Vanagon Test Drive

This is a pretty impressive video of a Vanagon test drive!

7 Reasons to Buy A Pop Top Camper

A typical pop up camper might not offer all the perks of a five-star hotel, but the benefits of these for camping enthusiasts, families and hunters can be incredible. There are a number of reasons why people choose these camping accommodations over other options out there.
When it's a toss up between one of these portable homes away from home and something else, a pop up camper will often win out for these reasons:

* Affordability. These campers are generally much more affordable than other recreational vehicles out there. They are considered a major step up from tent camping and a minor step down from other types of recreational vehicles, making them a solid choice for many people. Providing most of the comforts of home, these campers deliver a lot with reasonable price tags, too. Even higher end, higher priced models tend to be within reach of many families.

* Sleeping accommodations. These campers can generally sleep a minimum of four people easily. Larger pop up campers can handle more people over night and they might even be designed to offer a little privacy for those camping in.

* Outdoorsy feel. A pop up camper is not a tent and it isn't a fully enclosed recreational vehicle either. Often relying on heavy duty screen and framing to provide a portion of their walls, these rolling sun porches make sure the great outdoors isn't lost on a trip. The sense while inside one of these is still along the lines of true camping, but without the discomfort of sleeping on the ground in a tent.

* Options. The options on these campers can be amazing. From full, but quite compact kitchens to dining areas and even tons of storage, these campers help ensure people enjoy some of the creature comforts from home without having to give up the outdoorsy feel.

* Portability. A standard one of these campers is very easy to maneuver. They are typically very easy for small trucks and even larger cars to tow. This means expensive extra purchases, such as a large haul truck, are not necessary to enjoy the full benefits of this type of camping.

* Ease of use. Unlike a tent with all its rods and stakes, these campers are very easy to put into working order. Generally nothing more than a crank or switch needs to be tripped to put them in their fully usable form. A few extra steps might be need to complete the finished look, but all in all, they are easy enough to use anyone can assemble them.

* Storage. Since pop ups go back into a fairly flat formation after use, they are much easier to store in yards and garages. In neighborhoods where campers aren't allowed on a full-time basis, they can be easily stowed behind fencing for year-round storage.

Pop up campers might not be for everyone, but they offer a very solid choice for those just getting into the camping craze. Their affordability, options and ease for use and storage makes them a favorite for many.

Why Buy a VW Pop Top Camper

If you are thinking about buying a camper, it is a good idea to check out all of your options before making a purchase. You many not be set on a Volkswagen camper yet, so here are some reasons to buy a VW pop top camper.

One of the major advantages to the Volkswagen camper models such as the Eurovan, Vanagon, and Westfalia is their slender size and usability. Being compact with a low roof option they are also great for daily use and weekend trips, as well as being excellent general multi-purpose vehicles for surfing, bike riding and exploring the entire United States. There are not too many other campers out there you could be comfortable driving around town in besides the VW camper models.

Another advantage to the VW pop top camper is the amount of money you put in the gas tank. Volkswagen campers are known for their great gas milage. Even when they are full of camping equipment you can expect to get 15-17 MPG but when empty, you can expect to drive in the mid 20's for each gallon of gas. The other campers out there are gas hogs and again, most of them that are relatively the same size as pop top campers need to be pulled by some kind of vehicle, which really decreases the gas mileage.

The last thing I want to bring up is price. If you want to be able to take your family on a camping trip in an RV you are going to be paying at least $30,000+ for a used vehicle. You can spend that kind of money and buy a brand new top of the line VW pop top camper for that. Most used Volkswagen pop top campers in good condition are in the $15,000 - $22,000 and the older models you can find under $12,000. These vehicles will last forever and are at half the cost of other camper models out there.

If you are looking to save money on a camper that gets good gas mileage you are going to want to look at VW pop top campers. We carry Eurovan, Vanagon, and Westfalia models that you can use for everyday life, not just the weekends.

Vanagon Features

Information taken from Wikepedia

With the engine and transaxle mounted very low in the back, the Vanagon had much larger disc brakes in the front, and drums in the rear. Axle weight is very nearly equal upon both the front and back ends of the vehicle. Unlike the Microbus before it, the Vanagon was available with amenities such as power steering, air conditioning, power door locks, electrically controlled and heated mirrors, lighted vanity mirrors, and a light above the glove box (most of which were essentially standard equipment in later models).

