The Volkswagen EuroVan Is the Ultimate Quirky Camper Van
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Date: 2022-01-07
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Comments and reviews: 9
Luscious3174
You can tell the Germans didn't have a clue how to do a camper van properly. Just look at a Chevy based Roadtrek 170 from it's last model year or even a GMC Explorer conversion van with the Quigly 4x4 upgrade similar to the one Hoovies showed off. Far more practical, sensible, roomier, more luxurious and a proper V8 up front that could also tow 7-10K lbs. Heck, some even had superchargers fitted for over 500HP and a 32 inch 4K smart TV to keep those in the back entertained. And it's easy to remove the seats if you want more practicality for carrying stuff or fit a 12V fridge/freezer.
I do agree the crash test results for these weren't exactly great. Even the GMC models being produced today have bad survivability odds for the driver/passenger in the event of a head-on collision. Fortunately on the lifted 4x4 models you can go with an off-road steel bumper install and get it frame mounted for some extra protection.
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You can tell the Germans didn't have a clue how to do a camper van properly. Just look at a Chevy based Roadtrek 170 from it's last model year or even a GMC Explorer conversion van with the Quigly 4x4 upgrade similar to the one Hoovies showed off. Far more practical, sensible, roomier, more luxurious and a proper V8 up front that could also tow 7-10K lbs. Heck, some even had superchargers fitted for over 500HP and a 32 inch 4K smart TV to keep those in the back entertained. And it's easy to remove the seats if you want more practicality for carrying stuff or fit a 12V fridge/freezer.
I do agree the crash test results for these weren't exactly great. Even the GMC models being produced today have bad survivability odds for the driver/passenger in the event of a head-on collision. Fortunately on the lifted 4x4 models you can go with an off-road steel bumper install and get it frame mounted for some extra protection.
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gary
My Dad had a Chevy Explorer (it was a huge conversion van. It was nice and had all the bells and whistles. I think it was a '00. Dang thing had 2 TVs, Super Nintendo, 2 different radios, leather everything, and this list goes on and on. Oh, I forgot the couch in back would fold down with a push of a button up front by one of the radios. I was in my early twenties and I used it from time to time. I told my friends it was call the Shaggin' Wagon, eventhough there was no shaggin going to happen. ever. My dad had it only for a couple of years, because something was always breaking. The day he decided to sell it, we were coming down a mountain in Colorado and the brake overheated and we had a very scary ride down it. It was the coolest thing ever, to me anyways.
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My Dad had a Chevy Explorer (it was a huge conversion van. It was nice and had all the bells and whistles. I think it was a '00. Dang thing had 2 TVs, Super Nintendo, 2 different radios, leather everything, and this list goes on and on. Oh, I forgot the couch in back would fold down with a push of a button up front by one of the radios. I was in my early twenties and I used it from time to time. I told my friends it was call the Shaggin' Wagon, eventhough there was no shaggin going to happen. ever. My dad had it only for a couple of years, because something was always breaking. The day he decided to sell it, we were coming down a mountain in Colorado and the brake overheated and we had a very scary ride down it. It was the coolest thing ever, to me anyways.
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Ian
I enjoyed driving a T2 (old) transporter because of the visibility. Nothing beat being so close to the front of the car. Being at a stop sign that usually had no visibility in a normal car was no problem in the transporter. It was nice when parking since you could see the front of the car very easily without being spatially gifted. The rear engine was also beneficial to the design. You lost some cargo space in the back but the length that the engine and hood would have used it now given to the passengers. The aerodynamics weren't even hit that bad because of the simple body design. If crash statistics weren't such a big deal I would love to have more T2s.
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I enjoyed driving a T2 (old) transporter because of the visibility. Nothing beat being so close to the front of the car. Being at a stop sign that usually had no visibility in a normal car was no problem in the transporter. It was nice when parking since you could see the front of the car very easily without being spatially gifted. The rear engine was also beneficial to the design. You lost some cargo space in the back but the length that the engine and hood would have used it now given to the passengers. The aerodynamics weren't even hit that bad because of the simple body design. If crash statistics weren't such a big deal I would love to have more T2s.
