New member, from Oregon

[BettyAstro98]

Hello, my name is Sally. Are there any other girls on here? I have owned a 98 Astro LS for almost 2 years, it nice to know I'm not the only one that acquired an Astro primarily for hauling their dogs. I own three great danes; Betty, Star, and Brutus. I removed the middle row seat to give them maximum floor space; even my 36+ inches-at-the-withers Brutus can comfortably stand in this van, that is not an easy feature to find let me tell you, I stumbled across this beauty at a friends' used car lot and knew right away it was perfect for my needs.
I found this website because I am researching what kind of towing package I want to have put on Astro; I named it Astro after the great dane from the Jetsons (cartoon)...weird coincidence or fate?

I'm also researching travel trailers and how to prep Astro for driving over the cascade mountains as safely as possible. I've already come across some helpful tips about having coolant added, trailer brakes, etc.

Also, I have been having some odd problems with the drivers' side door handle and/or lock, occasionally the lock gets stuck; when the door is open and it is stuck the door itself cannot fully close and when the door is closed and it is stuck the door cannot be opened from the outside. The only way to get it unstuck is to use a screwdriver so I now keep one in the glove compartment. Anyone have this problem before? I would also like to remove the ugly chipped window deflectors, does denatured alcohol really work?

[Mr_Bowtie]

Welcome & great looking Van. I think we could use some pics of its passengers.

[astroturf]

Welcome Aboard...

Plenty of other Gals on her.

Again Welcome, Jim

[LEVE]

Welcome to the forum. As a guy who'll be going over the Cascades several times in the Winter I was struck by your comment:

I found this website because I am researching what kind of towing package I want to have put on Astro;

... make sure the trailer has breaks, and that the Astro can handle the weight. Otherwise the trailer becomes a pusher to the Astro, kinda like the tail wagging the dog. That gets mighty dangerous going down hill, not to mention hairpin turns.

[Big_kid]

Add a transmission cooler- I did!

Welcome aboard!

[94 Van Guy]

Hi Sally,
great van

Welcome to AS.com, Keith

[Leeann_93]

Hi and welcome

[castle_Rock]

Welcomr Aboard.

[BettyAstro98]

thanks guys

@ Mr. Bowtie I'll work on getting some pictures of the danes piled-in soon, it's been awhile since I've driven them anywhere.
Don't have any nice pictures of them in the van; but here are some pictures of my danes, the bicycle ones are very recent.

Betty



Brutus



Star

[kennyj]

Wow! That's quite a clan you've got there, and a nice looking van. I don't recall seeing many that bright red, it's a great color.
Welcome to the site.

[astroturf]

Now that looks like a happy bunch you have there.
Thanks for sharing.
Jim

[chevy57bert]

Me brother did have 2 Danish dogs.
beautiful quiet dogs.
Welcome to AS Sally

[Duster776]

Welcome! Got a nice ride there and some good lookin passengers as well!

[seahawk]

Welcome and Aloha Sally! Great looking van and cool pics of the kids too.The right tow package and a trailer with brakes will definitely make your excursions through the cascades much safer and more pleasurable, as you'll be cruising with confidence

[Surfari99]

HI Sally : Welcome