Date:         Sat, 3 Jun 2023 18:31:12 +0000
Reply-To:     Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Opinions wanted: Overhaul or Eletric?!
In-Reply-To:  <CACvdLxOtm8LjohXSnkcJy8cQo1HxMPvCMZAatjov+c+5pS-f4w@mail.gmail.com>
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Heck!  I've got some plywood, I can get fabric and foam. I've got screws.  I've got Solidworks 3D Solid Model tool. And I have a sewing machine for curtains.  Yep, in 3 weekends...well maybe 4, I could totally transform anything into an object of strong desire.  I have done it twice (70 Bus and 85 Vanagon).  Yep Dave, me too:  I will soon turn 70.  I still feel like a kid though! 

    On Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 11:19:59 AM PDT, David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com> wrote:  
 
 It will be too late for me, as I am 78 yo and counting.  There WILL be
electric vans, pickups, and SUVs that have long range, high passenger and
storing capacity, and can tow.  They are just not here YET.  Meanwhile, the
VW ID.Buzz will be here some time next year, and could be converted for
camping at a price.

On Sat, Jun 3, 2023 at 6:49 AM Steve Williams <sbw@sbw.org> wrote:

> Thanks for the link to Cafe Electric.  It got me thinking.
>
> I sold my '84 Westy some time ago, because it was getting too hard to
> find people to work on it when traveling around the U.S.  And it wasn't
> very comfortable.  And the air conditioner was never gonna work right.
>
> Now I'm outfitting a small travel trailer.  My tow vehicle is a 2017
> Outback 2.5i Limited, much more comfortable than my Westy, and easy to
> get worked on.
>
> Towing the trailer, the Outback gets 18-19 mpg over the road, a little
> lower than the Westy.  I'm hoping I can nurse that up a bit over long
> distances.
>
> But it's still gas!
>
> I'd like to see a purpose-built EV tow vehicle.  I haven't explored Cafe
> Electric's list of EV related links, but reading a bit about their motor
> controller clarified my thinking about my tow vehicle a bit:
>
> Cafe Electric seems to be about performance and racing. That's fine, but
> for the tow vehicle, I wouldn't want high performance, since I'd be
> limited to 55 mph in many areas.  Instead, I need it to tow the trailer
> up a hill and have good range.  Fast charging would be nice.
>
> So I'm picturing an old VW Rabbit, souped up with big brakes, tons of
> batteries, and Recaro seats.  (Are there aftermarket electric cabin
> heaters and air conditioners available, efficient enough for EVs?)
>
> I can dream.
>