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If the Westy did not exist, what would you buy?
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Westified
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 8:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have to agree, if Mercedes brings in the Marco Polo I would seriously consider it. As long as they have good parts and service in the US and Canada. It could tow my Boston Whaler, fit in my garage in case of a hurricane and have good AC. I wish VW didnt abandon the US market.
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ThankYouJerry
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 9:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would consider the Marco Polo if there was a "Weekender" version Razz .
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Zeitgeist 13
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 9:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I love Mercedes engineering, but their contemporary vehicle design has strayed way too far from the old Form Follows Function credo. Too many swoops, dips and curlicues.

I prefer the old school inside-the-box box of boxes treatment.

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VAG got my memo. Just a box of boxes. No ribbons or bows

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Dana Champion
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 10:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Winnebago Travato
20' 11" long

Ram Promaster Chassis -
280-hp, 3.6L V6 gas engine, 6 speed automatic 62TE transmission, 180 amp alternator

4 Wheel ABS brakes

LED ceiling, power awning lights

Pretty Sweet !....


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Dana Champion
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 5:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok, You might think that I like the Winnebago Travato....

Well, I do!...

Just looked at this newer floorplan at my local RV dealer. Very spacious, for a van conversion. Nice bed sitch. Dining space is a bit small. No real table, but this thing is pretty nice. The Fiamma rack, and red paint, are optionial.

Coming soon : Optional 3.0L Ecodiesel I 4; 174 hp /295 lb-ft of torque



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Merian
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 12:31 pm    Post subject: Re: If the Westy did not exist, what would you buy? Reply with quote

This pic shows why the Sprinter can never really replace a Westy Vanagon - it is just too large:

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Tristar Eric
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 7:23 pm    Post subject: Re: If the Westy did not exist, what would you buy? Reply with quote

Larger yes, more modern drivetrain, yes. They drive rather well, and who wouldn't want more space?

The 144" wheelbase version is very manageable. I've driven the 170" version, that one is long and has a hard time fitting in a parking space.

come to the dark side!
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Merian
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 8:00 pm    Post subject: Re: If the Westy did not exist, what would you buy? Reply with quote

I have a LOT more space - I just open the slider. To me, the point of a camper is to camp, which means some degree of interaction with the ambient environment.

OTOH, when I was a 20-30 year old who used a Bay to drive from one trailhead to another I did not think about having a fridge or stove (or water-cooling)...

So maybe a garganuation RV thing is in my future when I hit 90... things should be pretty dark by then.
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westyventures
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 8:07 pm    Post subject: Re: If the Westy did not exist, what would you buy? Reply with quote

Tristar Eric wrote:
Larger yes, more modern drivetrain, yes. They drive rather well, and who wouldn't want more space?

The 144" wheelbase version is very manageable. I've driven the 170" version, that one is long and has a hard time fitting in a parking space.

come to the dark side!


Having just returned from an insane ice, snow, and wind-filled 7200-mile trip east, north, and back to central Oregon in my '03 140" Sprinter, I didn't miss my Westy as much as I thought I might. The stability in the winds, traction control, ABS, and plenty of power to cruise all day long at 75-80 loaded, AND not worry about breakage - priceless. Loved the space, turning circle about the same, but I'm not done building yet...and 4x4 parts yet to bolt in. Wink
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Zeitgeist 13
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 8:14 pm    Post subject: Re: If the Westy did not exist, what would you buy? Reply with quote

This ain't that much bigger than a T3. We have its 2WD Doppelganger driving around my town, and it's a sweet little rig

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y u rune klassik?
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ThankYouJerry
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 9:01 pm    Post subject: Re: If the Westy did not exist, what would you buy? Reply with quote

Zeitgeist 13 wrote:
This ain't that much bigger than a T3. We have its 2WD Doppelganger driving around my town, and it's a sweet little rig

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That is indeed a nice compact version of the Sprinter. Is it the smallest available Sprinter? What is the interior cubic foot comparison to a Vanagon? Is a pop-top version/conversion available? Available in the US? Inquiring minds want to know! Wink
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jackbombay
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 10:18 pm    Post subject: Re: If the Westy did not exist, what would you buy? Reply with quote

ThankYouJerry wrote:
Zeitgeist 13 wrote:
This ain't that much bigger than a T3. We have its 2WD Doppelganger driving around my town, and it's a sweet little rig

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


That is indeed a nice compact version of the Sprinter. Is it the smallest available Sprinter? What is the interior cubic foot comparison to a Vanagon? Is a pop-top version/conversion available? Available in the US? Inquiring minds want to know! Wink


Only sold in 2002 and 203 I'm pretty sure, it is the 118" wheel base. Very few sold, so they are rare. It has the same engine as the larger ones though so it has a LOT of giddy up as it weighs so much less...
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jackbombay
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 10:19 pm    Post subject: Re: If the Westy did not exist, what would you buy? Reply with quote

Merian wrote:
This pic shows why the Sprinter can never really replace a Westy Vanagon - it is just too large:

