"Will the Vitrifrigo start getting cold right away on 12
v?  And how long will it run from the aux battery if the van is parked?

Another thing I noticed - with the poptop up, right above the rear door,
after the upper bed is folded down, there is a fairly large rectangular
pocket of space available for storing soft goods."

How long your Vitrifrigo stays running depends on too many factors to predetermine running time.
It's very effiecient at cooling and energy consumption. I freeze 3 ice trays while it is completely full,
stocked with everything I used to put into an ice chest. It will turn on and off as it maintains whatever
level you have the black dial set on. I have stayed camped for 3 days with the fridge on and once I
started the engine the battery panel light turned green immediately. It flickers between green and
amber shile parked and the fridge running.

I've used that small space in the upper bunk for blankets and now that I have the Go Westy upper mattress
topper, that's what I stow up there. Fits perfectly and really makes the upper bunk more comfortable.

Nice to hear your excitement and enthusiasm as you get to know your "new" camper.

Happy camping Patti.

bob
'87 Syncro Westy