New to Vandwelling, Considering VW Vanagon

[RudyHall]

Hail, vandwellers!

I've decided to hit the road and try out the vandwelling life. I'm currently in the research phase and I'm looking at what vehicle to purchase. A Volkswagen Vanagon seems like a good fit for me for a number of reasons. Firstly, since I was about twelve, I've wanted an old Volkswagen. At times it's been a Bus, at times it's been a Bug, but it's always been an old VW. Secondly, I know a very well respected old timer VW mechanic who works on nothing but air-cooled VWs who I trust, can buy my van from, and take to for repairs in case of emergency.

As for the exact type, I'm not 100% sure. There is a lot of conflicting information about the types of Vanagons, no doubt due to the aftermarket nature of conversions (if I understand the process correctly). I quite like the conversions I've seen that have cabinets, swivel chairs, tables, and a bed. While the full stove and refridgerator features of the Westfalia seem nice, I've been told they tend to break eventually and am better off without them and simply using external stoves and ice boxes. This is fortunate, since the mechanic I know tends to remove the stoves and fridges from Westfalias anyways.

What do you think? I was just wondering if any of you had experiences to share in Vanagons. Anything in particular you liked or didn't like, or any advice to someone buying his first van-dwelling? My only particular questions were on the matress and top options. I spent part of my life on a futon which started to give me back pain until I bought a traditional mattress. The mattresses in the Vanagons I saw looked similar to the futon I used to sleep on. Have any of you experienced similar issues? As for the top, I cannot currently imagine needing a pop-top, as I will be traveling alone. Have any of you had this mindset then regretted not having one? I would just like to have all my bases covered.

Thanks.

 

[AltTransBikes]

Howdy and welcome! There is a ton of info available on the net to do with the many permutations the Vanagon may take. One I've found most enjoyable: http://www.tosimplify.net/p/rig.html Best of luck with your endeavors.

 

[akrvbob]

Welcome! I hope you will forgive me if I am frank with you. We all love VWs!! They have a cult following and just the thought of them warms your heart! The very best thing about them is the wonderful people who own them and take care of each other. But for most people, they are not a good choice to live in.

But here are the cold hard facts as I understand them (but are just my personal opinion):

1) They are unreliable--expect to make lots of repairs. Most modern Japanese or American vans are drastically more reliable and trouble-free.
2) They are underpowered and don't like hills.
3) It's great you have a local gurus, but will he be traveling with you? There will be times when finding parts and service will be hard and expensive and if you can't fix it yourself you could have problems.
4) They have much less room than full-size vans.
5) Even though they have less room, they don't get as good a MPG. Many modern vans get 18 mpg or more.

But, many people choose them and love them in spite of their "idiosyncrasy"! I just want you to make an informed decision
Bob

 

[AltTransBikes]

It's true, most of the die-hard Vanagon fans I've known were gearheads and knew which end of a wrench was what. Thus the VW can be quite easily be kept reliable by the home mechanic. Testament to their reliability is I've seen them camping all over the world, to some of the most remote parts of Africa, Central America and Mexico, as well up north in AK.

 

[Donedirtcheap]

I never owned a vw van but Ive had 3 bugs and they were lots of work.
When you break down and you're in a Ford, Chevy or Dodge and its in the middle of nowhere you will find parts and someone to work on it. Junk yards are full of parts. You can find parts at Oreilly's or auto Zone etc on Sunday evening.

If you have your heart set on it and have the bucks, the link that Alttransbikes posted with the Zetec Ford engine upgrade is too cool!!!!

 

[user 423]

The VW legend was built on the reliability and simplicity of the early air-cooled engines. They were great if you didn't worry too much about safety,emissions or performance. Back in the day, I put many 1000's of miles on a '70 bus that I did 100% of the repairs on including an engine rebuild. Climbing mountains was not it's strong suit. Even a standard bus like mine was underpowered and the extra weight of a camper version would really make for some slow going in the hills.
In the late '70s, VW began a switch to liquid cooled engines, mainly to raise power but also to lower emissions. They still offered air-cooled engines but they weren't as good as the originals. Some of the early water cooled Vanagon engines were very unreliable and also costly to repair. The lower, sleeker and more modern Vanagon was an improvement over the old bus but the design still leaves you pretty vulnerable in the event of a frontal collision. Mounting the spare at the front offers a little more protection but not much.
To solve the power and reliability problem some folks started installing Subaru engines. The power was about twice what the old buses offered and with fuel injection the MPG was as good or even a little better. Actually they make adapters to put many different types of engines in the VWs but it's either very expensive to have a conversion done or you'd need to be your own mechanic.
At one time, what with gas prices going higher and higher, I was convinced this was the way to go if you wanted to do a lot of travelling. These days though, I prefer the extra safety and roominess of a full-sized Dodge van.

 

[steamjam1]

welcome@! I hope you know how to work on old VW's... Those VW buses and vanagons aren't the most reliable vehicles out there. Not to mention they are expensive to fix when they do go wonky.

 

[RudyHall]

Thank you all very much for all your insight. I have a lot more to consider now.

 

[Patrick46]

If you have your heart set on it and have the bucks, the link that Alttransbikes posted with the Zetec Ford engine upgrade is too cool!!!!

I completely agree!!

I could almost see doing that mysself!

