RE:  Good trip experience
From 1995 through 2002, every year, I did a trip from Seattle to So
Cal (up into the mountains) and back in my Westy (First an '85, then a
'90 in 2002).  With extended side trips going and coming in several
years, these trips ran form 3,100 to 4,100 miles at a time, over a two
to four week period.  I NEVER needed a tow and NEVER had to find a
repair shop.  (Did add an extra hose clamp on a cooling line going to
the radiator once on the '85.) And I was dealing with an overheating
problem in the '85 most of that time (turned out to be a bad
radiator).  Although I don't recommend it, I can say that at least the
1.9L engine is much more tolerant to overheating than you might
expect, a lot of white knuckle time going over mountain passes.  This
also includes several years with the wrong tires because I didn't know
any better.  Ask about 'max stupidity' sometime....
If the vehicle has been maintained right, by a mechanic that knows
what he is doing and knows the Vanagon, then you can expect your
Vanagon to be as reliable (maybe more so) as any other 15 to 20 year
old vehicle.  The weak spots (like any other vehicle, talk to a pro
mechanic) are known and understood and a wealth of information is
available here and on other Vanagon/Westfalia related internet lists.
And also talk to any RV owner that is running a 20 year old Class B or
Class C RV.  My barber and I compare notes and I think she has spent
about $10,000 in the last three years on her rig.
Enough said.  Have it checked out, get in and drive.  Don't push the
equipment beyond normal use (the Red Line is there for a reason), take
you time, enjoy the trip as much as the destination.  If the
destination were the only thing, we'd all fly.....