Howdy list,
I'm about to take my first trip in my 85 GL, first trip ever in a
Vanagon. The van is as far as I know in good working order. The only
running problem is the coolant gauge isn't working, I'm sure that
scares the pants of a lot of you, but at least the fan thermoswitch is
working. I have no set schedule but probably leaving tomorrow (Sunday)
and going from Nashville, TN to Atlanta, GA.

Ok questions:
1. What speed is recommended for cruising? It can do over 70MPH but I
don't like how high the engine is revving to do it. This isn't too bad
a problem on I-24 in TN but once you hit I-75 in GA everyone flies like
a bat out of hell. Even the slow lane is going over 70MPH usually.
Cruise at 65 and hope for the best?

2. I have a bunch of tools and plan to take a good bit of them, but is
there anything I simply can't afford to forget?

3. In a worst case scenario, does anyone know of a good VW shop in the
Chattanooga area? At any time in the trip I should be within a hundred
miles of Atlanta, Nashville, or Chattanooga and I already know of shops
in Atlanta and Nashville.

4. Anyone else travelling in the vicinity? I'd love to meet other list
members and their vans.

Thanks for the help folks. I know this little trip is peanuts to most
of you but being my first in the van I want to plan it out a little.
The van has 5k on the engine, alternator, most belts, lots of the
hoses, new brakes, clutch, tires, etc so I have faith it will chug
along just fine but you never know.

Thanks,
Chris
85 GL