PPE
* a big piece of cardboard (folds in half, stored under the rear bed). Great if you need to sit on the ground or slide under the van for any repairs.
* long-sleeve shirt you don't care about
* disposable gloves
Tools
* A long breaker bar with 19mm socket for changing tires (the VW spare tire lug bolt wrench is quite short).
* right-angle screwdriver to change the ignition switch (see below)
Gadgets
* OBD-2 scanner (or laptop with VCDS or VCDS-Lite and a USB to OBD2 adapter)
Info
* a laptop with 15+ years of archived [eurovanupdate] messages!
* don't trust the user's manual or mechanics - I had one trip almost ruined by "failed windows" where the problem was a simple blown fuse, which was mis-documented in the user manual and by a VW dealer.
Parts
* ignition switch - common failure point that causes a lot of weird electrical problems. Hard to change w/o the right tool (see above)
Dual-Use
* leveling blocks can be used as impromptu jack-stands (if you need to get under the van to work, don't trust only the VW jack)
Technique
* for driving up steep grades in the heat, learn the difference between gears where the transmission torque converter is locked up vs. slipping. The non-locked up gears will generate a lot more heat; better to shift down one gear instead.
* if you have air conditioner troubles, know the sounds & signs of impending failure and how to turn off the AC compressor - this can save your serpentine belt
