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.

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