Date:         Wed, 6 Mar 2013 18:57:47 -0800
Reply-To:     Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Portland Metro RV show
Comments: To: J B <jbever@EXCITE.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <20130306203929.5331@web002.roc2.bluetie.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Yes, I did the same thing last year and was appalled. After selling my EVC and looking at what's available I bought an '85 Westy.  $69,000 (plus 10% sales tax here in WA) for a GMC van camper????  Even a teardrop trailer was $10,000, and you need a decent sized car or truck to pull it. 

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of J B
Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2013 5:39 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Portland Metro RV show

Just got back from the RV show at the Expo center here in Portland.
Maybe I'm biased but there really is no other vehicle/trailer/camper that has a more efficient use of space than the Westfalia Vanagon.
I wanted to see the layouts of the Mercedes/Sprinter motorhomes as I consider that one of the closer comparable vehicles but most layouts are terrible. Being somewhat new to camping I also wanted to look inside some of the examples we have seen at the state parks in Oregon. I'm still in awe with the luxury of some of the larger examples especially 5th wheel trailers!

The closest Vanagon comparison was one GMC van pop-top conversion camper that seemed to copy the layout of our westy's exactly! Fold down rear seat, 3 way fridge, 2 burner propane stove and sink. The fold out pop-top didn't seem as high but still had room for 2 to sleep up top. It also had a small microwave oven beside the fridge (under where our rear swing out table is) which would be very useful. Price for this 2013 was $69,000!!!

John.