The Vanagon did have A/C althought the air conditioning was, rather un-conventionally, of the "hanging" type. That is, all components of the air conditioning system on the Vanagon camper were internal to the vehicle hang from the ceiling. The air conditioning housings are infamous for cracking and falling down after the vehicle has gotten older, and there were even recalls issued to address the problem.

Starting with the 1986 model year, there was available a greatly improved air conditioning system that not only does not suffer as badly from the cracking housings, but also does a better job of cooling the interior of the van on hot summer days. This later system features an "airliner" style plastic duct that runs the length of the Vanagon in the center with adjustable outlets at set intervals, rather than cooling the entire rear section via a single bank of outlets facing aft above and behind the front seats.

The controls of the Vanagon camper are above the sun visors in the front of the vehicle for both systems until the 1988 model year when they were moved to the dash. The air conditioning ductwork for the 1988 and later years was, arguably, a much more attractive color, being grey instead of beige. The grey color housings hold their color better than the beige, which tends to yellow considerably over a several year period.

This was one of the few campers that ever in which the automatic transmission was tougher than the manual transmission, which was caused by the fact that, up until the 1990 model year, the 3-4 Gear Synchro Slider Hub was of a flawed design. This could result in cracking, or even breakage, causing the transmission to get stuck in 3rd or 4th gear. A new 3-4 hub design less susceptible to stress fractures was implemented sometime in late 1989, first showing up in early 1990 model year vehicles.

The automatic was a standard hydraulic 3-speed unit, the same 090/010 unit as used in Audis of the era. These featured an aluminum case for the transmission section, and a cast iron case for the final drive section.

The 091 manual transmission was a 4 speed unit, featuring a lightweight aluminum case.
The automatic features a 1.0 ratio top gear, while the manual features a 0.85 top gear.

The Vanagon ford have some unusual features, such as the fact that the brake master cylinder is inside the dashboard. The battery in gasoline-powered models is located under the passenger side front seat, to protect it from the elements. There is a compartment of slightly smaller size under the driver's side seat, for a second battery, which wasn't present except in the case of certain "Weekender" camper models.

The oil filler tube for the engine is located behind the flip-down license plate door, and this requires extra care when pulling into a full-service gas station, as the gas station attendant will most likely try to put gasoline into the oil unless instructed otherwise, as the caps are not clearly marked. Most early vans had a twist-on/off gas cap right on the outside just under and behind the passenger side door. A locking cap was optional for the Vanagon, but like other amenities, became very common on later models.

The spare tire lies in a tray under the very front of the van (as the engine is in the back), just below the radiator. To get the spare out, one must undo a 19 mm bolt in the bottom of the front bumper, pull a small latch back, and swing the tray down.

Overall, these vw campers have exceptionally well-built and strong chassis (frames) that are often found to be as good as new underneath, thus creating a platform with good scope for very long life if given even the minimum attention annually.

VW Camper Future

If you are curious about the vw camper future, Volkswagen is looking to make some huge innovative improvements to their westfalia campers. In 2007, Volkswagen had a design contest for the future vw camper and they received thousands of amazing designs.

Here are some videos of what the future of the vw camper may bring:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJXTBZLRfR4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18JszKBSSJI&feature=related

As you can see many new additions would be brought to the vw campers. Special aunnings that include a screened in area, solar features, a grill that can be transported outside, many new storage compartments, and so much more. This is exciting to all those who are looking for a new camper, or loved the old vanagon campers and westfalia campers from volkswagen's past.

For more information on volkswagen campers and their future visit www.verdier.ca

Colorado VW Campers

If you are looking to buy a vw camper in the Denver area, there really is only one place to find the best volkswagen campers in the state of Colorado. JDB Imports has the cleanest vw camper inventory in the country and specialize in vanagon, eurovan, and westfalia campers.

JDB Imports is located in Northeast Denver and has three warehouses full of vw campers for sale. They have been selling volkswagen campers for over 20 years and are truely the countries best vw camper dealer. They only work on vw campers and specialize in restoring old models into beautiful campers.

