The Vanagon Dictionary

English · machine-assisted draft

Seal for the movable vent window in the cabin door

• vanagon
• t25
• vent

English · machine-assisted draft

Rust that occurs in the seams of a vehicle's body, often due to moisture entering from the inside.

• rust
• vanagon

English · machine-assisted draft

A kit for the cabin door handle, including a black handle and a key

• door
• handle
• vanagon

English · machine-assisted draft

The area where a seat belt is attached in a vehicle's cabin

• vanagon
• t25
• seatbelt

English · machine-assisted draft

Practice of lowering the roof on the body of the vehicle by cutting portions of the frame and door frames

• chop-top
• custom

English · machine-assisted draft

A type of seat belt that provides three points of contact with the body

• seat
• belt
• safety

English · machine-assisted draft

A type of sealant used to fill gaps between the rubber gasket and the body

• sealant
• adhesive

English · machine-assisted draft

System designed to reduce the risk of injury in rear-end collisions by coordinating deceleration of the torso and head.

• safety
• comfort

English · source definition

Upper mid-range model of the bus with nicer interior components than the Kombi , but without the extra trappings of the Deluxe model. Standards have headliners, while Kombis and Panels did not.

English · source definition

A removable or swiveling table fitted to a camper dining area. The 1983 Vanagon Westfalia manual describes separate passenger-compartment and cab tables; mountings and storage differ across camper layouts.

• camper
• interior
• furniture

English · source definition

A refrigerator installed as part of a camper interior. The documented Vanagon Westfalia appliance supports gas and electric operation; exact power sources and operating requirements depend on the refrigerator model and its manual.

• camper
• appliance
• electrical

English · source definition

The folding or sliding sleeping platform fitted beneath a camper pop-up roof on equipped models. It is stowed when the roof is lowered and is distinct from the lower rear bench bed.

• camper
• bed
• interior

English · source definition

A model of early buses that had the highest level of interior features and trim levels. Usually with the small sight-seeing windows in the roof and either 21 or 23 side windows. Also a HUGE fabric sunroof was available as an option.

English · source definition

An onboard tank that stores water for a camper's sink supply. Capacity, location, filler, vent, and drain differ by conversion; it is not necessarily a potable-water-rated tank unless the specific installation is documented as such.

• camper
• water-system
• interior

English · source definition

A model of bus that contained interior features such as a bed, stove, cabinets, and in some versions, a refrigerator. some versions had a pop-up roof to allow extra room, ventilation, and sleeping room 'upstairs'. Some of the many companies making campers are Westfalia , Winnebago , Devon , Country Homes, Dormobile , and TRAKKA .

English · source definition

The 12-volt battery supply used for camper electrical loads such as interior lighting, the water pump, and controls on the documented Vanagon Westfalia. Whether a particular vehicle has a separate auxiliary battery depends on its model and later modifications.

• camper
• electrical
• battery

English · machine-assisted draft

Westfalia is a camper-conversion brand, not a Transporter generation. Gerry’s preserved FAQ describes Westfalia as one of several companies that converted VW Transporters and says it was generally the camper version imported and sold through Volkswagen dealers in the United States at that time. Roof, interior, and equipment depend on the specific vehicle and year.

• westfalia
• camper

English · source definition

Special model of the bus , based on the Standard bus , first available in 1951. The most notable feature was the smaller engine lid than the previous Barndoors , and a rear hatch hinged at the bottom, which allowed stretchers to be loaded into the interior of the bus . The gas tank and spare tire were moved in order to accomodate the rear hatch.

English · machine-assisted draft

A camper roof section that lifts above the body, usually with a flexible fabric enclosure when raised, adding standing room while keeping a lower profile when closed. Gerry’s 1998 camper-conversion discussion contrasts pop-top layouts with the fixed high-roof Adventurewagen conversion; they are different body configurations, not interchangeable names. Roof design and interior details vary by builder and model year.

• pop-top
• canvas

English · machine-assisted draft

Adventurewagen was a Fort Bragg, California conversion builder, not a Volkswagen model or Transporter generation. In a December 1998 Gerry thread about camper conversions, a contributor describes its high-roof conversion as common on the U.S. West Coast and distinguishes that fixed high roof from pop-top layouts. A 2001 thread also identifies Adventurewagen as a maker of Vanagon high-top conversions. Roof, interior, and equipment vary by build and vehicle year.

• camper
• conversion