First make sure you have some basic emergency supplies like a first aid  kit,
a few basic tools (check the condition of your spare tire), a charged cell
phone, numbers for towing and repair facilities along your route (check the
Vanagon Rescue Squad site-Google search for the website). Pack with the same
mentality that you would use for a backpacking trip with respect to weight and
space-do at least two shakedown's to reduce what you are carrying. You will
notice a significant difference in power, handling and fuel economy with a
fully  loaded Westy especially with yours being an automatic.  Since my  wife is a
pet sitter I musn't fail to mention that your pooches should be  correctly
restrained to keep them safe during the journey-doggie type seat   belts can be
found at any larger pet supply center/superstore. If you like  bicycling
consider a rack for the back of the van. We also carry one of the  small camping
type toilets. They are especially appreciated by any ladies that  are along. You
may later want to consider a solar or propane heated shower  (check the
archives for recommendations) and possibly a second battery setup  (again check the
archives-no intent to start a thread here) and possibly an  inverter
depending on your specific needs. I personally don't care for  tv's/dvd's as you are
there to enjoy the peacefulness and serenity of the great  outdoors and should
give technological entertainment a rest and stare at the  view and stars. Keep
it simple and fun. After a few outings your dogs will  probably be like all
Vanagon dogs and get really excited when they hear the  sliding door open-dogs
love vanagons more than any other vehicle-a proven fact  that they will tell
you! Sometimes when the wife doesn't want to go my dogs and  I take off on our
own for our own commune with nature around a campfire out in  the woods with
no one around; that's real quality time for us. Above all, have a  great time
and establish a new kind of Karma with your van.

David Clarkson
90 Westy (253k of wonderful camping memories)

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