On Jan 5, 2007, at 11:44 AM, Malcolm Stebbins wrote:

> --- "Burdett, Jean-Pierre" <jp.burdett@SPOTWAVE.COM> wrote:
>> So how many of you here have experienced roadside
>> mechanical problems that required some big work or messed up your
>> vacation? How did U handle it? Or are most road trips stress free?
>
> I have never! had a trouble free vanagon trip over 2,000 kms.  BUT!
> nothing ever breaks twice! I
> get each item fixed right/correctly.  .......

Whoa,  I must be lucky or good looking or both, but I  have had
numerous trips of 3-6K miles w/o any breakdown, glitch at all in the
84 westy when it  was 18-23 years old.

All else said, Malcolm's points on dealing w/ problems are right on!

Other than tools, a bentley manual, my best mind savers are a cell
phone, AAA RV Plus card, & a gas can on the roof rack.

The reason that I probably don't have many breakdowns, knock on wood,
is that anytime something falters, I fix or have it fixed before the
next trip, & there is no substitute for regular maintenance, high
quality parts, service.

Tom B.- replacing oil, O2 sensor, sliding door handle today, for
BBBXI trip next week.