Apropos of this discussion is the Samba thread that directly addresses the feeling of accomplishment during such journeys: Did you make it 1,000 miles without trouble, or words to that effect. 

If the minivan or family sedan breaks down on such a trip it's machinery at its worst, but a Vanagon breaking down is like a pet getting sick. Different vibe, although it should not be. 

Stephen

Mobile

> On Jul 1, 2019, at 11:37 AM, Jack Elliott <pdaxe2gto@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> I just see my van as entropy in action. Also an engineer (though
> electrical, not mechanical) I view it as a system of parts that are
> imperfect, a kludge of things that will work for a while. It's gonna break.
> In a big way, or a small way, the oncoming heat death of the universe makes
> itself known. I stay alert for signs of weirdness and try to understand
> them, see if they are significant or not, and address them accordingly to
> the best of these guesses and the best of my ability. I rely on the
> knowledge of others whenever I can. Adding a passenger, a SO for example,
> who does not share my willingness to accept the inevitable, will greatly
> reduce the sometimes pleasurable aspect of dealing with a breakdown and
> solving the problem creatively. IOW, if getting someplace on time is
> critical, if there are others with me that will not get a kick out of being
> stuck somewhere because an oil filter blew off (it happened to me due to my
> ignorance of filter threads, another story), then it's gonna have a Bad
> Time. Masochism in action? To paraphrase my son, "any d*****bag with a
> credit card can have a reliable car." Sometimes just getting somewhere
> without trouble is in itself accomplishment enough.
> 
> That, plus people think these vehicles are totally cool and wish they could
> get one.
> 
> 
> On Mon, Jul 1, 2019 at 8:02 AM kenneth wilford (Van-Again) <
> kenwilfy@comcast.net> wrote:
> 
>> I look at the van as a never ending restoration project.  You start with
>> the things that affect your safety and reliability first like brakes,
>> steering, suspension, the engine, the transmission.  Once these have been
>> inspected and repaired, then you can move on to creature comforts like AC
>> and cosmetics.  The problem is most folks focus on the creature comforts
>> and cosmetics first and expect the mechanicals will be fine as long as the
>> van looks good (new paint or wheels), and has a great sounding radio (I
>> guess it is fun to rock out while you wait for the tow truck).
>> 
>> Also one of my customers chants this mantra, "Don't let perfection get in
>> the way of good enough."  You have to know when to say when on any
>> project.  If you are seeking perfection you will never find it.  But if you
>> are seeking functionality and safety you should find it in enough measure
>> to feel confident in your Vanagon.  I use Progressive insurance which
>> includes a nice towing and roadside assistance plan, which I think every
>> car owner should have no matter what they are driving.
>> 
>> That is about it.  I know the aircraft mechanic, engineer, etc. tends to
>> over analyze and over think the repairs or restoration of the van.  Usually
>> this leads to lots of great plans, ripping everything apart to do a
>> "proper" restoration, and then abandoning the project when life gets in the
>> way.  Avoid this.  Instead, do the basics, get it running and safe, and
>> then enjoy it for the summer or two before doing the "full monty" on it.
>> That way you can decide if you really want to do that, or if you want to
>> sell it to someone else, or if you are "gasp" satisfied with the van even
>> with the quirks and imperfections.  Some of them came from the factory...
>> 
>> Ken
>> 
>>> On Mon, Jul 1, 2019 at 10:28 AM Alex MeVay <alex@mevay.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I've also been interested in exploring this, and I think Richard S
>>> gave some great points.
>>> 
>>> I'm 5 years into my Vanagon, and it's given me the highest highs and
>>> lowest lows of any vehicle I've owned.  Some of the recent trip
>>> reports have done a good job capturing the highs.  As for the lows:
>>> after endless weekends and evenings of work, sitting there staring at
>>> a half-busted van and a to-do list that never gets any shorter...  Rod
>>> sticking through the oil pan (I-4) one day before your long-planned
>>> trip down the CA coast with your SO...  You know the routine.
>>> 
>>> At first, I approached the van like I would my other projects: as an
>>> engineer (my day job).  I would think through each repair and upgrade
>>> to make sure it would last at least 1,000 years (or say at least 30),
>>> and add to the todo list anything that might ever fail ever.  This was
>>> a recipe for negative thoughts and feelings about the van.  I
>>> struggled, even to the point of having impure thoughts about
>>> Sprinters.  At some point, I stumbled across this article, which I
