In a message dated 10/4/01 12:38:43 PM, ejstevens@EARTHLINK.NET writes:

<< I have to drive to NYC this weekend and I will undoubtably be using 1 or 2
parking garages.

I will be away on an Indian Guides cabin camping trip in NJ with my 8 year
old son and bringing the 84 Westfalia camper would be perfect for the stuff
I have to bring and the cooking we are planning to do with 7 other dads and
their sons. But I have to make an 8 hour trip into Manhattan on Saturday and
then back to the NJ cabin.

If I recall correctly there have been numerous incidents of roof damage in
garages and I do not want to become one.  My choices seem to be:

1   -I have another vehicle I can bring (1999 Honda Odyssey) that would not
present the same potential problems. A no brainer.

2   -Trying to make the Westie a fool proof parking job. [ never
underestimate the power of a fool!]

I have an 84 Wolfsberg Westfalia that my owners guide says is 80.7 inches
tall (6 ft 8.7 inches). Since I will have the vent down, I'll say it is 6 ft
10 inches for safety sake.  How does that compare with Manhattan garages?
I'll certainly pay attention to signs and height bars at the street
entrance.

In addition I was thinking of writing a sign that says

WARNING - THIS IS A TALL VEHICLE
THAT NEEDS SPECIAL CARE.  IT IS
6 FT 10 INCHES TALL.  IF YOU
DAMAGE THE ROOF IT WILL BE YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY TO FIX IT
AND IT WILL BE VERY EXPENSIVE.

Allowing for English as a second language I will write it out.  I would show
this to the attendant and request special parking considerations. Aren't
they responsible for this type of damage?

Any recommendations, caveats and suggestions are appreciated? Should I
seriously leave the bus home and have a second rate camping experience with
my son just because I am concerned.

I am going to be really upset if anything happens to my van in a Manhattan
parking garage.
 >>

Ed, 
Chill out, parking and driving around NYC in your Westy is not a big deal.
First of all, there are almost as many parking LOTS with no roof or door to 
cause concern, as there are muliti level garages.
Secondly, even though a parking attendant may know more than one languge, he 
is a parking professional who is regularly charged with parking cars many 
times more expensive than ours, and he knows the limitations of the garage in 
which he works. Besides, I think most of the roof rash jobs are done by the 
owners themselves.
Thirdly, unless you are going to midtown or are late to your appointment, 
park on the street, save the twenty five bucks and buy your Westy a few I 
Love NY stickers.
I regularly drive my a westy into NYC and almost never use a parking garage 
or lot, and if I do I may point out that my Syncro Westy with 15 inch rims 
and BFG ATs with a Yakima rack may sit a tad higher than most minivans, but I 
would NEVER threaten them with a sign written in all upper case, because this 
will certainly invite some inventive mischief.
Even with out of state plates, I think you’ll be fine on the street, drive 
around a few blocks of your destination and you can usually find a place to 
park all day(read the signs), maybe park uptown all day and take a cab or 
subway to any other place, or go ahead and park in a lot or garage, but dont 
get too worked up about it.

have fun,

Raul Cisneros
Nyack, NY