I am from Oregon, and we drove across the country to visit my family in
Florida.  We took 8 days to drive down, and 5 to drive back.  We were gone
almost a month.  During the trip, we did had leakage problems, but as long
as we kept the inner water tank filled, we didn't overheat, and this was in
August.  I view most problems as an adventure.  Even my husband, who really
doesn't think much of VW's, said that it was a great trip, and that he would
be willing to do it again.  The security is AAA plus, and a cell phone.
Then if something does happen, you can get your Vanagon towed somewhere safe
to work on it.  The other security measure is taking along the AIRS list, or
the LiMBO list.  There are many people out there willing to help out.  Even
lend you their shower.  I believe in a little bit of luck.  If you have your
bases covered, it is less likely something will happen.

Buying a Vanagon Westfalia is one of the best purchases we have ever made.
I call it my ultimate mom mobile.  If the kids get dirty, I clean them up in
the sink.  I always have the Van stocked with clean clothing.  I have snacks
in the cuboard, and if we are waiting somewhere, there's a loft for them to
play in.  We go camping all the time, sometimes spur of the moment!  It
makes it so easy to just jump in and go!

Of course, it is probably worthwhile to take time to get to know your new
vehicle before taking it on a long trip.  I think you will be very happy
owning a Westfalia, not just for camping, but for everyday use.  Turns on a
dime too!

Julianna
90 VW Vanagon Westfalia
76  VW Automatic Bay Westfalia

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Whitby" <rpwhitby@MINDSPRING.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2002 7:49 PM
Subject: Am I crazy?

Delurking here to get a bit of advice. I am considering the purchase of a
1987 Westy, A/C auto. The body is in very nice shape, interior is squeaky
clean. Original engine. 155,000 miles. Some head work done, I'm not exactly
sure what. And now the question:
Am I crazy to be buying this thing with the expectation that it will take
me, the wife, and two kids on a 8,000-mile plus tour of the east coast and
Canada? I've owned many VWs in the past, but never a WBX. I am mechanically
inclined, as all VW owners either are or will be at some point. I don't mind
doing the work, in fact I enjoy it. However I'm too old to see much romance
in being stuck by the side of the road, wife cursing and kids screaming,
while the Westy boils over. I know a lot depends on condition and prior
maintenance blah blah blah. Just tell me if indeed a trip like this is some
kind of flashback and I should get a F*rd, or indeed if this is still doable
in this day and age.
With much anxiety over joining the WBX crowd,
Bob W