well said Dude !
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rodgers" <inua@CHARTER.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2011 8:12 PM
Subject: Re: Convert '85 Westy to trailer?

>I find that a pretty disturbing concept - hacking up  a good and
> precious vehicle -one that is very much sought after. These are precious
> machines and are gradually disappearing. There will never be any other
> quite like them, especially at the price. From a practical standpoint,
> you would be ahead of the game to sell it, and buy yourself a trailer
> designed for the travel. Let  someone else have the Westy to enjoy, and
> rain TLC on. They will thank you for it - and the rest of Vanagon
> society will bless you for it as well.
>
> John
>
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>
>
> On 9/8/2011 1:35 PM, Graham Janson wrote:
>> Hi folks
>>
>> I've been mulling this idea over for a few weeks now, and wanted to throw
>> it
>> out for opinions. The motivation for the question is that my new job will
>> see me out of the country for periods of six weeks to six months at a
>> time
>> (generally closer to the latter).
>>
>> I love my 1985 camper but leaving it sitting for months at a time doesn't
>> seem practical. Has anyone ever converted a Vanagon camper into a
>> trailer?
>> Losing the self-propelled aspect would be a bummer, but I could still
>> keep
>> my van and tow it behind my truck as a camping trailer.
>>
>> Details-wise: I envisage removing engine, transmission, wheels,
>> suspension,
>> steering etc., and welding on (or bolting on?) a trailer axle (or two?)
>> in
>> the middle-ish. Using a long axle (i.e. with wheels outside the body
>> rather
>> than recessed in wheel wells) would provide additional lateral stability
>> and
>> allow the sliding door to open. Finally a tongue would be welded on.
>>
>> Or should I just let it go?
>>
>> Graham
>>
>>