I built a cabinet that fits behind the passenger's seat, bolted to the
battery compartment with wing nuts so it can be removed.  A 12VDC cooler
sits in the bottom and I have a small "Wash 'n' Go" sink in the top with a
folding lid that covers it and serves for counter space.  On the outboard
side is a folding shelf which can be lifted into place when the sliding door
is open.  I do my cooking here with a single burner propane stove, or, if
the weather does not allow it, I can set up the stove on top of the cabinet
when the top is raised.  (Be sure to crack some windows if you try this at
home!)

I also installed a 50 watt solar panel to charge the aux battery.  The
charger control panel is mounted on the inboard side of the cabinet.  If I
plan on doing extended dry camping, I can also mount a 400 watt wind
turbine, but this is overkill!

All this plus a ham radio, a telescope, and a porta-potty, and what more
does one need?  :)

Dave in KC
85 Westy Multivan

photos at:

http://members.fortunecity.com/davebaker1/westy/id20.htm

and

http://members.fortunecity.com/davebaker1/westy/id21.htm   (scroll halfway
down the page)

Film at 11.

----- Original Message -----
From: Debra Clark <clark10006@COX.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2002 12:16 PM
Subject: Weekender cooking

We bought a 90 Multivan in January and my family and I are just getting to
know it well.  But already there have been times I've longed for a Westy
stove.  On chilly mornings, in need of coffee.  I ordered a 12V coffee maker
from A.J. Prindle.  It was a new model in their catalog and took forever
(much longer than the 20-40 minutes that it mentioned in the manual and only
then with a lot of jiggling to get it to drip.) and I could have set up the
camp stove and percolated a pot in 1/4 of the time.  However, I'd still like
to start a cup while in the Van.  Anyone have the Koolatron model?  Is it
more reliable?

Don't misunderstand me.  I love the Multivan package 99% of the time but it
is a trade-off when camping.  How about electricity?  I've just looped an
extention cord out the window when we've had access to it.  How do all you
'weekenders' have a more Westy experience?

Debra Clark
Santee, California
clark10006@cox.net