On Wed, 28 Sep 1994, Steve Johnson wrote:
> 
> Doh
> 
Doh?  What's this doh?> > 
> >
> Must be nice.  My wife and I had only two weeks.  Gawd, I wish we could
> do a trip like yours.  BUT I'M NOT JEALOUS!!!!   ;)
> Hey, you too have this life style.  Just quit your job.  I did it. Or 
more precisely,  will.  But, by the looks of your vehicles you have a 
pretty good job. Maby you should think that over a few times.> 
> Ahh... I get to post my essential tools list again and lest I forget (cause
> some rude humanoids will remind me :P ) you should obtain a copy of the
> "How To Keep Your Volkswagon Alive!" manual by John Muir (moment of silence,
> please) which is affectionately referred to as the "Idiot Guide" in this
> group.

Check.

  You should read through this manual at your leisure and use it
> as a reference for on-the-road help.  Another good manual is the Bentley
> for your year vehicle. 

Got it.
> 
> Jumper Cables - Don't leave home without em'.
> Sockett Set  - Misc. bolt tightening.
> Wrench set  - Misc. bolt tightening.
> pliers and crecent wrench  -  Various tighting/bending jobs.
> Screwdrives flat & phillips & allen - tighting misc. screws.
> Duct Tape - Broken radiator hose.
> electrical tape - Ad hoc wire fixing.
> wheel bearing grease - Various wheel maintenance
> brake fluid  - Low brake fluid.
> matches/lighter - If its cold and you need a light.
> toilet paper - Need you ask?
> spare auto wire - For testing or replacement.
  > Wire cutters/strippers for wire.
> Rope  -  Emergency pulling, holding up things etc.
> walking shoes  -  It could be a long walk.
> hat - Keeps the rain or sun off when your wa
> Jacket  -  It gets cold sometimes.
> Spare belts  -  You won't have to wait for the garage to order them.
>                 (sometimes it takes days)
> Good Spare tire (fully inflated)  -  Nothin' like a useless spare to ruin
> 				     your day
> Make sure your jack works.  Grease it.  -  Changing a tire is hard enough
>                                            already.
> Change your oil, oil filter and fuel filter  - Start out right.
> Carry 4 quarts extra oil. -  In case you lose your oil for any reason.
> Have a tune-up done or do it yourself.  - Good way to catch any problems.
> align and balance the tires. - So you don't rattle your nerves. ;) 
> Have the headlights aimed (With the car loaded) - Mis-aimed lights are
>                                                   annoying
> flashlight + spare batteries - You don't want to be in the dark.
> A second flashlight. - In case the first don't work.
> Sleeping bag. - It gets mighty cold at night.
> Gallon Jug of drinking water - You could get thirsty or worse dehydrated.
> First Aid Kit - Always 
> bailing wire - To hold things together.
> lug wrench - To remove wheels.
> 3' of pipe to put over lug wrench to loosen stubborn bolts.
> food: granola bars and such. - You always get hungry when your stuck somewhere
> Liquid Wrench - For those tough bolts.
> WD-40 - Gets the grease off.
> Spare fuses - Always have them.
> Spare bulbs - Various ones for all the lights in your car.
> Spare cash - Some people don't take credit cards or checks.
> Waterless hand soap - To get the grease off your hands.
> Book to read - To pass the time while you're waiting for the tow truck.
> 	       (or waiting for someone else to go get a tow truck) 
> 	       Or you could read the manual for your car and find out the
> 	       things you should have been doing for it.
> Battery Terminal cleaner thingy - You know, the one with the wires in the doo-hickey.
> Paper towels - There nice for cleaning up.
> Small tarp - To put on the ground so you don't get too dirty.
> Grubby cloths - To get dirty in.
> Rags - To wipe off things on the car.
> Gloves - For things to hot to handle.  Also for heavy duty stuff.
> Bottle of Anti-freeze** - If the radiator loses some, you'll need to top it off.
> 
> ** for water-cooled vehicles only (Duh...)

WOW!
I just printed this list.
Sounds like you`ve been there.
Invaluable information.  Some of the stuff we have some I went out and 
bought last night. More stuff to buy next week.  Good sale at Sears.
> > ----------- end of essentials list ---------------------
> 
> Obviously, since you are in camping mode, you'll be taking more food and
> stuff for "roughing it".  Be sure to bring sleeping bags, even if you are
> going in the summer.  It gets pretty cold in some places.
Summer?  Summer is for wimps.  Winter is for No tourists.
Besides we're from Vermont anything over 30 is a heat wave.

> 
> > 
> > We are also planning to buy an Eagle Pass to National Parks. Has anyone 
> > done this?  Is it worth it, or is it best to just play it by ear?
>Beats me...

Actually someone else replied that it was an excellent deal.> 
> > We are also going to do most of our cooking on a camp stove.
> 
> Good for you!  Get a 10 or 20lb. tank so you don't have to buy those
> little canisters that can't be recycled.  When you travel, just strap
> it to the top of the camper in the cargo carrier.

> Great idea!

> Also, get one of those portable gas grills for about $20.  There are a
> must for camping.
> 
Can you grill tofu on them? (just kidding, well, not really).
> > 
> > Also what should I expect to pay for a sink/cooler unit, used from a 
> > wrecked van?
> 
> I wouldn't pay more than $60.00 bucks for one out of a wrecking yard.
> Depends on the condition.
> 
> > Another questsion is about bras.  Our bus has one and it seem that rust 
> > has been forming under it.  Any thoughts?
> 
> Is it a cross-your-heart or what?  ;)  Since damage is already there, I'd
> just chuck the bra.        
DONE.

Hey Steven,

Thanks so much for all your help.
Hope this reply is not too hard to read.> 
> 
> Steven
> ----------------------
> Steven Johnson
> sjohnson@pcocd2.intel.com
> '91 VW Camper GL, '86 Nissan Sentra
> Previously owned: '68 bug, '70 squareback, '74 Camper
>