VANAGON archives -- September 2000, week 1 (#136)

Date:         Fri, 1 Sep 2000 19:35:41 PDT
Reply-To:     Mark Dorm <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Dorm <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Camper Retrofit
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
The way I drive, I need all the window space I can get... and about rotating
the seat and the frig sink combo unit: thats why I need a modified
version... and I with less in there, it would be lighter... than a westy...
- just want a mobile office for writing anywhere.... and yeah, no matter
what I do, don't know that the awkwardness can be designed out of it... just
reduced.... maybe it'll never take place... but it would be nice if it
did... and for parked private ventilation... I was going to see about
putting rear sunroof mini vents on either side of the ac column...  by the
Stretch Forming Corporation... but I can't find them on the web anymore...
so I can't show you what I had in mind...

>From: "1980 VW Westfalia \"Pokey\"" <pokey@VANAGON.ORG>
>
>I don't think it would be too big a deal to omit the storage area above the
>zbed, in fact it might be a good idea I find it obscures my view out the
>rear, particularly for distance. I wouldn't omit the closet on the drivers
>side however, it doesn't obscure the window that much and for what you gain
>in usable storage it is probably worth having. It is nice to have things
>out
>of view of thieves.
>
>The drivers seat could be an issue, in my '80 the steering wheel (good luck
>omitting that) seems to be the biggest obstacle in turning the seat 180
>degrees. The other thing is that the fridge stove sink combo unit is right
>behind the drivers seat leaving little space to put your legs. Other model
>years may work differently...
>
>That said, I think there is a lot of merit to having a stock passenger van
>with no camping equipment inside.You'd certainly be looking at less weight
>in the vehicle and not everyone gets a lot of use out of the full camper
>(ie: they use it much more often for daily transportation). If you had a
>fold down rear seat and a pop-top you'd still have a pretty good four
>person
>"mobile tent".
>
>Do pick up an inverter and a wire up a second battery under the drivers
>seat
>to power your laptop and maybe look at installing Westphalia AC power as
>well.
>
>Thanks,
>Chris Gronski
>Toronto, Ontario,
>'80 Westy "Pokey"
>'87 Chevrolet Sprint 5-Door
>'91 Pontiac Firefly Convertible
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Mark Dorm" <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM>
>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Sent: Friday, September 01, 2000 3:36 AM
>Subject: Re: Camper Retrofit
>
>
> > Are there schematics available for the cabinetry in the westy? I'd kind
>of
> > like to have a modified form of it in my non westy vanagon.... Like with
> > nothing that blocks the view out of any of the windows, hence no rear
> > closet, and to be able to turn the drivers seat around so that it faces
>the
> > rear.... Internet Bat Mobile (IBM) is what I'm after... of course that's
> > ironic because I'll be using an apple laptop, just the chip might be
>made
>by
> > IBM...
> >
> >
> > >From: Steve Lashley <ThingGuy@AOL.COM>
> > >
> > >In a message dated 08/29/2000 3:33:46 PM !!!First Boot!!!,
> > >pokey@VANAGON.ORG
> > >writes:
> > >
> > ><< Also, http://eurocampers.com sells some stuff that would interest
>you.
> > >They
> > >  have a German text DIY camper retrofit book at
> > >  http://eurocampers.com/page14f.html. If it doesn't have to look stock
>you
> > >  may want to look at their EuroVan Weekender & MV Kitchen Module
> > >  http://eurocampers.com/EVKitchen.html. I see no reason why it
>wouldn't
> > >fit
> > >  in a Vanagon but you'll want to look into it.
> > >
> > >  Thanks,
> > >  Chris Gronski
> > >  Toronto, Ontario,
> > >  '80 Westy "Pokey"
> > >  '87 Chevrolet Sprint 5-Door
> > >  '91 Pontiac Firefly Convertible >>
> > >
> > >Thanks Chris for the link to my site.
> > >
> > >I still have a few books in stock.
> > >
> > >As for the kitchen set, there is a version available for the Vanagon.
>In
> > >fact, you can still buy the whole camper package as a kit.  The DIY
>book
> > >shows you how to make a lot of your own parts and where to get the
>rest.
> > >
> > >The cost of shipping the entire kit over here would be prohibitive.
>You
> > >could find a good used Westy for the price of the kit alone.
> > >
> > >Steve Lashley
> > >'66 Westy
> > >'74 Campmobile
> > >'93 EV MV
> > >http://EuroCampers.com
> > >314-614-0750
> > >Importing German Side Tents, Fiamma and Paulchen bike racks and other
> > >accessories for
> > >Bus, Vanagon and EuroVan
> >
> >
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