About 12 years ago I drove my 83.5 Vanagon GL 3/4's loaded (the van not
me)from Stratton Maine to Spokane Washington in 65 hours.  I shut it off for
gas, fluid checks and hot coffee.  I also shut it off once for about an hour
in Ohio to get the exhaust repaired.  At that time, it had 65K on the
original engine and tranny.  The heads were leaking a little on one side so
I always kept the system full. The temp needle never went into the dreaded
RED zone even when climbing the Rockies.  Granted it wasn't a Westy but I
pushed it hard to make my appointment in Spokane.  I don't recommend this
kind of extreme driving.  I was a coffee sucking road zombie after the first
10 hours.  I slept/rested for two days before continuing to Seattle.  Go for
it Gerry!  May The List be with you.

Andrew

Andrew G. Martin
Gloucester, MA 01930
agmartin@gis.net
85 Westy

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Royston, Jerry
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 12:06 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: How hard can you push a Westy?

I need some advice.  I'm thinking about going up to Newfoundland from the DC
area and would have to travel a good 1,100 miles in 2 days to make it
worthwhile.  Is this too much to ask of a Westy?  The most I've driven in
one day so far has maybe been 300 miles with no problems.  Can you run a
Westy at 65 or 70 for 8 hours a day or for that matter at 50 for 10 hours?
I just don't want to push the van beyond its limitations.

Gerry Royston
'87 Westy
Bethesda, MD