Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (January 1997)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Fri, 10 Jan 1997 21:53:50 -0800
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "John P. Golden" <jpgolden@ix.netcom.com>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon high-roof sighting

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

The higher center of gravity is an illusion, as the weight remains low. With the extra weight of the Syncro transmission (AWD), and the camping equipment, much is which is mounted under the van, it is pretty stable. Last year, during a high windstorm, I drove at freeway speeds without problem and saw three passenger cars blown off the road in about 15 minutes.

The interior is quite different from the Westfalia. This conversion keeps the rear Vanagon seat, with armrests, rather than replacing it with a narrower bench seat. There is less open interior room, however, because the refrigerator and stove are built into a cabinet which stands just inside the sliding door (behind the passenger seat). We like this, though, because it allows cooking and access to the refrigerator either from inside the van or while standing outside. All of the appliances are, imho, more useful than those installed in the Westfalia: larger refrigerator (although it only runs on 12v and 120v - no propane), much larger auxiliary battery, serious interior lighting, 13 gal. water tank. It also has some stuff not even found on Westies: holding tank and propane furnace with thermostat. We have done a lot of camping in tandem with Westfalias, and all agree that the Adventurewagen interior is more convenient.

I do think the Westfalias look a bit nicer, though. However, I am usually inside looking out and wouldn't think of trading mine for a Westie.

---------- > From: lbart <lbart@preferred.com> > To: Multiple recipients of list <vanagon@lenti.med.umn.edu> > Subject: Re: Vanagon high-roof sighting > Date: Wednesday, January 08, 1997 12:03 AM > > John, > Thanks for the information. Actually, I thought it looked kinda ugly :) . > I just don't like the look of the Vanagon with the high roof. I can stand > the sight of a Bus with the high roof but it still doesn't sit very well > with me. Nothing like dramatically raising the center of gravity to add > fun to your commute :) . > > What's the interior setup on these like? Is it more convenient/less > convenient than the Westy? What's your take on it?


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.