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Protected: For $2,900, Does This 1980 VW Vanagon Camper Hit Home?
Protected: Police come up with imaginative new use for tax disc holder
Protected: Haworths helps FH Ellis drive camper van expansion
Travelling the Mississippi in a VW bus
http://www.dailygate.com/article_d8241932-4325-11e4-a211-4f544b863d36.html
Every man has a dream.
Greg Michaels of Westminster, Colo., spent the better part of 20 years dreaming of building a boat. But this was not just any boat – this was a “riverbus” and Thursday it brought him to Lee County.
A seed was planted in Michaels’ mind many years ago while traveling in the 1973 Volkswagen camper bus he owned with his wife.
“We traveled all over in this thing. The suspension was shaky and at one point we were close to the Mississippi and I thought, ‘This thing should be a boat,’” he said.
The project didn’t begin immediately, but Michaels didn’t just leave the camper bus sit in the driveway to rot either. In fact, that camper bus was still a functioning vehicle last year.
“That thing was still running last December when he (Greg) drove it into his garage to begin this journey,” said Doug Michaels, brother and road crew support member.
Now, Greg Michaels is embarking on a two-week adventure in his “riverbus.” He plans to spend a week on the river making his way to Louisiana, where he will meet his brother and they will spend another week making their way home.
Michaels has not encountered any problems with the size of his boat or from the addition of a full-sized Volkswagen. He said the addition of the camper bus actually stabilized the pontoon because of the width.
There has, however, been one minor setback in his journey. When building his boat he accidentally wired the steering incorrectly.
“When I turned left I went right and when I turned right I went left,” Michaels laughed.
Other than that minor complication, which Michaels has since repaired, the remainder of the trip has been right on schedule.
Krystal Shannon, special sections editor and a staff writer at the Fort Madison Daily Democrat, can be emailed at sseditor@dailydem.com.
Did you used to watch your mileometer do this??…..
The best campervans: Action Packed
Gear expert, Paul Hart, puts three of the best campervans to the test
Paul Hart and the VW California campervan
I own a campervan and it has become my personal mobile office and home from home. I use it often when I need to travel long distances, allowing me to travel across Europe without incurring the cost of hotels or campsites. I have always enjoyed the basic but fully adaptable nature of my van, so when I was asked to test a few campervans, I was keen to see how professional rental agencies would deliver against my own standards. The two providers who supplied me with the campervans, O’Connors Campers of Okehampton and South West Camper Hire, provided great service and ensured I was comfortable with each vehicle before I left their offices. A precise, direct comparison between the campervans is difficult as each one meets different needs.
But the ratings scored below indicate how each one worked for my personal needs. The majority of rental companies provide campervans on a VW or Fiat chassis with different ‘back ends’. It’s important to consider what your holiday will require before you choose either a modern or classic model. Some of these differences become apparent quickly once you start driving the vehicles, which can make all the difference to your holiday experience.
Campervan reviews
VW California Campervan
Details: oconnorscampers.co.uk
The VW California represents everything that is available in modern luxury campervans. Its multiple media connections allow you to link up your electronic devices to the music and BlueTooth systems. It has a built-in refrigerator and cooker, both of which worked flawlessly for me.
VW California Campervan
VW seems to have thought if everything a camper might possibly need. Chairs pop out of the tailgate, a table slides out of the side door and a further internal table allows a rear passenger to use their computer while on the move.
The roof pops up to form a really comfortable second bed and you can even fit a roof rack, although it has limited weight capacity. The front seats rotate to face the rear seats, so you can have a family meal or just sit around enjoying a drink and a chat.
The rear seats fold down to make a bed and there are full curtains all the way around so you can have privacy. This vehicle is ideal if you like to go wild camping and off the beaten track. It would suit a couple with young children who will love the experience of sleeping in its ‘pop-top’ roof. Its limitations include the lack of a toilet and washing facility. I was getting more than 35mpg and the VW California an absolute pleasure to drive.
VW California Campervan interior
The verdict
Ease to drive 5
Fixtures & fittings 5
Comfort 4
Adaptability 5
Overall 5
A hugely practical option for the adventurous traveller.
