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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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 Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 6:17 pm Post subject: |
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Careful here. The terms, camper and weekender take on different specs depending on year. Plus those are not the only models. Examp[e: Some Weekenders have a pop top and some not depending on the model year. It is not exactly straight forward. Somewhere, and I forget where, the model names and features are listed.
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"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
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mtwrench540
Samba Member
Joined: October 25, 2009
Posts: 351
Location: monterey,va
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| Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 4:10 pm Post subject: westy or not |
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we have found a wolfsberg to work very nicely,rear seat folds to gueen size bed,center jump seats are removable,just camp where h2o and electric are available and improvise on cooking and coffee and heat if needed!! and wlii fit in garage,6'2" tall!
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87 wolfsberg,74 181w/1915 and lots of patina! learned to fix vw's from hot vw mag in 1964,VWOA instructor,DSM,69 to73,service mgr at different porsche-audi dealers etc,etc,now retired!!! first vw new 64,transplanted 356 eng in 65,400characters are not enough space!! |
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Ahwahnee
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 9810
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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| Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 4:09 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie with Questions- Weekender Vrs. Westy |
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| onemat wrote: |
| ...Can they fit height-wise in a standard garage? |
As noted, their height varies as does the height of 'standard' garages -- even the slope of the driveway can affect the height requirement.
Carefully measure your garage door opening height, some doors can be adjusted to open a bit more if an extra inch will do it.
When you measure a prospective van know that the skylight (if it has one) is likely the highest point.
Ballpark is that you need about 7' of clearance. |
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WestyBob
Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2004
Posts: 2346
Location: Portland, Oregon
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| Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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| kamzcab86 wrote: |
| Weekender: One cabinet, no kitchenette but fold-out table w/ pop-top. |
The original westy weekenders of years 85-87 had a rear corner closet/shelves cabinet and a overhead rear cabinet. In addition to storage under the bench, also has storage under the jumpseat behind the driver's seat. Came with a dometic ac/dc cooler that sat behind the passenger seat with a lighter outlet on the inside seat base.
The later year multivans had the cabinetry and carats just the fold out table but usually neither the jump seat storage nor cooler.
These days many westy/weekenders have been reworked to owner preference. |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7922
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 3:20 pm Post subject: |
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Westy: Has cabinets and a kitchenette w/ pop-top.
Weekender: One cabinet, no kitchenette but fold-out table w/ pop-top.
More space in a Weekender for hauling stuff. If you don't care about the kitchenette, a Weekender would probably be better suited to your needs. I see them for sale all the time, so they aren't exactly hard to come by.
I was torn between the two as well, but I finally came to the conclusion that I wanted an all-encompassing camper... I wanted the kitchenette and I use every one of those appliances. I would've been disappointed with just the Weekender.
Go take a look at a few different ones... you'll get a better idea of which one you'd prefer.
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~Kamz 
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
 1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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WestyBob
Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2004
Posts: 2346
Location: Portland, Oregon
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| Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 3:17 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie with Questions- Weekender Vrs. Westy |
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| onemat wrote: |
OK, I'm a newbie with zero owner experience. I plan to purchase a Vanagon in Spring, in the April or May time frame. I know I want a water cooled, 4 speed. I plan to travel and camp, but also use it to haul my drums for weekend gigs. What I don't know is whether I want a Westy or not. Do they leak? Can they fit height-wise in a standard garage? There's just two of us, to the upper bunk isn't a necessity, but something tells me there are more Westys out there than Weekenders. Please give me pros and cons or a some compairison info. to help me nail down what I will buy.
Thanks much,
Matt |
They don't leak if the seals are replaced. If it has a skylight it may leak but easily repaired.
Westies come in many different heights now due to changes/upgrades with suspensions, tires/wheels, roof racks, etc. So the only way to answer is measure the one your interested in and compare to your garage clearance.
There are currently more full westies than weekenders. There are also westy and tin-top weekenders (usually carats).
It may boil down to the kitchen unit. Do you want that or not inside ? Pros are having the convenience of a range, sink and fridge. Cons include extra weight and operational issues. Many with weekenders prefer using a portable Coleman range and a ice chest or power thermo chest. Some remove the upper bunk for extra storage.
The westies allow stand up room inside as do the high-tops, the tin-tops allow for storage with cargo boxes and racks. Many have added racks on their pop-tops as well but may require stronger replacement shocks to open/close. |
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shadetreetim
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2011
Posts: 1994
Location: Riverside, California
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| Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 3:12 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome Matt.
This topic has been beaten to death, use the search for many opinions. Which one is better is a personal decision. Everyone's usage is different. The wife and I don't like to cook or wash dishes inside the Van, nor would we use the upper bunk, so a tintop has been fine for us. Although the Weekender would be my preference since the poptop would allow me to stand up. What I wouldn't like is the rear cabinet cutting into the sleeping area.
If you don't have a preference, it may boil down to what you find available and what shape it's in. There's no bad choice here. Good luck with your search.
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Doing my best every time I drive it to dispel the myth these Vanagons have to be slow!
'89 Vanagon Bluestar/Country Homes 1.8T & .77 4th
'74 Jeep CJ5 |
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onemat
Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2011
Posts: 418
Location: Ashland City, TN
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| Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 2:51 pm Post subject: Newbie with Questions- Weekender Vrs. Westy |
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OK, I'm a newbie with zero owner experience. I plan to purchase a Vanagon in Spring, in the April or May time frame. I know I want a water cooled, 4 speed. I plan to travel and camp, but also use it to haul my drums for weekend gigs. What I don't know is whether I want a Westy or not. Do they leak? Can they fit height-wise in a standard garage? There's just two of us, to the upper bunk isn't a necessity, but something tells me there are more Westys out there than Weekenders. Please give me pros and cons or a some compairison info. to help me nail down what I will buy.
Thanks much,
Matt |
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