Where to find a poptop camper in CA/ Vanlife advice?

[dobryan]

This is an incrdeilble read of how to travel thru the Americas. You be the judge if this is your style. We hope you do much better, but you've got to like the never say die attitude.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=538476&highlight=hasta
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[Dfk88]

[dobryan]

Yeah, it is kind of the how to not have a trouble free trip example.....
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[Love My Westy]

[kaalualu]

What vehicle are driving/working on at the moment?
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'84 Transporter 16" CLK's/LED's/ AT's/Mansi injectors
'86 Wolfey Weekender Westfalia AT's/otherwise stock
Sold-'82 TinTop Diesel

[jimf909]

[Dfk88]

[Tom Powell]

[Abscate]

[Wasted youth]

Generator- Good call on forgetting that. You would do better with auxiliary battery and inverter, tied into your solar panels. Look at the GoWesty website Tech Library, because they have a couple of videos on how to install their products. No sales pitch from me on this... the point is, after seeing their videos, you get the idea on how all that is set up and you can go your own path on product purchase. The Vanagon Westfalia/Weekender body and cabinetry are a great support of this.

Travel light! That little 2.0 power plant will thank you.

CB Radio- No experience here, but you may look into satellite phone:

http://www.inmarsat.com/

Shower: If you have the full Westy set-up (I totally recommend over the Weekender), I have seen where people have plumbed in a flexible shower spray on a hose out of the back of the rear wardrobe cabinet. Open the back hatch, throw up a small vinyl curtain with magnets to the back hatch, and pull out the hose sprayer for a quick shower. Sprayer is plumbed from the water tank off a separate, higher volume pump. Careful! Water supply is limited.

Weekender vs. Westfalia: You can get a Weekender cheaper than a Westfalia, but I really feel the Westy is the way to go. I have made some great trips with my family in our '87, and for living in a van after long days of travel, the ease and convenience of cooking a good, wholelsome and hot meal can't be beat. Getting cold and fresh fruits and drinks out of the fridge and sitting down at a level, clean table on a comfortable seat and enjoying all this looking out at the rain just increases my love for the design. Totally worth the extra expense.

What part of California are you in? I got a bunch of parts from a dude up in Sacramento, and knowing the general location of where you live might help people give you some sources.

[Ahwahnee]

For each demand we can have for these vehicles (beyond the original design) there is usually an alternative:

More engine HP -- learn to enjoy driving slower, seek routes conducive to this

More storage -- take less stuff

More electrical power -- read a book (1 light), drink warm beer (Guinness)

Bigger brakes - back off, plan ahead

Hot shower - put on a fresh shirt and take a hike, in 60 minutes you'll smell the same as if you had showered

Connectivity - take comfort knowing that most of the internet, phone messages, texts & twitters are ignorable and doing so may actually make you feel better

40' Winnebagos are for people who have to take it all with them. My Westy is for leaving stuff behind.

PS - My wife and I lived in the Westy for more than a year and 24,000 miles -- these thoughts are based on what I learned from that experience.

[nemobuscaptain]

[j_dirge]

[Abscate]

A word about the forum.

Disclaimer - its not my Forum, its Everett's so I have no standing on how it is run or its content.

But, think of it like a party full of the most knowledgeable VW people on the planet in a small space, talking it up and having a good time.

If you go off on a trip, and only come in and yell when you need help, eventually, you become that guy no one wants to help.

If you share your first oil change, feeling foolish when people who rebuild transmissions post next to you, that's merely a youthful failing which you grow out of over decades.

Ive met about a dozen here, offered my home and been offered home to about half. None of us choose those at random.

Each new person who comes in, of any age, makes it easier for others to share and keep the passion alive.
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.ssS!

[jimf909]

A reasonable alternative to a full-blown oven is the Outback Oven. I've had mine for over 20 years and still use it to make nachos, cornbread, etc. it works well on the low setting on the Westy stove.

http://www.backpackerspantry.com/products/outback-...iew_tabbed
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- Jim

[Merian]

good idea, and I keep one in one of my vehicles

it brings up another general issue: just scale up a little from backpacking (or canoe or bicycle camping) and you are all set

this will help in another way: a guy right out of high school is likely to have a breakdown (for at least a couple of reasons) and he can then put on his backpack and either hike to a place with cell service....

... of hike away entirely
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[kaalualu]

[Tom Powell]

[Dfk88]

[Dfk88]