which I planned to take.  Along with a
roll up camping table (about 3x3) which weighs at least 30-40#s, three fold
up chairs (at 5-10#s each) along with a day backpack (40+ #s).  Of course
we'll have clothing, bedding, food, a cooler (to stand in for the 'anchor'
VW installed!), you get the picture.

Should I forget about the Camp Chief/propane/table and chairs?  I need to
make a good impression (MPH) on the children.  They didn't know we had this
stepchild in the family until this morning!

I already ditched the snow saw, harness, helmet, crampons and ice screws and
me beloved Bocce set!
Just kidding.

Neil2


On 4/30/08, Peter Young <pyjme@aol.com> wrote:
>
> Have you ever driven I-5 south over Dexter pass/Siskyous Mt's? If you have
> done so
> without issue or know about them already then you have been over the most
> hilly
> sections of I-5 between Grass Pants and San Fran. I just went to Yosemite
> this
> March in my air-cooled '81 full westy and easily made those passes at 45
> mph (hwy
> 120 into Yosemite was a different story). I have heard that the 1.6 liter
> diesel is
> underpowered compared to the wasserboxers, but I don't know how it
> compares to
> my air-cooled 2.0 liter. I would just recommend NOT filling the water tank
> until after
> you climb the passes, and to lighten the load as much as possible (don't
> buy food
> until near destination?) so that the van doesn't have to work as hard. I
> weighed my
> van on my way back and it came to 4,350 lbs without water and no
> passengers -
> add about 100 lbs for the water and whatever your passengers weigh. That's
> a lot of
> weight for such a small engine! Have a safe trip, and good luck on the
> terrain!
>
> Peter
>



--
Neil
'82 Diesel Westy
Me other car is Swedish