Wish I'd never seen this - SO MUCH WANT!
Vanagain.
Yep - they are cool. The placement of the vr6 in those is no fun to work on at all though.
They also make them in two tone.
I like the concept, but would love to see it applied to an American or Asian vehicle.
Is there some irony there that they name the model California but you can't buy on in California?
bmw88rider wrote: Is there some irony there that they name the model California but you can't buy on in California?
Is not actually a Le Mans car.
VW campers never really went away. They were available with the Eurovan from a couple of sources. There's really not much else in that category to choose from - the Winnebago Sprinter conversions are a size up and will set you back six figures.
If you wanted to cook up your own modern sundial (no pop-top) using a new minivan - what's your starting point?
I'm ignorant in the ways of minivans, but I'm guessing Metris?
Edit: "new" = 2017 model year w/manufacturer's warranty
In reply to bludroptop:
Does Chrysler still do the Caravan as a work truck or did they switch over to the transit style completely? I figure one of those would be the easiest start simply because the back is already empty.
bludroptop wrote: If you wanted to cook up your own modern sundial (no pop-top) using a new minivan - what's your starting point? I'm ignorant in the ways of minivans, but I'm guessing Metris? Edit: "new" = 2017 model year w/manufacturer's warranty
That depends what you're looking for?
The Metris is one of the few modern minivans that is RWD, and possible AWD in the future. They don't make them in factory high-top or various lengths. They are sized similarly (126" wheelbase) to the Sienna (119") or Caravan, but are shaped to allow for much larger interior space.
The Ford Transit and Mercedes Sprinter are available in diesel, gas, rwd, and 4x4 (Sprinter). Body configurations are varied, and you can get them in a short wheelbase (144") high roof (6.3'). See also the FWD Dodge ProMaster and truck based Nissan NV2500 (soon to be diesel).
In the "Tradesman Van" segment, such as the Transit Connect, NV200, Dodge City, you can get a FWD car-based platform that still have enough space to lay in the back, but might require pull the front seats forward. You also won't find a ton of headroom in this segment, but you might get 30mpg highway. I haven't seen any yet that are slated for AWD or 4x4 in the future, and lifting them can be difficult.
If someone handed me $35k and said go buy one and travel the country in it, I'd probably look at the Metris with a lift kit and some burly tires. Maybe talk with the guys at http://iglhaut-allrad.de/allrad/
If someone gave me $55, I'd probably go with a Quigley or Quadravan Transit.
I'd love to see Nissan do a diesel 4x4 NV2500 with the front end of the new Titan or Armada.
Sometime this year the awd Transits are supposedly coming. I may convert mine if the parts aren't too bad.
Pop-top Transit Connect?
In reply to pheller:
I was just in a Metris the other day. It's a really nice size. I wish I had picked up my friend's AWD Astro a few years ago. With a little lift it would have made a nice off road camper.
In reply to bludroptop:
I agree with pheller - it depends on what you want.
I bought my '08 Grand Caravan with the hope it could be a replacement for my old full size conversion van for camper duty when bike riding. For that purpose, it has proved to be too small. I built a platform for a bed so there would be underside storage (height set by my cooler), but the bed to ceiling height precludes being able to sit on the bed. Since having a comfortable changing area inside, not really being able to stand up is a negative.
The Recon Camper looks interesting, although I don't see any pricing on their website. The new MB Metris looks promising as a camper base. The additional length and weight capacities would be welcome.
Off to the googles to figure out what the hell a "Metris" is...
Edit: No wonder I didn't know. Its a German bus...
Otherwise known as the Mercedes Vito, or Mercedes V-Class.
That Transit brings up an interesting point: pop top vs high top. The original VW vans went both ways over the years. Since you can get a Transit with a high top, why not go that way?
As a camper, the high top is probably the best option. More room to stand and walk around, although I don't think any of the modern (Sprinter) conversions are using that extra height for a second story bed so you lose out on sleeping area and/or floor area overall.
The pop top usually puts a bed up there. You gain height over part of the interior, in the Westies it's right over the kitchen. The thing I like about them is the stealth aspect. When a pop top is buttoned up, it looks like a very normal van instead of a little RV. Few problems with height in parking garages and a smaller frontal area. It also makes it possible to put things on the roof.
AWD is one of those things that's fun to imagine, but it's an unusual situation where you'd actually need it. With a little bit of ground clearance and a non-idiot driver, you can get a van into some pretty surprising places. I haven't been stopped yet, and my first camping trip in our Westy was Moab.
The main reason I would want all wheel drive is to get a beach permit by my parents house. You have to have 4wd or awd. My brother couldn't get one for his 2wd Ranger but they gave him one for his Santa Fe.
I'm not sure why Evan said "Transit Connect" along with his picture (unless that's an old picture). The Recon Camper pop-top is currently available only on a Nissan NV200 with the Metris planned. No Transit (or Transit Connect) that I see on the website.
Ian F wrote: I'm not sure why Evan said "Transit" along with his picture. The Recon Camper is currently available only on a Nissan NV200 with the Metris planned. No Transit (or Transit Connect) that I see on the website.
Possibly because it's Transit Connect in the picture?
Keith Tanner wrote: Possibly because it's Transit Connect in the picture?
Looking at the picture address, it's out of date. Recon Camper only does the NV200 right now.
(Edit: for whatever reason, the Recon Camper website is blocked at work and linked pictures as well, so I had to go look at the picture on my phone - I see it's a Ford now)
one of my thoughts is to build an expedition trailer. I keep thinking of either modifying a scamp with a heavy duty frame and suspension or modifying a square enclosed "work" trailer. Either way, I want to put a Westy style top on it for either extra bunks (in the scamp) or for actual sleeping area on the work trailer
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