Date: Fri, 7 Jun 2013 09:57:24 -0400
Reply-To: Frank Romano <fromano99@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Frank Romano <fromano99@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Driving a Vanagon or any RV fast.
In-Reply-To: <BAY152-DS14284A97F13EF9840F55EA0990@phx.gbl>
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I have wondered what the prevailing wisdom is for driving highway speeds in
a 1.9 l 84 westy. At 65 mph. The speed reads 80 and I feel like thats about
the limit. I do not have a tach so I am not sure what my rpms are at 65
mph. I am still running 14 inch wheels.
Is it ok to run hours at 6 5 mph in my much loved VANGOGO?
On Jun 7, 2013 8:56 AM, "Dennis Haynes" <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Many of us work not only full time but often very demanding jobs. Then some
> of us even have family and side line obligations. While I enjoy traveling,
> especially the driving and sightseeing part there are times I/we simply
> have
> to get there. Just last week I went to Busses By Natural Bridge. This was a
> 470 mile trip each way. I has a challenge getting the Friday off. Once past
> NY traffic I needed to "make tracks' to get down there and enjoy the
> weekend. Generally I stay right and middle lanes and keep up with traffic.
> Most of the trip was done at 65-75 mph. With my need for frequent stops and
> a shopping diversion it was still almost 10 hours. There were a few hills
> that slowed my down to 60 or so and I still felt that I was in someone's
> way. I find this stressful.
>
>
>
> I grew up with Busses and Bugs. I learned to drive and took my road test in
> a 67 splittie. I had a few bays. When we got our first Vanagon, an 84 with
> the 1.9L, it was like oh my gosh, I can go as fast as I need in comfort! I
> can even stop and steer (not aim) it. I never looked back. Back in those
> days we had the 55 mph speed limit and the early Vanagons especially the
> Diesels were designed around that limit. For some those vehicles are fine
> but the lack of power is probably the main reason these never really sold.
>
>
>
>
> For many reasons I really like the Vanagon. For a van type vehicle there is
> nothing that offers some level of modern performance that is so
> serviceable.
> Yes, serviceable. What other van type vehicle can have the complete drive
> line removed in your front yard without a hoist or exotic equipment? Know
> how to use a multi meter and a pressure gauge and you can fix anything that
> happens. How about that almost bullet proof suspension? Just look at the
> number of people that get into these things having no repair experience
> later becoming fully self-sufficient. Sure they have some quirks and some
> parts are expensive but overall how many other vehicles 25 years and older
> with hundreds of thousands of miles get pushed into service for cross
> country trips and living space?
>
>
>
> However after all that is said if they couldn't travel at normal speeds I
> probably wouldn't own them.
>
>
>
> Dennis
>
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