VW California Campervan
VW 1965 Barbarossa
Details: oconnorscampers.co.uk
Given its very rudimentary nature, I was amazed to find out that this vehicle is the most popular campervan on O’Connors books, particularly when its direct competition from the same firm is the state-of-the-art VW California campervan. However, after only a short period driving the vehicle I realised why so many people choose to hire this vintage above the modern VW California. The Barbarossa, the original English RHD deluxe Samba model, I tested proved to be a totally unique driving experience. From its 21 small windows (some of which are featured in the roof), to its double opening side doors and vast sun roof, this vehicle seemed to epitomise the idea of summer holidays. I struggled to get this vehicle to do more than 55mph, but the slow pace while driving around the lanes of Devon and Cornwall allowed me to really enjoy the whole driving experience. But four drum brakes and mechanical steering mean that you have to really anticipate the road ahead and use plenty of leg strength to slow down. The van turns heads and generates smiles wherever it goes, though some of that was no doubt due to my inability to find the elusive second gear.
VW 1965 Barbarossa exterior
The interior doesn’t compete in any way with what is available in modern vehicles, but that isn’t why you’d choose to take this vehicle away for a holiday. I loved the quirkiness of the interior and how it seemed to represent a time when enjoying the journey was just as important as the destination. For two people who want a bit of an adventure and to de-stress from the modern pace of life this vehicle is the one for you because it simply refuses to operate at anything other than a relaxed pace.
The interior of VW 1965 Barbarossa
The verdict (out of 5)
Ease to drive 2
Fixtures & fittings 3
Comfort 3
Adaptability 3
Overall 3
You don’t hire this vehicle for its comfort, but if you want a truly memorable holiday experience, this camper will provide it. It provides the same calming holiday experience, but only if you can learn to find the second gear.
VW 1965 Barbarossa
Fiat Trigano Tribute 650
Details: swcamperhire.com
The Tribute 650 is part way to a motorhome, as it comes equipped with a toilet and shower, but its size makes it more campervan than motorhome. I was really impressed with this van as it seemed to come with everything you could possibly need for a long trip. It is a two-berth van with the sleeping area being the lounge seats just to the rear of the driver’s seat. The beds can be made up as two singles or a double. The vehicle comes with three seat belts despite it being a two-berth van, so the option for a third person in the bed exists. The vehicle is big enough for someone to make the meal while the other person relaxes in the lounge area. The van has a large hanging wardrobe, a large fridge and a separate freezer, as well as plenty of storage space. It has heating and the fridge/freezer operate on gas or electric so aren’t dependent on the battery. One unique feature was the rooftop solar panels, which kept the leisure battery charged even with the fridge on. Fuel consumption was about 30mpg with a range of about 500 miles to the tank. Ease of driving was excellent thanks to a six-speed gearbox, cruise control and a reversing camera. I found the suspension to be slightly harsher than the VW campervans. But once the road surfaces improved the vehicle offered a comfortable and smooth drive.
Fiat Trigano Tribute 650
The verdict
Ease to drive 4
Fixtures & fittings 5
Comfort 4
Adaptability 4
Overall 4
A great two to three person campervan with some superb features. I was a bit confused by the seatbelt-sleeping arrangement and, for me, this was the one negative point of the vehicle as it didn’t make sense. The van is bigger than the VW California but cannot accommodate four people.
Fiat Trigano Tribute interior
Accessories
Vango Air Beam Airaway Kela Awning
Price: £450
Details: vango.co.uk
I’d be amiss if I didn’t mention this product, which allows you to increase the capacity of any campervan you own. Vango make a range of awnings that attach to the side of your van and I trialled their Airaway Kela Standard on the side of my own VW T30 panel van. The awning is self-supporting and allows you to drive away from it. I managed to get it up with little difficulty, despite being in blustery conditions with strong winds on an exposed moorland height. Once up I was impressed at how much the awning cut down the wind and how calm it was inside. Inside threre is a sleeping area for two as well as a separate seating area. The space between the van and the sleeping area was well protected. It significantly enhanced the versatility of my van and is a brilliant addition to any campervan to increase space and functionality.
