this is hardly a guys only list, though there are more of us, it's cause our woves/SO's are smarter and let us get bloody knuckles and greasey. 
and they still get to enjoy the vans.. 

as for the put em up for winter thoughts.. 2 things..
most of us don't have a beauty as a Syncro westy.. for all winter traction/fun
and we've put too much time/$$ into our vans to risk them in a daily drive on slippery roads and an 16 year olds first winter driving experiance
the risks aren't worth our vans.. thats what they make $1200 cars for.. in upstate NY anyways.. 
if I hop in the camper it'll only see snow for half a day as I drive south.. otherwise covered and primed for spring. 

vanagons are 10-20 years old and just don't come back from the dead soo easily.. even a minor fenderbender often totals a prized van and makes it one less on the road.. to enjoy. 

but still WOW a synchro westy chick..  looking for a mechanic?  *smiles. 

Date:    Mon, 6 Oct 2003 17:21:32 -0600
From:    JOHN WESTENBERG <mjjwest02@MSN.COM>
Subject: Re: winterizing

I do not know how I got on this mailing list as it seems to be guys =
only, but I have been reading the mailings and now I have a question. =
Why put a van away for the winter? I am getting my first van in a week =
or two, a 1989 syncro camper, and I was planning to drive it year round.
    If you choose to answer, Thank you.
    Barbara in Montana