I learned something from my PO's service records that I think might help Kari and
anyone else planning a long trip.  Every time he geared up for a long trip, he took
the van in for a "buyer's check."  It makes sense to me: mechanics are accustomed to
doing them, it's cheap (usually $80-100, in my experience), and they check all those
things you're worried about, like belts, hoses, condition of brakes, battery,
compression, etc.  By the look of the records, I think he sometimes took it to a
mechanic who was unfamiliar with the van.  I can see the sense in that too, so maybe
somebody other than your brother would be a good idea.
The other thing you need to take is a cellular phone, Kari.  With that, AAA and a van
as well maintained as you can get, you'll be ready to handle any mechanical problems
you encounter.  I think your trip sounds like a blast.
Houston
84 westfalia

>Kari Williams wrote:
>hi everyone,
>i'm a new subscriber to the list and am hoping for some advice. i recently
>purchased a '90 vanagon (not camper, but back folds into a bed), and am
>planning to drive from california to new york and back again with my 2 teenage
>daughters for our annual girls trip. (i know what you are thinking: glutton
>for punishment. but they are the ones who really want to go!) anyway, my
>vanagon has low miles (60,000) and runs great, but is there something i should
>do to it before making the journey? like, i don't know, replacing the fuel
>lines and belts or something? the only thing i know how to do is add coolant
>and oil and call AAA. we have 2 months to make the trip and plan to take it
>slow and easy and spend a few days in corpus christi, miami, washington d.c.
>etc. should i be changing the oil every 2,000 miles or so? anything else?
>      my brother is a vw mechanic and always keeps my vws in shape, but he isn't
>being helpful about this trip, as he thinks 3 women alone on the road are
>headed for disaster. anyone out there make a similar long distance trip?
>advice? warnings?
>kari (karibel@aol.com)