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The NCV3 vans are a lot bigger than the 1st generation (T1N) vans, based on the fender to tire wheel gap that sprinter looks like its 4wd too which makes them ~3" taller than the 2wd vans...
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Last edited by jackbombay on Wed Jan 13, 2016 10:28 pm; edited 1 time in total
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jackbombay
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 10:27 pm    Post subject: Re: If the Westy did not exist, what would you buy? Reply with quote

westyventures wrote:
plenty of power to cruise all day long at 75-80 loaded


Yep, I can load 1500 pounds of tools food toys and water in my van and I'm still ~1000 pounds under max allowable vehicle weight, (I have about 600 pounds of built in weight for my DIY conversion) and even with all that cargo I get %25 better fuel economy than a westy...~23 MPG at 70-72 MPH

I know a lot of people around here like to brag about loading their vans past GVWR, but I much prefer to keep machinery in its "happy zone" that means using it largely as the designers intended. Going for a 2+ week trip in a westy and staying under GVWR is tough...
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westyventures
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 10:38 pm    Post subject: Re: If the Westy did not exist, what would you buy? Reply with quote

jackbombay wrote:


Yep, I can load 1500 pounds of tools food toys and water in my van and I'm still ~1000 pounds under max allowable vehicle weight, (I have about 600 pounds of built in weight for my DIY conversion) and even with all that cargo I get %25 better fuel economy than a westy...~23 MPG at 70-72 MPH



And mine is a 3500, so it laughs at heavy loads. I wasn't ready to do the full battery bank install before my trip started, but needed ballast...so three Trojan T1275s between the wheel wells helped. Plus I overpacked everything, and a couple boxes of stuff I didn't really need. Return trip I managed to fit a 7.5-cf fridge, a whole old-school stacked stereo system and two big boxes of LPs under the raised bed and still didn't impinge on camper space. I needed the ballast when driving through WI, MN, SD and out through WY in multiple storms. Nice to relax and know the vehicle can handle it all without stressing anything. Even running duals and Duratracs, it returns a solid 20 mpg average. Cool
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svenakela
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 12:53 am    Post subject: Re: If the Westy did not exist, what would you buy? Reply with quote

MB TN1!!!
Seriously. I love my Vanagon but NONE of the VWs are up to par with the quality of my 307D! Even the small diesels they came with in the early days are unkillable and the later models with the OM602 engine are known for passing 650000 miles on service only!
We are converting our MB into an overlander for long trips all year around. Can they be killer styled? You bet.

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Are they easy working with? Let me put it this way; if you need to pull the engine you unscrew four bolts and lift up the entire front. Then it's just a matter of putting a pallet lifter under the oil pan, remove the tranny bolts and pull the lifter straight out. You can WALK into the engine compartment.
Replacing the clutch takes 1.5 hours from ignition off to restart. Please ask me how I know. Smile
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Dana Champion
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 8:57 am    Post subject: Re: If the Westy did not exist, what would you buy? Reply with quote

140" Sprinter. Looks like the Sportsmobile. Looks pretty sweet! This body style ended with the 2006 year model, as did the 118".


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MidwestDrifter
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 9:41 am    Post subject: Re: If the Westy did not exist, what would you buy? Reply with quote

Dana Champion wrote:
140" Sprinter. Looks like the Sportsmobile. Looks pretty sweet! This body style ended with the 2006 year model, as did the 118".


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The slightly lifted T1N sprinters do look good to me as well.

Here is a 118 wheelbase T1N with a lift and big tires. ~6-10" wider, and 3' taller than a westy?

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I think the T1N sprinters are a good mix of newer tech/features, and a simpler layout.
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Zeitgeist 13
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 9:51 am    Post subject: Re: If the Westy did not exist, what would you buy? Reply with quote

svenakela wrote:
MB TN1!!!
Seriously. I love my Vanagon but NONE of the VWs are up to par with the quality of my 307D! Even the small diesels they came with in the early days are unkillable and the later models with the OM602 engine are known for passing 650000 miles on service only!
We are converting our MB into an overlander for long trips all year around. Can they be killer styled? You bet.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Are they easy working with? Let me put it this way; if you need to pull the engine you unscrew four bolts and lift up the entire front. Then it's just a matter of putting a pallet lifter under the oil pan, remove the tranny bolts and pull the lifter straight out. You can WALK into the engine compartment.
Replacing the clutch takes 1.5 hours from ignition off to restart. Please ask me how I know. Smile


What 4x4 drivetrain are you running under there?

The OM602 is my absolute favorite IDI engine. They can be tweaked to produce ungodly amounts of torque, and still hold together with the stock short block and slight port work in the heads. I wish they were as efficient as the later DI engines, 'cause the simplicity and reliability of mechanical injection is appealing relative to drive by wire.
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tarandusVDub
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 10:02 am    Post subject: Re: If the Westy did not exist, what would you buy? Reply with quote

jackbombay wrote:
ThankYouJerry wrote:
Zeitgeist 13 wrote:
This ain't that much bigger than a T3. We have its 2WD Doppelganger driving around my town, and it's a sweet little rig

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


That is indeed a nice compact version of the Sprinter. Is it the smallest available Sprinter? What is the interior cubic foot comparison to a Vanagon? Is a pop-top version/conversion available? Available in the US? Inquiring minds want to know! Wink


Only sold in 2002 and 203 I'm pretty sure, it is the 118" wheel base. Very few sold, so they are rare. It has the same engine as the larger ones though so it has a LOT of giddy up as it weighs so much less...


Wow, something modern in this size in 4WD would be extremely tempting. Why did they only have 2 model years? Too small? Were they sold in the US?
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