Well, as to route, what you want to see on your way and how long you have to make the trip
should be the determining factors.  Interstates are fast, further south is more heat in August,
and the climbs are worst in the middle.  As far as cheap and safe places to stay, check out the
AIRS list at this link.

http://www.type2.com/rescue/index2.html

Although started by the type 2 crowd, any VW owner traveling is welcome.  Because I am
strategically located near I10 and in an area out in the middle of nowhere (AZ near the NM
border) we get AIRS travelers camping here every couple of months.  Check it out.  There are
1600 or so people all over the US signed up to give support to VW travelers, ranging from a
place to stay or camp, food, tools, mechanical help, a shower, etc.

My solution for a hitch receiver on my '81 Westy was to have a local welding shop design and
fabricate a new rear bumper that bolts directly to the frame (beefed up connection) and has a
receiver built right in.  It works great and cost me $150 total about 4 years ago.  Should be
about 4 times that in NY, I suspect.  If you are interested, I can post a picture.

Bill in the Southwest

----- Original Message -----
From: "Shaggy" <shaggyinseattle@YAHOO.COM>

> just got engaged and am moving to El Segundo Ca (near
> LA) in august to be with my fiance'. I'm going to be
> driving my 82' Diesel westy out with her, any
> suggestions for which route is good for a diesel to
> drive cross country? any suggestions for a trailer
> hitch(class III)? I want to put one of those metal
> utility things on the back to put my 1963 Vespa on.
> Also neither one of us has done such a roadtrip, so
> ideas of safe places to pull over nad sleep for the
> night.