In which state does AAA offer a 200 mile plan? I would get at least the 100
mile plan for sure.
Florian

On Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 9:51 AM, Michael Diehr <md03@xochi.com> wrote:

> My travel partner is, to put it mildly, skeptical of our vanagon's
> ability to make a planned 1500 mile road trip this summer.   This is
> not without cause :  in the 6 prior trips, three were problematic:
> once the engine blew up, once it overheated in rather extreme heat and
> we had to pull over for an hour, and once the alternator died (**) and
> we couldn't run A/C and lights at the same time.   That time I had a
> friend bring a new alternator and replaced it at the campground.   I
> thought this was kinda fun but I guess definitions of "fun"
> differ? :-)    Other 3 trips it was fine.
>
> Negotiations with said partner have focused on strategies for
> increasing chances of next trip to be a winner, and reducing anxiety.
>
> Ideas included:
>  * getting known issues fixed ahead of time by an actual mechanic
>  * not driving up southern california mountain passes I-5 or I-15 in
> traffic + 110 degree heat
>  * a relaxed driving schedule so we feel no need to press on in
> adverse conditions
>  * getting AAA plus (100 mile) or premium (200 mile) tow package
>  * having a list of vanagon friendly mechanics along the route
>
> The van has a new engine (about 10k miles), ecu, afm, battery,
> starter, alternator**, alternator wiring, fuel hose, injectors
> (professionally cleaned), and radiator. (**) the alternator was
> probably fine, it was the bad wiring.
>
> Known issues :   minor exhaust leak, automatic transmission leaks a
> bit but works fine.   The transmission is my only major worry, as it's
> more or less the only major trip-ending failure I can imagine.
>
> Any recommendations?  This is as much an emotional as technical issue,
> methinks.
>