Date:         Mon, 22 May 2000 23:10:16 -0700
Reply-To:     Bob Elliott <bobe@WEBTIDE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bob Elliott <bobe@WEBTIDE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Delicate Question? Has anybody installed a ...
In-Reply-To:  <LOBBLDJNBFKPDMNDLPEHOEFLCOAA.gadams@jps.net>
Content-Type: multipart/mixed;

Than you for the reply Garrett ...

At 06:12 PM 5/22/00 -0700, Garrett Adams wrote:
>Bob,
>
>The reason it doesn't come up often is because a Thetford PortaPotti (or its'
>look-alikes) works so darn well. Plus there's none of the attendant problems
>associated with emptying the onboard black water tank, hose storage, and dump
>area clean up.

I agree with the above completely. I was unaware of Thedford products until
one of the list members wrote me about them about an hour ago. He also
educated me about the "pump out" vs. "dump out" issues.

>Don't forget the Vanagon is very short as far as RV's go. It's less that 15
>feet! Most Class B vehicles with plumbed toilets are in vans 17-19 feet long
>that have engines mounted in the front. They have more available floor space
>than a Vanagon. After the necessary camper fixtures are installed there is
>very
>little floor space left in a Vanagon.

I was looking at a '97 to '99 VW and my web research tells me they have a
11' WB, a 17' LOA and are of course a front mounted engine. This would mean
a flat floor all the way from the front seat-backs to the rear hatch. If I
considered the Thedford "self-contained" units wouldn't this give me some
options? I have even thought about using a floor plan I found at
<http://www.vwn.de/uk/leisure/index.html>, I've attached a jpeg (I hope
binaries aren't against list policy), and starting from scratch with a LWB
empty shell EuroVan and getting the interior built. The floor plan
certainly seems workable and do-able. Your opinion, other list members,
would be appreciated.

>In addition, there isn't much room on the Vanagon's underside for a large
>traditional black water tank. On my van the gray water tank holds 13
>gallons and
>occupies the area opposite my propane tank (the reverse of the Westfalia). For
>black water you would want a tank with a larger capacity. Another option is a
>recirculating toilet like those used in the Xplorer van conversion. An RV,
>which
>at 20 feet, is 5 feet longer than a Vanagon.

Once again, I agree completely ...

>So you don't get the wrong idea, I like the smaller footprint of the
>Vanagon and
>am willing to forego some of the "luxuries" found on its' larger brethren.

Definitely one of the appealing factors of the EuroVan Winnebago is that
the smaller dimensions allow it to be not only a self-contained "home on
wheels" but also a daily driver. Particularly the low height, allowing it
to be enter most underground parking lots. I'm just looking to see if it
can be a little more "self-contained"

>BTW, I do have a plan that might work for someone provided they are willing to
>sleep at night while sitting on the toilet . <G>

Now then, in a way, you've identified my fear and the reason as to why I
asked this question in the first place! ;->

>Garrett Adams
>83.5 Adventurewagen GL
>Stockton, California

ce_innen.gif [image/gif]

--

Dance like no one's watching, love like you'll never be hurt, sing like no
one's listening, live like it's heaven on earth