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AudiophileTubes
I think this EuroVan had the superior 2nd gen 24v VR6 with 201hp. The first gen 12v VR6 motors (174hp) were nice, but prone to timing chain failure much sooner (around 100K) than the improved 2nd gen 24v VR6, that had far superior chain guides. This would often double the life of the engine (vis a vis timing chain issues) compared to the first gen VR6. I actually have this 24v VR6 motor in my '03 GTI VR6, and I can hit 60mph in 6. 5 seconds with the 6 speed manual. It feels fairly quick and torquey, and still has the original timing chain after 19 years.
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I think this EuroVan had the superior 2nd gen 24v VR6 with 201hp. The first gen 12v VR6 motors (174hp) were nice, but prone to timing chain failure much sooner (around 100K) than the improved 2nd gen 24v VR6, that had far superior chain guides. This would often double the life of the engine (vis a vis timing chain issues) compared to the first gen VR6. I actually have this 24v VR6 motor in my '03 GTI VR6, and I can hit 60mph in 6. 5 seconds with the 6 speed manual. It feels fairly quick and torquey, and still has the original timing chain after 19 years.
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rooster
Here in the uk and Europe we have the full camper van which is called the California. pop top. rock and roll bed fridge etc etc
Ocean same as your video, same spec as van in your video
Then below that we have the caravelle (multivan in Europe) same as video but without pop top
Then shuttle same spec but without pop top and has front facing seats
Then Kombi, van with seats and 2 side winds
Then panel van empty in the back
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Here in the uk and Europe we have the full camper van which is called the California. pop top. rock and roll bed fridge etc etc
Ocean same as your video, same spec as van in your video
Then below that we have the caravelle (multivan in Europe) same as video but without pop top
Then shuttle same spec but without pop top and has front facing seats
Then Kombi, van with seats and 2 side winds
Then panel van empty in the back
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Tobi
We had this Van when i was young, just in a 6 seat configuration. It had a fridge and my dad built a custom gas kitchen that fit behind the co-driver seat. We also once had to sleep in it with 6 people. On very long drives, we also made a bed in foot room under the table. They can also do around 200kmh / 120mph
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We had this Van when i was young, just in a 6 seat configuration. It had a fridge and my dad built a custom gas kitchen that fit behind the co-driver seat. We also once had to sleep in it with 6 people. On very long drives, we also made a bed in foot room under the table. They can also do around 200kmh / 120mph
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Brian
15: 01. only the US versions didn't have a glovebox. there's nothing behind there but open space. it's just a padded knee bolster in NA. I actually pilfered the open-front cubby panel from an EU market T4 and put it in our US market 2002 Winnebago Vista, which were built on T4 cut-away cabs.
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15: 01. only the US versions didn't have a glovebox. there's nothing behind there but open space. it's just a padded knee bolster in NA. I actually pilfered the open-front cubby panel from an EU market T4 and put it in our US market 2002 Winnebago Vista, which were built on T4 cut-away cabs.
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craby
lol its so weird seeing Americans getting exited about VW transporter. its literally ''the van'' in Europe, most popular and most common you will find on the roads, they made millions of these things I think. Although this one is weird looking with its ''Americanized'' bumpers and what not.
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lol its so weird seeing Americans getting exited about VW transporter. its literally ''the van'' in Europe, most popular and most common you will find on the roads, they made millions of these things I think. Although this one is weird looking with its ''Americanized'' bumpers and what not.
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Fabian
There is no glove box in the US only due to federal crash laws. In the US, cars must pass a crash with an unbelted passenger and hence, the knees will do the job = extra padding needed. In Europe / Rest of the world you just either buckle up or die like a real champ.
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There is no glove box in the US only due to federal crash laws. In the US, cars must pass a crash with an unbelted passenger and hence, the knees will do the job = extra padding needed. In Europe / Rest of the world you just either buckle up or die like a real champ.
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