Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (December 1995)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Mon, 18 Dec 1995 10:28:40 -0500
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         drew@interport.net (Derek Drew)
Subject:      Late Westys: Remove Your Stove/Sink Lid Latch (& make coffee while driving)

APPLIES TO: Vanagon Westfalias

I have come to the conclusion after long use that there is little reason for there to be a latch on the big cover that lowers down over the sink/stove assembly and that this latch should be disabled for ease of access. The easiest way to do this is to remove the little metal flange to the left to which the latch grabs a hold. This is a 30 second job and requires only a screwdriver.

One ease-of-use feature enabled by removing this latch is that it is possible for the driver to access the sink/stove while driving down the highway. Last weekend while driving down the New Jersey Turnpike I was able to fill my water kettle, turn on the propane, light the stove, boil the water, and make instant coffee in the drivers seat, all while driving down the highway at 70 miles per hour. I was alone in the vehicle and would have had to pull over otherwise.

The purpose of the latch seems to be to hold the stovetop down in the event of an accident and to keep it from vibrating on the road. But no matter how bad the road, the unit does not seem to vibrate (due to its weight) even with the latch removed. Also, I cannot see what the problem would be if the stove top were to open in the event the camper went on its side in an accident. Nobody's head is there.

All camper owners should consider printing out this note and using it as a reminder to remove the latch next time they get into their campers. Even if (for some strange reason) it makes you uneasy to make coffee while driving, removing the latch eases access to the stove/sink area from other positions in the van too.

___________________________________ Derek Drew drew@interport.net (main address for e-mail) derekdrew@aol.com (alternate/backup address, checked infrequently)


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.