>>> found extremely helpful:
>>> 
>>> https://worldpowersystems.com/PROJECTS/wabiTekSabi/index.html
>>> 
>>> Among other points, it encourages thinking about objects as processes
>>> or situations, not perfected Platonic ideals.  Instead of thinking
>>> about the van as an object I have thus far failed to perfect, it's
>>> better to think about the process and context: the exchange of driving
>>> the van, doing maintenance.  A van by itself is meaningless...add a
>>> driver, a 2-lane road, and that exchange of energy, and now you're
>>> going somewhere.  Instead of asking myself, "Is it perfect?", I
>>> learned to ask, "Will it get me to the desert and back in relative
>>> safety and comfort?"  This is a much lower standard, but it gets more
>>> to the heart of why I think we all do this.  It acknowledges that,
>>> even before you tighten that last bolt, the process of decay and
>>> failure has started.  All is flux, but that's OK.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Turning to more concrete matters, I think what Richard said about your
>>> eyes and seat being the OBD hits the nail on the head.  Being
>>> mercilessly vigilant about understanding every creak, drip, vibration,
>>> and smell is the best way to avoid big problems.  You don't need to
>>> fix it all, but I feel you need to understand it.  For every issue or
>>> warning sign, I ask:
>>> 
>>> What is the root cause?
>>> 
>>> How bad is this if it fails? (annoyance, or end of trip?)
>>> 
>>> Is it likely to fail all at once, or slowly get worse?  (Will I have
>>> some warning that a repair is required?)
>>> 
>>> Is there a possibility of cascading failure? (i.e., bad engine
>>> mount->trashed exhaust)
>>> 
>>> Can it be repaired in the field?
>>> 
>>> Running through these questions for each issue helps me prioritize
>>> repairs and understand the risks I am taking (or lack thereof) each
>>> time I head out on a trip.
>>> 
>>> What other philosophies or mind-tricks have helped you enjoy Vanagon
>>> ownership, or simply get out and back safely?
>>> 
>>> Alex
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On Sun, Jun 30, 2019 at 10:32 PM Richard Smith <smirby@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> On reliability:
>>>> 
>>>> I commend everyone who works on reliability, and I think it is
>> something
>>> we should all be mindful of. Without the "RE" you have a liability. __
>>>> 
>>>> On the "my wife/husband hates my van because it is unreliable" theme, I
>>> like to approach that problem from three directions:
>>>> 
>>>> 1. Manage expectations. I start every (longer) trip with a reminder
>> that
>>> we could get towed, and that it shouldn't be seen as a disaster. This may
>>> appease the karma gods - I haven't been towed yet - but it also sets the
>>> tone for whatever calamity arises.
>>>> 
>>>> 2. Live in the moment. If our cars didn't falter from time to time, and
>>> we drifted along in uncaring bliss, would get get to meet those
>> exceptional
>>> people who rise to the occasion? Every breakdown that I have had has been
>>> just as interesting as the rest of the trip.
>>>> 
>>>> 3. Invest in your ride. Do the things that need doing, when they need
>>> it. Replace the fuel lines. Make sure the brakes, tires, suspension are
>> all
>>> in good condition before you set out. This won't make it never break
>> down,
>>> but it will remove some of the failure points. We don't have a lot of
>>> sensors telling us what is wrong, so your ears (and seat) are your "OBD"
>>> system.
>>>> 
>>>> We often mistake the reliability that we see in others' vehicles for a
>>> completely trouble-free experience. They, too, have had their share of
>>> breakdowns, its just that we don't see them. In my time owning Vanagons
>>> (and a '73 bus before that), it has been no worse than lots of other
>> cars,
>>> and better than many.
>>>> 
>>>> For most of us, our vanagon is >30 years old. This carries with it a
>>> weighty responsibility in maintenance but also the need to embrace the
>>> uncertainty that it brings with it.
>>>> 
>>>> Despite all this, it remains a joy to own, and if that comes with a
>>> frisson of excitement because of the chance of breakdown, I'll take it.
>> Not
>>> for everyone, to be sure, but that's how I am dealing with it.
>>>> 
>>>> ...r
>>>> 
>>>> On 2019-06-30, 5:37 PM, "Vanagon Mailing List on behalf of Richard
>>> Koerner" <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com on behalf of rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
>>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>    Which brings me to a last point.  A few months ago someone
>> mentioned
>>> reliability as their main goal with their Westy.  I am very interested in
>>> ideas about reliability that anyone might share.
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> Thanks,
>> Ken Wilford
>> John 3:16
>> www.vanagain.com
>>