George, Vanagons can be very reliable but you have to understand that
they are old vehicles and need at least a mechanical restoration at this
point to be reliable for long trips.  If you don't want to break down
and spend a bunch of money on the road then you need to decide that you
are going to spend some money being proactive and rebuilding your van
one system at a time before you go on that long trip.  What I tend to do
is to make a list of all of the systems on the van that need to be
rebuilt.  Engine, transmission, cooling system, electrical, fuel
injection, exhaust, etc.  Then just check the van over and see what it
needs the most at the moment.  Maybe it needs a new exhaust system or
new CV axles.  Tackle that job first.  Then when the money supply
rebuilds, move on to the next job.  Eventually after a couple of years
you should have a van that is fully rebuilt and reliable.  It is much
more expensive if you have to pay to have all of this work done but even
so think about what a comparable vehicle goes for new.  A new minvan is
around $30k.  And they aren't as roomy or utilitarian as a Vanagon so
why would you want one of those?  You can restore your van for less even
paying someone to do the work.  And when you get done you have a vehicle
that you actually like to drive.  Sounds like a win, win situation to me.

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

George Averill wrote:
> All,
> I haven't posted in a while.  I have an 84 Vanagon camper that runs great.  I have had it for a number of years.  I don't use it much any more because I'm afraid to go too far from home base.   I'm afraid that something will break and I will be stranded in a motel or worse while trying to locate repair parts and someone who is willing to make a repair.  That happened once, and I don't want to repeat the experience.
>
> Are other owners this paranoid?  Is there a solution?  I have just about decided to sell the bus to someone who wants to have another hobby.
>
> George
> Cataula, GA
> 84 Vanagon Camper
>
>