 

[rvwandering]

I have to agree with akrvbob - We all love them! But everything else that he says is true too. When we were a lot younger we lived and traveled in a Westphalia Vanagon ( early model with an ice box, hand pumped sink, no stove, heat or electric outlets ) for a year and had an absolute blast, however, having said that, a VW van won't be my choice now. It just seems that there are better options available.

If you need some reading material this is an excellent blog - http://www.bumfuzzle.com/blog/2007/09/03/september-2007/
From Alaska to South America, across the ocean and through Europe in a 58 VW bus.

 

[user 423]

If you need some reading material this is an excellent blog - http://www.bumfuzzle.com/blog/2007/09/03/september-2007/
From Alaska to South America, across the ocean and through Europe in a 58 VW bus.

Thanks for that link T-K. That is one pretty little bus.

 

[steamjam1]

In the past I have considered an old VW. My idea was to forgo the air cooled and go Toyota OHC.

You can get VW bus engine adapters from these guys:

http://www.kennedyenginc.com/Pages/default.aspx

 

[Blue]

my biggest problem with the VWs isnt the engines (4 bolts to remove the entire thing) or the mantinance which is a big issue... it's the "DIRTY HIPPIES ARE LIVING IN HERE!" message they scream, its all but impossible to steath in them, and the preconcieved notions about the VW minibuses are like cop magnets. I love the concept but unless you plan to do paid campgrounds or walmarts only (and if you are going that route wouldent you want the added space of an RV like a winnie?) I think vandwelling in a VW or eurovan is more trouble than you'd expect.

 

[signman]

A great book on VW maintainence : "How to keep your Volkswagon alive, a guide for the complete idiat" by John Muir Or something like that. Covers the air cooled version very well.

http://www.amazon.com/How-Keep-Your-Volkswagen-Alive/dp/1562614800

I hope this works, Duane

Oh, And welcome from north Florida, We're here to help.

 

[caseyc]

Everyone loves a camper version Vanagon. Even to this day, I always like to take a peek inside one whenever I see one parked nearby. But after researching this topic for many months, I decided against it. After reaching much about the Vanagon, I came to the conclusion I would have to pay somewhere around $25k to $35k for a completely refurbished Vanagon with all new innards (engine, parts, etc) in order for it to be considered "reliable". That's way more than I want to spend for something that's around 30 years old. Actually, I would rather choose a later model EuroVan simply because it's "newer" and hopefully more reliable without requiring so much aftermarket refurbishing. The other main things that sort of turned me off to Vanagons is the manual stick transmissions. Although I know how to drive a manual, I way prefer automatic. Plus the fold down rear bench seat/bed, although elegant in design, is not long enough for sleeping (in my opinion). I don't like the thought of my feet/ankles hanging over the edge. I realize a lot of this is subject to personal opinions, but those were the things that stuck out in my mind.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Everyone loves a camper version Vanagon. Even to this day, I always like to take a peek inside one whenever I see one parked nearby. But after researching this topic for many months, I decided against it. After reaching much about the Vanagon, I came to the conclusion I would have to pay somewhere around $25k to $35k for a completely refurbished Vanagon with all new innards (engine, parts, etc) in order for it to be considered "reliable". That's way more than I want to spend for something that's around 30 years old.

As a counterpoint, lets remember that once a vehicle is collectable, it stops depreciating and keeps going up in value instead. It's entirely possible you could spend $30k on a restored Vanagon, travel around in it for 5 years or so, and then sell it for more than $30k.

You can't do that with a cargo van or regular RV.

Regards
John

 

[caseyc]

Again, I think a Vanagon is very cool. The only thing I would worry about is the age of the average Vanagon which *might* cause potential problems. I've been following this particular van dweller on YouTube (see above link) who owns a Vanagon, and he's been having mechanical problems lately.

As a counterpoint, lets remember that once a vehicle is collectable, it stops depreciating and keeps going up in value instead. It's entirely possible you could spend $30k on a restored Vanagon, travel around in it for 5 years or so, and then sell it for more than $30k.

You can't do that with a cargo van or regular RV.

Regards
John

 

[Reducto]

I looked into VWs at first but was turned off due to the high costs and low reliability. Then I found the old 84-89 Toyota vans and they called to me! So weird looking, cheap, and reliable. Plus I had history with Japanese vehicles of various ages and felt comfortable working on them. It cost me $1500 for the van and another $1500 or so in overdue repairs and maintenance before I felt comfortable going cross-country. 2 years and 30k miles later I'm still very happy in it, other then when I get stuck in sand like I did a few days ago. My current plan is to find a 4x4 and rebuild/repaint/customize the crap out of it.

Having said that - if the VW is what is calling to you and you can find the money, I say go for it! Do your research and come up with a reasonable assessment of how much money and work it will be and where you will find the major parts. If you still find the idea appealing, make it happen. You have to go with your heart

Here's another good blog:
http://www.drivenachodrive.com/

 

[spd2918]

I like the VW layout, but after having a few aircooled VWs (and their crappy heaters) I will try to replicate the interior set up in a full sized van. More space, more mileage, more power, more heat, AC, parts everywhere, and they cost less.

The only reason to get a VW camper is nostalgia. Bob said it best.

 

[akrvbob]

In any way that can be measured today's American and Japanese vans are far superior.

But you can't measure "cool." and that's what you are buying (and paying a fortune for) with a VW.

I guess I'm not that cool!!
Bob