Date: Tue, 23 Sep 1997 05:53:34 -0400
Reply-To: "Drew B. Farenwald" <dbf@ARL.MIL>
Sender: Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From: "Drew B. Farenwald" <dbf@ARL.MIL>
Subject: Re: importing a EV Westi
In-Reply-To: <v02140b03b04c16661d3f@[209.90.222.25]>
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On Mon, 22 Sep 1997, tellis wrote:
> Good Question! I have seen and driven the EV Winnie and I have only read
> about and seen literature from Germany on the EV Westie. The engines are
> the same as are most of the mechanical and driving systems.
>
> Advantages that I see:
> 1. The refrigerator is 12 volt, and evidently very reliable. The door
> lifts up, which makes it much more efficient.
The Winnebago has a 3-way, which includes 12V and has been, at least for
me, very reliable. I don't understand the door thing. How is a door that
"lifts up" more efficient? Based on this, I would go for the 3-way
Norcold in the Winnebago.
> 2. Drainboard comes down over stove and drains into the sink as previous Westie.
I can put a drainboard on top of the stove. Not a big deal.
> 3. Storage seems better designed in cab and in back.
Now I can see where cabinet design could be different. Is the
Westfalia floorplan different? Or just different shaped cabinets and doors?
What's better?
> 4. Color choices other than white.
Yeh. White's fine. But wouldn't be my first choice.
> 5. Well -- it's a Westie!
Mmmm. Not an advantage in itself.
> Possible Disadvantages:
> 1. Top has less head room. It is low profile like the weekender EVs that
> were imported to the US.
Less is bad.
> 2. Canvas in poptop has screen only on front, not on the sides as well as
> in the EV Winnie.
This is major. I can't imagine not having the sidescreens and why
anyone would produce a top without them.
> 3. Because the top is low profile and goes the entire length of the van,
> it doesn't have the storage area above the drivers/passenger seat. This
> could be a driving and fuel mileage advantage.
Minor. But of what use is the interior space above the cab? I
can't imagine a need to stand there.
> 4. No small sink/spray accessible from the rear.
Real handy.
> 5. Possible more difficulty in locating replacement parts for camping
> components.
Possibly a major problem.
Overall, I still have not read nor seen any information that makes me
conclude that Westfalia does a better job at conversion than Winnebago.
Thanx for the info!
--Drew
95 EV-C (Beulah)