NW US  Winter weather is why these Vanagons have motors....

  While I do enjoy camping with my Vanagon, I get a bit sick of sitting
inside it in the rain or trying to dry my raingear inside after I have been
outside.  When the humidity is 110% and the temp is 38f....I use my
ignition key and go somewhere warmer and drier....whenever possible.   And
it is almost always possible....it becomes more possible as the winter
progresses....after a month or two of NW winter....I can find any number of
reasons to go to Arizona, California, Baja, Mx. or even Idaho....somewhere
where the sun shines at least once a week anyhow.
   I can be in Palm Springs in under two days....Much nicer winter camping
in your vanagon in that climate....

   Don Hanson