Date:         Tue, 25 May 2004 22:57:32 -0700
Reply-To:     Tim Fong <fongball@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tim Fong <fongball@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon vs Alternative Vehicles
In-Reply-To:  <40B35C12.8030903@bellsouth.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

You might want to take a look an Airstream B-190 (class b camper conversion built on a Ford E-350 Van).

I just bought a 1998 for around $21,000.

It has everything a large motorhome has, but in a much smaller package. I will never sell my 1987 Syncro Westy, but this thing has:

hot and cold water
shower
toilet
22 gallon fresh water capacity
27 gallon grey water tank
9 gallon black water tank
microwave
stove with oven
furnace
full size double sink
thermostatically controlled roof intake/exhaust fan
roof mounted A/C
2800 Watt Generator
Power to tow 5,000 pounds (no fear of hills either)

If the above factory built-in convieneces appeal to you, it's a pretty nice set-up.
For me, it fills a niche that my vanagon and class A can't fulfill.
I was recently attended a vanagon gathering and the Airstream was well received by the members with open minds.

Vehicles to me are like golf clubs, they all perform a specific task better than each other based on the need. There is one problem with fine tuning vehicles to specific applications.

Tim
1987 Syncro Westy "Trigger"
1998 Airstream B-190
1989 Winnebago Super Chief 27'
2003 Fleetwood Southwind 32' w/double slide outs

1990 Ferrari Testarossa
1999 Acura NSX
2001 BMW 530i
1998 Range Rover 4.6 HSE
1995 Chevy 2500 3/4 ton pick-up
1979 VW Super Beetle Convertible (30K orig. miles)
1973 Porsche 914S
1965 Mercedes Unimog 404


John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET> wrote:
I think about this once in a while, and just don't see anything out
there that is really a good replacement when my Vanagon gets to the
point it is no longer economically feasible to keep it going. I simply
don't like the Eurovan, the Chrysler products are not sized for my needs
nor offer the unility I need, and the only other machine I have seen
that might possibly fit the bill is the Astro Van or a variant of it
.......Safari, etc. I have no knowledge of any of them, and just
wondered what thoughts The List has about alternatives for the Vanagon.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver