Julianna,

Would you mind doing this again (just so that we all understand the exact
technique)?  Photos would, of course, be quite beneficial.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: "Julianna Thoennes" <mumbrue@HOME.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2001 2:30 PM
Subject: Parking Garage tale

> I got stuck in a parking garage last June in Denver.  (I was attending a
> conference)  I didn't have any damage, because I stopped in time, but it
is
> quite the story.  There was plenty of room to drive in and park.  The
> problem arose when I attempted to leave the lot.  I pulled forward to the
> gate, and saw that I might have a problem with a water pipe that ran
across
> the roof.  I mentioned this to the attendant, and he assured me that if I
> got in, that I could get out.  Well he was wrong!  I drove cautiously
> forward, and heard a tink, when my roof rack bumped the water pipe.  Of
> course!  I got out, and assesed my situation, and decided that it would be
> best to remove the rack.  At this point, the attendant is yelling at me to
> move my van through!  I am trying to tell him that I am stuck, but he
spoke
> a differant language, and couldn't understand me.  I am in a long dress of
> course!  It is somewhere in the upper 90's.   I climb up top, and squeeze
> into the space to remove the box rack.  (I am not a small woman) I was
> having difficulty with all the cloth in the dress, so I climbed back down.
> There are about 10 or more cars waiting to get out, and they are irritated
> too.  I was very flustered!  The attendant continued to yell at me to move
> my van.  There are several other people that were yelling that they were
> late, and to hurry up.  Only one person offered to help.  I finally step
> into my camper, and pull out a t-shirt.  I have bike shorts on, but no
bra.
> There is no way to be private at this point, so I just whip off my dress
and
> throw on the t-shirt.  It was great!  LOL   Everyone stopped yelling, and
> ran back to their vehicles.  I got the rack off in no time without all
that
> fabric, and moved on my way.
>
> Julianna
> 90 VW Vanagon Westfalia
> 76  VW Automatic Bay Westfalia
> 74 VW Beetle
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ed Stevens" <ejstevens@EARTHLINK.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2001 6:26 AM
> Subject: Driving into NYC and using a parking Garage
>
>
> > 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.
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Sincerely,
> > Ed Stevens
> > Valley Forge PA
> >
>