I've been camping around California the last week.  Before I left I
installed a (refurbished) Xantrex Pro  XM 1000 inverter I got off of
Ebay for around $135.

This is a really nice inverter.  It outputs 1000 Watts continuously,
and up to 2000W for short periods of time.

The inverter has an automatic transfer switch.  The 110VAC side can
also be hardwired to your shore power inlet.   Then connect your
inside 110VAC receptacles downstream from the inverter.  This means
when you have shore power connected all internal outlets get power
from the shore connection and inverter simply passes through.

If you lose shore power, you just turn on the inverter and now all
your inside 110V outlets are powered via the inverter.   Simple and
easy.

The status panel/on off switch for the inverter can be remotely
mounted anywhere you like using a regular RJ11 four wire telephone
extension cord, so you could hide the inverter in a cabinet etc and
have the switch panel in a more convenient location.  The panel has a
digital display that can show input voltage, input currant, and
output power.

The inverter is silent until you put a big load on it, then the
cooling fan kicks in, but only as long as needed.  For small devices,
the fan never runs.

The best thing about this inverter?  It powers my 110V drip coffee
maker with ease.  I can have a whole pot of brewed coffee without the
hassle of the propane stove and Melita.  I have also used the
inverter for regular things like laptops, cell chargers, shaver, etc.

I installed it close to my camping battery and connected it with
heavy gauge wire.  For now it's behind the drivers seat battery, I
have to figure out the best place to permanently mount it.  In a
Westy it may fit in the "secret compartment" between the water tank
the AC receptacle.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj285/baboonia/vanagon/IMG_6836.jpg