Date:         Sat, 26 Jun 2010 09:08:24 -0700
Reply-To:     Pat Sloan <pmsloan@SHAW.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Pat Sloan <pmsloan@SHAW.CA>
Subject:      Westy Configurations and Bear-proffing (was Re: Westy's vs Other
              Configurations for Camping)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

This thread brings up two questions that have been lurking in my
subconscious:

1.      How bear-proof is a Vanagon? Since I like to camp in remote forestry
campsites or even just pull over at a wide spot in the road, how easy would
it be for a bear to open the oblong tin can that a Vanagon is, if there were
leftover cooking smells wafting on the night air? Anyone heard of any
experiences? A bear did a masterful and completely silent job on my backpack
once, years ago. As I slept in my tent about 10 yards away!
2.      Why did VW switch the Westy inner configuration from the dual-side
of my 1973 Westy to the all-on-one-side setup in my current 1982 Westy?
Personally, I prefer the older layout - that great little cantilevered shelf
right by the sliding door; the more-balanced weight distribution, etc. So
what were the perceived advantages that motivated the shift to locating
everything on the driver's side? Vanagon historians?

Cheers,

Pat in Vancouver - 1982 Vanjetta "Otter"



Date:    Sat, 26 Jun 2010 10:39:13 +0000

From:    J Stewart <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET>

Subject: Re: Westy's  vs Other Configurations for Camping



Exactly the reason I am excited about the possibility of getting a
Weekender, after many years of full camper Westy's I too rarely used the
stove/sink/fridge.



Jeff Stewart





----- "John Rodgers" <inua@CHARTER.NET> wrote:

> Westy's appear to be a grand vehicle for traveling and camping, but i

> have never had an opportunity to use one that way, let alone even drive

> one to see how they handle. Yet a few years ago, I spent an entire

> summer camping out in Alaska in my '85 GL. I found it convenient,

> flexible, and comfortable for the most part. I never found a need to

> have cooking facilities inside, nor sink, nor even a refrigerator. In

> fact, cooking inside could have created a bear problem with the smells.

>

>