Marathon10
Canada
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Joined: 02/01/2012
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My vehicle is a 1992 VW Westfalia Eurovan and all the camping I have done has been for a few days at a site with hydro and water hookups. My ambition is to drive across Canada with my dogs, west-east coast, then return through the States. I am looking for all, and any, tips I can get regarding comfort (the bed - the back seat pulls down - is really hard); spare parts I should carry; should I invest in a CB Radio? As a senior woman I will use regulated camping sites because of hydro and water hookups, but also for safety reasons. I don't want to drive too many hours a day and risk fatigue, but neither do I want to dawdle. Is there a rule of thumb or should I just take each day as it comes?
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fordsooperdooty
Southern California
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Joined: 08/13/2004
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For the bes get a nice piece of memory foam, at least 3" thick for a mattress topper, a cell phone and maybe if your budget will allow a portable hand held CB radio with a magnetic exterior antenna. Once you get into the US, invest in a good can of mace/pepper spray for personal protection, and get rid of it before re-entering Canada.
Please be careful, use a navigator so you won't get lost. God bless and safe trip!
My posts shouldn't be taken for factual data. They are purely fictional, for entertainment purposes and should not be constituted as actually related to scientific, technical, engineering, legal, spiritual or practical advice. Amen. 
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Islandman
NW Washington
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Joined: 02/18/2007
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Before you embark on such a long journey, may I suggest that you take a trip up to the Banff area or somewhere and return home via a different route. Purpose of this short trip would be to get the bugs out and determine if you and the pups are ready for a much longer adventure. Sounds like 400 km per day for your trip to the Maritimes would be about right for you and the dogs; lets you drive leisurly and get to a campsite in mid-afternoon and rest and then get supper. I'm not familiar with VW vehicles but they are certainly still popular in Canada and if you ever needed help, it shouldn't be too far away. In addition to the usual camping gear, I'd take a case of bottled water and extra propane bottles if you're using a Coleman camping stove to cook with. Have a good trip, don't forget the binoculars so you can spot mountain goats, etc.
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1775
NY
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Joined: 09/30/2009
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Since you want to stay at regulated campgrounds you may want to plan ahead about where you will stop and even make reservations to be sure that you will have a site waiting for you. You certainly want to see things along the way so some advanced planning is a good idea - especially if you don't want to drive all day - and night if you are not finding a place to stay for the night. You don't say when you are planning this trip for - and if is now, you will need to take weather into consideration. Actually, I hope that you are waiting for the warm weather to start your journey. The suggestion to take a short trip first - perhaps a week to get comfortable in your van and see for yourself exactly what you will need. What one needs varies greatly depending upon the person.
For the bed - get a memory foam bed topper to get a softer bed. As to spare parts, if parts are difficult to come by for your van, have it fully checked by a mechanic before the trip and do any repair work before you leave. Ask that mechanic if there is anything specific to your van that you need to carry with you that a repair shop will not have. Make sure you have a good spare tire. Also bring fuses for your electrical systems - both for the van and the coach part of the RV. You should have some Emergency Roadside Service plan that covers both the mechanics of your van and the rv parts. As you describe yourself, I don't see you as changing a tire on the side of the road by yourself. (If I am wrong, forgive me.) A CB radio is fine but there is not a lot of activity on the CB radio now. Some truckers still use them. You would be much better to make sure you have a cell phone with a plan that will cover you both in Canada and the US. If you need help, you must be able to call for it. Payphones are few and hard to find these days. Also get a good rechargeable lantern - Coleman makes several and they are not expensive. If you have to go outside of your van at night, this will give you good light. Campgrounds have little light at night. It would also be a good idea to invest in a GPS. It is very easy to get lost and with the GPS you will stay on route to your next destination.
As to your dogs - make sure you have all of the necessary permits, documents, vaccinations for your dogs that may be required to cross the borders and go back and forth with them.
You will have a great time! Enjoy your trip.
Roadtrek 190 Popular 2011
Meryl and Me Hit the Road
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Francesca Knowles
Port Hadlock, Washington
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Joined: 02/23/2011
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Nothing specific to suggest- I just wanted to say: Good for you!
My Mother made the same trip you're talking about many years ago...
She traveled from Vancouver B.C. to the East Coast of Canada and returned home to Portland, Oregon through the U.S.
She had the time of her life!
She'd spent many years working and raising her eight kids, and that was the first time she'd ever truly had complete freedom to do just as she liked.
In her case, the vehicle was a then- 2 yr. old Mazda B2000 pickup truck with a simple canopy. We all helped to outfit the back- simple bed, campstove for cooking, etc., and away she went.
She, too, stayed in regular campgrounds and positively raved about those in Canada.
The only trouble she had on the whole trip, though, was in a Canadian Campground.
She woke up from a blissful sleep one night to the racket of some little raccoon-sized "bears" that had found the kitchen she'd set up on the picnic table outside.
Having been warned that they could be pretty liberal with their teeth and claws if interfered with, she watched through the window as they ate everything in her cooler- she marveled afterwards at their ability even to open the jars therein!
But when they started to literally drag the cooler away she decided that, claws or no claws, she would NOT stand the loss.
She leaped out of the truck yelling like a madwoman, snatched the cooler from their grubby little paws and scrambled back inside, triumphant.
That's my Mom! 
She talked about that trip forever afterwards as the best thing she ever did for herself, and I hope yours is as wonderful a memory for you!
" Not every mind that wanders is lost. " With apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien
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gbopp
The Keystone State
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Joined: 08/03/2008
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x3 on the Memory Foam Topper. It made a big difference on our Southwind bed.
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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Get a GPS and update its maps. But carry a paper atlas or map, and check your route daily before setting out; after due consideration, trust your brain if it conflicts with the GPS.
Have a trusted mechanic check over the van. Do this a few weeks before setting out, so there's time to get things fixed.
Don't overload; little stuff adds up. Carry multi-use stuff; for instance duct tape can be used for a lot of things, including bandages when combined with paper or cloth towels.
I'll leave it to others to suggest a good Canadian road service ('ERS') plan. Pick you cell phone plan for coverage more than cost. A 12V charger for it is a good idea, and cheap. Make a plan to check in with a friend or relative every day or two on a regular schedule; give them your tag number and photos of you and the van.
A laptop & computer air card is a fine thing to have along. When you have celluilar service, it'll let you research your route & attractions as you go, find CG's within a day's driving, etc.
Yes, a shorter shake-down trip would be a very good idea. Maybe a week? That' or set out on your big trip with a firm promise to yourself that if things aren't going well after 3-4 days, you'll turn back.
Have a grand adventure!
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigervehicles.com
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Escargot
California
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Joined: 10/05/2009
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You may want to do a search at this Westfalia site. Their expert, Captain Jack, passed away but the archives should render everything necessary for a cross country trip in a Westy; I'm thinking most especially tools and spare parts for your Westy.
Have fun. Good luck.
2003 PleasureWay Dodge Excel TD
1994 Provan Tiger GT
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Kanata
Ottawa, Ontario
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Joined: 09/23/2006
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Couple of additional points. In Western Canada the Municipal campgrounds are a good value, especially in the small towns. In the equipment area I would carry one of these Eliminator. It will provide power if you need a boost and will charge and run your other gadgets with having to run the car. I would also get a crank Weather Radio. These are inexpensive and you can get them at The Source (Radio Shack).
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dixied
Mississippi & Montana
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Joined: 06/18/2005
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I traveled in the US and Canada in a '97 VW Eurovan and had a great time. Now that I travel around by myself, here are some items you should have:
a boat airhorn--you can scare away critters--animal and human if need be,
a large can of bear spray-you'll need one in Canada and another in the US--not just for bears!,
a really good cell phone and service like an IPhone or other type that has a GPS and Internet on it--I have apps on mine that list campgrounds, tell weather, check bank accounts, etc. The GPS on the phone can help someone locate YOU if need be.
a port-a-potty so you don't have to go out at night to use the bathroom,
registration papers for your dogs to cross the borders.
I echo what the others have said about taking a short week or two trip first, so you can see what you wish you had brought!
Have fun!
Dixie
Dixie and the Goldendoodles, Nikkibear and Gus
2012 Roadtrek SS Agile
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