Author Archives: Ryan

Jay’s Jedi Mechanic skills proved their salt and got us across the desert and up the coast with zero breakdowns. Here’s Jay’s laundry list of repairs: fuel filter fresh gas fresh battery gas leak on #4 line replaced master cylinder radiator hose plugs changed the oil filter treated varnished gas  If you missed the previous videos about Jay catch them here: Jay tells us his professional opinion about our chances of making with no breakdowns. How much does Jay think my Vanagon is worth? Maybe more than you’d think. 

Posted on by Ryan

Posted on by Ryan



For those of you that aren’t experts in Vanagons, let me introduce you to one of the greatest parts about them. 

 

The Pop Top. In less than 10 seconds the Vanagon transforms from a road-tripping rockstar to a second story room with a view that sleeps two (four if you count the “master bedroom” downstairs when the rear bench seat pulls out).

 

The Pop Top can only be fully understood when experienced, but here’s a photo set that helps paint the picture. Ocean, sand, mountains, whatever…the Pop Top is the perfect way to soak it all in. 

 

Top 5 Reasons the Pop Top is Awesome: 

  1. Immediate doubling of square footage and it allows you to stand up inside the Vanagon. 
  2. While everyone else is figuring out where to put the tent, you’re already basking in full camping relaxation mode.
  3. It looks cool in pictures.
  4. Kids love the Pop Top. To them it’s like an instant fort. 
  5. Cheaper than the Hotel del Coronado or any other beach-front resort. 

 

Posted on by Ryan

Made it to SLO with zero breakdowns! Guess I didn’t need that gold-plated AAA membership after all. The voyage might be over but blog updates are not. Stay tuned for some more great Vanagon posts, including Mechanic Jay’s rundown of what he fixed to get me across the desert.