Westfalia campers

[Brandon Libby]

I'll take the James Cook model please.

[mogwildRW1]

Spotted this RHD Toyota minitruck 4wd camper in Edmonton this summer, thought it was cool.

[SWbySWesty]

Ummmmmmmm, Marco Polo? Sexy:

[haven]

"Westfalia base price...about $96,000 USD"

That's in line with the prices charged by North American companies that offer the so-called Class B RVs, based on a Sprinter van conversion.

Examples:

PleasureWay Plateau, $105K base
http://www.pleasureway.com/models_dodge_plateau.php

RoadTrek SS-Agile $105K base
http://www.roadtrek.com/models.aspx?...12&Country=USA

Leisure Travel Free Spirit $105K
http://www.leisurevans.com/freespirit/index.html

Great West Sprinter Legend $115K
http://www.greatwestvans.com/classbr...e/sprinter.php

Airstream Interstate $125K base
http://www.airstream.com/products/20...ate/index.html

Because Sportsmobile sells factory direct without dealer commissions, their prices can be lower, starting around $70,000
http://www.sportsmobile.com/2_sr_cost_examples.html

None of these examples has AWD or 4x4.

[SWbySWesty]

The draw of the Westy, in my humble opinion, is that it looks like a generic van. The pop top adds to the appeal, but being small like a van (able to fit in parking garages) is a strong draw to be able to have it double as a daily driver. A sprinter limits you by height. The ground clearance on the campervan is pretty high...I can't speak for the SPrinter as I do not know, but the campervan was designed to go mildly offroad (non-syncro versions) to get to campgrounds. Does the sprinter have the clearance straight from the factory? Obviously they can be lifted.

[CSG]

If you can live with a Ford platform this is available now. Mine's a 2002 version and it's dang near perfect. It also has an a/c unit and flat plate hot water heater the new ones don't.

They list for under $60k new.

http://www.pleasureway.com/models_ford_traverse.php

And Van City in St. Louis has three 2011's for $55k each:

http://www.vancityrv.com/new_vehicle_inventory.asp

[crkline]

I have a VW Eurovan Camper, and while a little small is good for a couple for up to a week, or if you really are tolerate of one another two weeks.

Downsides:
Smaller than I would like
No shower
No toilet
Old - 1995
Frig sucks

Likes:
Small on the outside - can go anywhere, except for 4x4
Well thought out design
With one or two occupants, the top bunk becomes storage at night
Quite a following - so almost any question can be answered by searching on the web
Many VW and aftermarket parts and solutions

Cliff
The secret to enjoying camping is less talking and more camping

[T.Low]

[QUOTE=slowtwitch;765916]Yeah good stuff. the Sprinter doesn't do it for me.. strictly a road vehicle it seems. If someone would just update the Vanagon Syncro Westy design... give it a better power plant, etc. Come in around $40-50k instead of the silly 100k mark... folks would eat it up. The Vanagons are the best laid out rv imo...I'm beating a dead horse here.

st[/QUOTE

I've always said that it's too bad Toyota doesn't make a Vanagon Westy on a Tacoma chasis.

But with all due respect, my buddy just bought a Subaru Outback that stickerred for $36k; you really think they can sell a camper for $40k?

[Yurtle]

3645865496_97b268324f_z.jpg

I have less than $5000.00 in the 1976 Westy and I've run her for 10 years with very few issues. Get an old one and fix it up they are a blast. Go to www.thesamba.com and check out the classifieds.

Yurtle