Good Evening Folks (W PA)

My incredibly talented husband had succeeded in transplanting the entire
roof, westy top and canvas from a donor 1982 Westy onto our 1987 Syncro (he
did quite a lovely job).  But now we need some insight from the list.  The
interior of the van is completely stripped and ready to outfit with the
original Westy interior from the donor.  We have never owned or even
operated a Westy (the closest we have come is having Maggie's "Anne Bonnie"
in our garage a few days), nor have we camped in 14 years.  Our only
experience is with our 1971 or 72 Kombi (non-poptop) that we used to take to
the forest back when we were young and child free.  (loved that poor, rusty
old van, many good memories)

Here's our situation.  We have a 17 yr old son (high school senior who is
the primary driver of the vehicle), and a 6 (7 in August) daughter.  Our
thoughts (rationalization) for creating the Westy were that it would allow
us to take short trips around the eastern half of the country (relatives in
Chicago, maybe see Maine, and camp in the Allegheny National Forest here in
Pennsylvania on the occasional long weekend). Most of the time, though, it
will be family/marching band transportation.

About the only thing I could come up with for a wish list was an inverter
(?) and a second battery so that we could take along rechargeable
batteries and their charger for the digital camera, and plug in the laptop
so that our daughter could watch DVDs during a long drive, or play on her
Sony PSP One (very old, but hey, it works).  The PSP, however, has a cable
for the "lighter" and will run from the 12V (so where's the best place for
an outlet accessible to the back seat?) and we could get a similar cable for
the laptop instead of running it from 120V.  Is an inverter necessary?  We
have a wireless card for the laptop so we can access the internet wherever
we can find a hotspot (gotta read the list, you know).

We've been looking at photos and websites of Westy owners and I see some
interesting lighting additions.  I don't anticipate needing to read in bed,
but I do want to be able to see into the lockers, etc.  My guess is that the
stove will be used primarily to heat water for coffee in the morning (have a
holder for a filter that sits over the thermos so you use the pour through
method like the old Chemex coffee makers).  Any major cooking will be
outside on the Coleman stove (I don't think want the lingering smell/grease
of bacon in the van).

We purchased a screen tent and anticipate that Dave and I will occupy the
fold out bed, our daughter will be in the upper bunk and our son, outside on
a cot/sleeping bag in the tent.

That's about as far as we have thought things through.  Your experience and
advice is needed!

Thanks!  Sandy Milo

1987 Syncro (now Westy) 2.2 Subaru (Annie)
1991 Carat 2.2 Subaru (Betsy)
1990 Volvo 240 (Krusty Crab)
1967 Sunbeam Alpine (gee, it really doesn't have a name)
1990