If you are looking at purchasing a motorhome or camper soon, you need to look into the inventory that JDB has. VW campers are the most fuel efficient, user friendly camper on the road today. Most models at JDB Imports range in year from 87-04' but all have brand new interiors. All of the campers at JDB Imports go through a 100 point inspection before becoming part of their inventory. The mechanics at JDB Imports specialize in vw campers and are the best in the country. There is not another vw camper dealer out there that has the experience or expertise of westfalia or vanagon campers which sets JDB Imports at the top of the list.

If you know you want to purchase a Vanagon, Eurovan, or a Westfalia camper you should test drive one from JDB Imports in Denver, Colorado. Call them today (303) 287-9797

History the of VW Camper

Article taken from Volk West

The history of the Camper van really goes back to the end of the 2nd world war, and the British found themselves (right) running the VW factory in Wolfsberg in Germany. To ferry parts across the massive factory stripped down VW Beetles were turned into little transporters, (below) a good idea thought Ben Pon a Dutch VW importer who in 1947 sketched his idea of a Beetle based van. (below left) Two short years later it was launched at the Geneva Motor Show as the modern equivalent to the ox and cart.

They say most ideas are simple ones, the one behind the VW bus is as pure and simple as they come. It started life off as a box on wheels and what a big box, 170 cubic feet and enough room to hold a 15 hand horse. It was meanly simple and in the next 5 years VW would turn out 90 different body combinations from, refrigerated ice-cream vans, half a hundred delivery vans from mobile milking machines to bakers bread vans, scores of milk floats, florists, vetenary surgeons , beer wagons, butchers shops, mobile grocers. Then there were the police wagons, fire engines, ambulances, the pick ups and last was the vw camper van. The first big sale was in America , in the mid 50s with dinky sinks and cozy cookers it was the home from home. By 1963 America had purchased 150,000 of these vw camper vans. The splitty was replaced in 1967 by the bay window model and what the bay lost in personality it gained in refinements with having windup windows and a top speed of 80mph. The bay window made the VW a success and by 1975 the Hanover factory had turned out 4 Million of these vehicles. Not bad for a van that started life as a box on wheels.

A different choice of engine sizes were available from the 1600cc, 1700cc, 1800cc and 2000cc. VW had been giving away gold watches to anybody who got past the 100,000 mile mark, but had to stop when the bay window model arrived after giving away 160,000 watches, because it became more reliable. But in 1979 all that personality stopped be replaced by the wedge, the comfy camper became a bungalow on wheels (hope this does not offend any T25 owners). There are 5 Million of these vehicles made by VW so they must have done something right when they made the Camper Van.

About JDB Imports

It's really simple! We do only 2 things at JDB Imports:

We purchase and recondition VW Eurovan, Vanagon Full Campers, and Weekenders and then after thoroughly pouring through the vehicle, we offer them for sale to enthusiasts looking for the finest campers in the market.

We offer service and support to our clients for their VW Eurovan, Vanagon Campers and Weekenders. At JDB Imports we know that families are buying our revreational vehicles so that they can have the "perfect family vacation" and so it is critical that we are there for them.
If you are new to VW Campers and are just beginning to research this rare vehicle, than you will learn that these are a limited vehicle. JDB Imports does not sell new VW Eurovans because they are no longer made by Volkswagen. The vans sold by JDB Imports are in excellent used condidtion and nothing less than the best Vanagons and Wurovans available in the United States.

Our technicians thoroughly check and review each new van that we purchase at JDB Imports so that we can be assured that the vehicle we are selling has been thoroughly cleaned and all camping equipment has been inspected and repaired if needed. Our technicians inspect the wheels, cooling system, compression, undercarrirage, brakes, interior, body damage and mechanical aspects of the vehicles that we purchase.

JDB Imports completes an entire review of each and every vehicle so they will be able to detect and repair any mechanical problems before selling the vehicle to it's new owner. JDB Imports does not deal with frame damaged, storm damaged or salvage title vans with significant body damage. We never risk our reputation by allowing the wrong vehicle to be sold to one of our customers. All of our vehicles are 100% road ready and ready to go camping!