The Vanagon Dictionary

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 · machine-assisted draft

A non-pop top Westfalia Camper

• westfalia
• camper

English · machine-assisted draft

Maker of stoves found in early Westfalia campers

• stove
• westfalia

English · machine-assisted draft

Louvered windows found on Westfalias or other VW campers

• windows
• louvered
• westfalia

English · machine-assisted draft

Sloped roof rack version used on pre-1961 Westfalia models

• westfalia
• vw

English · machine-assisted draft

A seal for the luggage box on a Westfalia bus

• seal
• luggage
• westfalia

English · source definition

One of many camper versions made from a basic VW Transporter usually the only camper version imported into the U.S. by VW and sold at their dealers. Westfalia also converts EuroVans into full camper units for sale in Canada and Europe.

English · machine-assisted draft

A nickname for the Volkswagen Westfalia camper van

• vw
• vanagon

English · machine-assisted draft

A fabric cover for the roof of a camper van

• canvas
• roof
• westfalia

English · machine-assisted draft

A liftable roof that provides additional sleeping space, often found in Westfalia campers

• vw
• camper
• poptop

English · machine-assisted draft

A strap for finishing the roof of a Westfalia camper van

• strap
• roof
• finishing

English · source definition

The camper interior cabinet assembly built around the sink and its water fittings. In some Vanagon Westfalia layouts it also contains or adjoins the refrigerator, storage, and electrical controls.

• camper
• interior
• kitchen

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

A hinged roof section that raises above a camper van to create extra headroom and, when equipped, access to an upper sleeping area. Roof construction, latches, and bed equipment vary among VW Bus and camper conversions.

• camper
• roof
• westfalia

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 · source definition

An accessory package originally available on the Vanagon that bridged the gap between the passenger van and the camping-oriented Westfalia model. With the included rear bench that folded into a double-bed, fold-out table, and privacy curtains, an owner could easily move seven people during the week and provide sleeping space for two on the weekends. This idea and name have just been reintroduced as a model of the revamped Eurovan called the MV Weekender .

English · machine-assisted draft

An engine that rejects heat directly to moving air rather than circulating liquid coolant. Gerry’s spark-plug reference separates bus applications by engine code and period: ED/GD/GE for 1975–1979 and CV for 1980–1983, including California models. A May 2002 Gerry discussion titled “83 Air Cooled - Production dates” concerns an owner’s September 1983 Westfalia and the difficulty of finding comparable 1983 examples; it is a period-specific production question, not a universal fitment chart.

• engine
• air-cooled

English · machine-assisted draft

The electronic control unit (ECU) is part of Volkswagen’s Digifant fuel-injection and engine-management system. Gerry’s 1986–1991 technical bulletin index distinguishes these applications from the earlier Digijet years. In a January 1999 list thread, an owner of a 1986 Westfalia reported that the engine quit after cooling-system bleeding and asked whether fuel starvation or a failed Digifant component was involved; the thread records a troubleshooting question, not a confirmed diagnosis. Check engine code and market before identifying an ECU.

• vanagon
• ecu