An Icon of Freedom: The VW Camper Van

In my search for the ideal vehicle to replace my aging Honda Civic, I've let myself dream.  My practical side will inevitably take over, but hey, the dreams of today could become the reality of tomorrow.

Hasn't everyone who camps wanted, at some time, a VW camper van?  It's the icon of freedom.  A vehicle for every day, but especially for travelling days.  Room for the camping gear AND the kids, a table for playing board games on and yes, eating and drinking.  Little cupboards and a little refridgerator.  Even a little sink!  A camping playhouse!  And still compact enough to use every day!  A car to toss a few kids in and drive to the ice cream parlor, a movie or LEGOLAND.  A camper van in which to toss the tent and sleeping bags for the trip to Yellowstone or Yosemite!

So, in my pursuit of freedom and a new car, I've been talking to a few Long Beach folks who own VW vans of one sort or another.

I got the scoop from a family that owned their VW Eurovan for almost 20 years, having bought it new in the 1990s.  For those of you who have never seen this treasure up close, you may drool away at the photos included in this post!  And I quote:

"Some miscellaneous things we loved about it:

-Heater and thermostat for those chilly nights. (Operated just like the heater in our house, you just set it to the temp. you want and it cycles on and off and keeps you toasty warm). 

-Sprayer on the back of the van (good for spraying off sandy/dirty kids, and boogie boards etc.)

-2 tables and front seats that can reverse to "captain's" chairs while camping. 

-Display to tell you the levels of your water, fuel, and auxiliary battery's charge, at the push of a button. 

-Shoreline capability so you can plug-in at R.V. parks and also AC outlets that can be used. 

-Awning window with screen so you can open it even if it is raining, and another sliding window that has a screen for ventilation without mosquitoes.

-Shades on all side windows, and darkening curtains for the windshield and back window so you don't have to wake up with the chickens.

-Cabinets for storing things etc.

-Oh, and did I mention the faux berber carpet (made out of some kind of plastic/vinyl/linoleum but really realistic-looking)?  You can just wash the van out with water!!!  Absolutely LOVED this! I used to clean it with a Hoover Floormate.

-Of course because we had the camper - it was nice to have the sink, stove, and refrigerator."

There were some quirks that involved the weight of the vehicle, low ground clearance (propane tank), not meant for towing, trouble getting repairs done.

Another family I spoke to had much to say about their share of repairs.

It seems that old camper vans come with old camper van problems -- with trips to the junkyard to find old parts, because they are no longer made. Perhaps it's the ultimate maker who purchases an old camper van so that s/he can fix it up by visiting the junkyard.  Well, I'm a wanna-be maker.  Not there yet.  And yes, there's reality lurking around the corner....

I need to be able to drive it to work most, if not every, day. It needs to be reliable.  All my spare time (and more) is already booked.  If I had a vehicle that needed me to work on it, it would sit in the driveway for months and I would take the bus and train.  I've got a blog to post to, after all!

So... if not an old VW camper van, then what? 

Next up: The Camper Van of Today?  It could be very crafty!