Paul Hart next to the Vango Airway Kela attachment
More information
To buy or repair your own campervan, see www.vwcamperco.com or www.danburymotorcaravans.com
Chancellor George Osborne spends summer in a campervan with family
George Osborne has revealed he went on holiday in a Strawberry camper van over the summer because of pressure from his daughter and has lost two stone by eating healthily and running.
Mr Osborne, who has a 13-year-old son called Luke and a daughter Liberty, 11, revealed the family swapped 11 Downing Street for barbecuing burgers and sleeping in a campervan this summer. His daughter suggested they spend the summer touring Derbyshire in the van and the Chanceller said this allowed them to explore the Peak District undisturbed.
He added: “She got an idea in ther head we should get a pimped-up VW campervan. It was very cool, strawberry coloured.”
Mr Osborne said the van hire company initially did not believe who he was when he hired the VW and he had to prove who he was by going through a google search with staff.
Devon confirms Moonraker Mark 6 campervan prices
VW campervan manufacturer, Devon Conversions, has confirmed prices for its Mark 6 Moonraker, which will be launched next month at the NEC motorhome show in Birmingham The New Moonraker starts at the same price of £37,182 (ex-works) as the Mark 5.
The company said a couple of new conversions on 2011 Volkswagens have already been built with prices from £29,995.
The converter says the new model has some interesting design tweaks that will appeal to many buyers. “After 58 years, it might be thought there is nothing new to do to with VW camper design but we have listened to our customers and tried to offer all the features we have been asked for, with as much choice as possible,” says Devon Conversions Managing Director, Peter Gowland.
The Moonraker 6 has both high-top or elevating roof options and now brings the choice of glass, tinted glass or double glazed windows with blinds and flyscreens (so important for those who visit Scotland) in all models.
There is a choice of Dometic three way fridge or a compressor type, an oven and grille and increased gas storage to accommodate two Calor Gas 4.5kg bottles.
The hob/sink is a new Smev unit with split glass lids and storage space has been created for the standard-fit crockery.
The water pump has been changed to a more substantial pressurised type and fitted internally to stop any freezing problems.
The Moonraker 6 retains the same basic layout with both cab seats that swivel and, most important of all, a big comfortable bed.
Devon’s unique rear layflat seat has been modified to give even more rear storage space (room for a large dog) but still offers the same flat mattress with 5″ Reflex foam, an improvement over sleeping on the back of the backrest as in some competing conversions.
Used versions can also be specified with a swivelling double front passenger seat, giving the ability to carry five people in seats each fitted with three point safety belts and increasing Moonraker’s versatility as everyday family transport.
“Devon Conversions has played an important part in the life of the VW camper van,” said Peter. “No other make has been built and sold in the UK for so many years and we pride ourselves on our heritage. “But Moonraker 6 is very much the VW campervan for today’s market and the list of equipment makes it truly versatile.”
1. Welcome to the VWT2OC website…
The Volkswagen Type 2 Owners Club is a UK national club for owners and enthusiasts of the classic Volkswagen transporter van.There are also some most welcome members from outside the UK.
If you are a type 2 enthusiast why not join us ?
The Club aims to help its members maintain their vehicles both as preserved historic vans and as restored, or otherwise reclaimed, going concerns keeping a family travelling and camping happily. From the technical team helping out with advice, to the mutual support of other owners chatting at events and camps, there is plenty to encourage even the most reluctant restorer. Our members are spread right across the UK, and the Club tries to provide activities and events that everyone can attend and enjoy. Mostly, we run camps and rallies where members meet up and relax. There are also valuations and restoration teaching rallies. Finally, we also have a strong presence at some of the country’s biggest VW events, including Camper Jam, BVF and Busfest.
Please allow 14 days following payment for your application to be processed.
If it is urgent you may be given a temporary membership number on an e mail request to the membership secretaries.
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or Download the application form here and post us a cheque!!
