New girl here! Help me convince husband on a Eurovan

[Genwills]

I have my husband halfway on board but he needs some encouragement. We are and family of 5, 3 kiddos under 8. I’m planning a road trip to S CA from OR this summer for kids and I. We have 2 vehicles atm (me and kiddos are crammed in a Ford Escape) and will replace his with a eurovan weekender Which will be my “dd”

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/d/portland-1999-vw-eurovan-weekender/6861572888.html

Considering this one. Thoughts?

[Zeitgeist 13]

If indeed the engine and trans were recently rebuilt, then that's probably a really decent deal. We wish we had bought a Weekender back when our two kids were the ages you're describing. I would strongly recommend some kind of rear cargo carrier, as a full family can fill up the interior with a lot of stuff real quick. An awning is also highly suggested.

_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[Abscate]

Find out who did the engine and trans rebuild, realize that any warranty in these will not transfer to you,

It should start , run, shift perfectly or you need to budget 5 k to refurbish
_________________
.ssS!

[IdeaNerd]

We bought our first one up in Oregon, and drove it down to California. We liked it so much we bought another one the following year.

That price seems very reasonable to me if the rebuilds are, as @Abscate notes, done by reputable firms, and all seems solid and positive during test drive.

Your kids are at a great age for it, IMO. I still have very fond memories of road trips and camping trips we took as family when I was a kid (in late-60s / mid-70s T2s, and later, a T3). You don't get a second chance to create those times together.

If you buy it and end up for some reason not liking it, assuming no major mechanical rebuilds during your ownership (see caveat above), you could buy it, take a few camping trips and your OR -> CA road trip, and likely sell it this fall or next spring for at least the same ballpark dollars without much financial loss.



Plus, you if you drive down Highway One, you get to have nice picnics and hang-out times on the cliffs without the wind driving you crazy.

If you do buy this one or another Weekender, two suggestions:

1) Check out some of the posts here where folks have made an extra sleeping bed for little ones up front (above the front seats) or in back (over the rear bed when unfolded). With three kids, that might prove handy.

2) Take a few weekend camping trips first, before your long road trip, to work out the kinks of camping / setup, figuring out who does what, etc. You'll be happier for it.

Best of luck to you! Let us know how it goes, and what you end up doing.

[Genwills]

[Genwills]

[Genwills]

[Abscate]

[Genwills]

[Genwills]

Can anybody recommend where to go for initial inspection?

[Genwills]

[markcm2]

These are all great recommendations from the group.

In addition and on the personal front, we did not buy our EV until our kids were about 15 and 18 years old and in hindsight buying it 10 years earlier would have been one of the best investments of our life.

Here is another EV camper with looking at

1997 VW Eurovan Winnebago Camper https://bellingham.craigslist.org/cto/d/bellingham-1997-vw-eurovan-winnebago/6859642511.html

[IdeaNerd]

[rcowan]

I've heard good things about Hillside Import or Futrell Autowerks. I'm too far away to have used them myself but friends have....

I also second building a sleeping area up front for one of the youngest to sleep. Works well.

[Genwills]

I just wanted to take a minute and thank ALL OF YOU! All of your reply’s. have been so helpful, and I so appreciate you taking time from your regular scheduled lives to help my family make the right decision. First van was a definite no go! On to the next!

[thallihan]

Out of curiosity, what made it a no-go?

And did you end up purchasing a van eventually?

[Abscate]

[Genwills]

[RichBenn]

So with your kids, maybe consider a Rialta, built on a Eurovan chassis. Much more room, still great MPG, and actually less expensive than a Eurovan. This from a Vanagon owner who was tired of the noise and lack of bathroom.

If you or your husband is 6' or taller, then maybe not. These aren't known for headroom.
_________________
Rich

[TDCTDI]