Forge being dragged by his parents into a
Christmas store said, "Man, I love your van.  The
thing is freaking awesome."  So it seems that we can
have faith in the next generation.

As for this, i speak on behalf of the next generation (being one of them),
theres hope.

Great trip report.

-Craig
''85gl

On Nov 29, 2007 8:21 PM, Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Too late for the mileage survey in which I submitted
> 17.25 as my only trustworthy measurement made when the
> odometer worked for one whole tank, I made a pleasant
> discovery last week during a trip to the Smokies.
> With the odometer mysteriously operational I recorded
> four consecutive tanks in excess of 19 MPG with the
> average being 19.53 and I am very puzzled but will
> happily accept this.  For over 30 tanks since we
> bought the Westy I've not reliably known how far I can
> go on a fill up
>
> The PO reckoned about 17 MPG for the time she had it
> and I've never felt it to be much different and
> wondered at the figures mentioned in the survey.
> Everyone wants better gas economy, right?  The survey
> results so diligently compiled by Brother Squirrel,
> and his own mileage battle, made me wonder if
> improvement is possible.  The only thing I can say for
> sure is that I drove slower (60 and under) this trip
> but that must have been offset by numerous and lengthy
> 2nd and 3rd gear slogs in the mountains.  Whatever the
> case, I love it.
>
> And that is all the Vanagon activity to report in more
> than 1,200 miles of driving.  I saw a T5 Multivan in
> Gatlinburg and no other VW vans on the road, so was
> delighted when we passed Asheville Vee-Dubs TG night
> and saw their yard hosting a split, several bays and
> Vanagons, too.  That made the week.  One young guy in
> Pigeon Forge being dragged by his parents into a
> Christmas store said, "Man, I love your van.  The
> thing is freaking awesome."  So it seems that we can
> have faith in the next generation.
>
> Three mods done for the trip were the GoWesty
> headlight upgrade kit, memory foam mattress pads, and
> a little electric heater with fan.  The better lights
> were great and necessary.  Karen sewed some slipcovers
> for the pads we cut from a 70" X 80" 2-inch thick pad
> and they were much more comfy than the eggcrate foam
> pads we were using but surprisingly they take much
> longer to warm up.  We needed the heater the two
> nights we had shore power and could leave it on all
> night, which we are reluctant to do with the propane
> Mr. Heater.
>
> The rest of the trip was fine.  Fall colors, purty
> mountain views, good barbecue along the way and a week
> off.  What more do you need?
>
> Stephen
>
>
>
>
>
>
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