Thanks Stuart, Yes, what you said makes sense.  My wife and I always sleep
head to the rear, just seemed automatically the thing to to -- and no
having to flip to get out of be, just scoot to the foot of the bed.  At 76
yo, I certainly understand about loss of flexibility!  I have also thought
about switching to home type bedding from the sleeping bag for the
flexibility reasons.

Thanks again, mcneely

On Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 10:46 PM <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:

> In my '68 Westy I removed the spare tire from the same spot the Vanagon
> closet is in and cut a piece of foam to fill in the cushion. You can do the
> same in the Vanagon if you remove the rear closet, but only your legs will
> get more room.  Your shoulders will still be confined by the other
> cabinets. Or the converse is true if you sleep with your head to the rear.
> I've found sleeping head to the rear requires more flexibility than I now
> have to get out of the bed and can't be done without disturbing my wife.
> Also, keep in mind that removing the rear closet is more complicated if you
> have AC.
>
> Stuart
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of David
> McNeely
> Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2021 7:20 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Rear closet permanent removal Was: Rear closet temporary
> removal
>
> Ah, Richard, I misunderstood your original comments.  I thought you said
> you had removed the closet, and had a regular, narrow bed with a space
> where the closet would be.  SOMEONE did say that, but I can't find the
> original post.  So, whoever said that, or anyone else with knowledge of
> that setup, please comment in response to my above question if you can.
>
> mcneely
>
> On Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 3:25 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
> wrote:
>
> > Dave, I'm not exactly sure how to answer.  Since my first tintop in
> > 1974 and now on my Vanagon, I have always had a full width bed.  It of
> > course is about the same size as a Queen, but effectively even bigger
> > since you can't roll off the edge of the bed!  On hot nights, no
> crowding each other.
> > Anyway, I wouldn't have it any other way.  Duffle bags in the daytime
> > go to the front seats at night; simple as that.  Fun fact:  this trip
> > marks 47 years of VW Van trips all across the country....and there is
> > always something new to see.
> >
> > On Tuesday, October 12, 2021, 12:18:51 PM CDT, David McNeely <
> > davmcneely40@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hmmm.... .  Never even thought about removing the closet, though I,
> > like some others, have sometimes cursed it, and certainly would like a
> > wider bed, especially as both Bonnie and I have aged and find the
> > narrow bed more confining than in the past.  Now that I have read
> > these comments, and the instructions on how to remove the closet, I
> > might consider that.  After all, I can organize the things I put there
> > perfectly well otherwise.  Like some others, I have never, ever, hung
> > any clothing items there.  The main compartment serves for bedding
> > mainly, and then for storage of items during camping.  We use sleeping
> > bags rather than home style bedding, for the convenience of storage
> > and mainly for the warmth.  They "store" almost anywhere stuffed into
> bags.
> >
> > The smaller, rearmost compartments I use for the same items as Eric does.
> > Spare oil and filter also go there, and a few tools.  I could put
> > everything there in a small case.
> >
> > I have at times considered putting in the door on the side of the
> > closet that someone from Canada once described on here, and actually
> > bought the parts to do it, but have never gotten around to it.
> >
> > So, even though the bed would still not be any wider, does not having
> > the closet there make it effectively roomier, Richard?
> >
> > mcneely
> >
> > On Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 6:59 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > I changed the subject so that I can keep them straight and for
> archives.
> > >
> > > Recently my closet has become much more useful.  So I’m In the keep
> > > it camp.
> > >
> > > The three rear compartments in the closet organize items really
> > > well.  I can easily find items from extension chords, rear screen,
> > > hatch opener lock-on and on.  I even found a low cost organizer for
> > > the back part between the door that holds useful small items.
> > > Rather then crowded I
> > have
> > > spaced things out to help with finding things or room for special
> > > items for  different trips.
> > >
> > > The large portion is not used for hanging close but rather bedding,
> > > pillows, and both bags of clothes. It is amazing how useful the
> > > cabinet space is when I set it up for a trip.  There can be very
> > > little in the living space.  Once I arrive I pop the top, put the
> > > bags on the Buese
> > shelf
> > > or up above, make the bed and the closet is empty and ready to
> > > gather
> > loose
> > > items like stuff sacks and such.
> > >
> > >        So, I can see the usefulness of the removal but I love the
> > > organization, look, and neatness of this closet option.  But hang up
> > > close?  Not for me but I bet someone out there loves that option!
> > >
> > > Someone on this list once described the Vanagon as the Swiss Army
> > > knife
> > of
> > > vehicles.  I think that is an accurate description.  And the removal
> > > and return of the rear cabinet, depending on current needs only adds
> to that!
> > >
> > > But, for me over time the cabinets have become more and more useful.
> > >
> > > Eric Caron
> > > > On Oct 12, 2021, at 3:32 AM, Mark Belanger <mbelanger@GMAIL.COM>
> > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hook? My '91 has a bar going across...
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > -MB
> > > >
> > > > On Mon, Oct 11, 2021 at 6:45 PM Jeff Palmer
> > > > <w.jeff.palmer@icloud.com>
> > > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > >> So I actually like and use the closet :) Freshly pressed shirts
> > > >> for
> > job
> > > >> interviews.  T-shirts easier to hang than fold.  I’ve been using
> > > >> one
> > of
> > > >> those shoe storage hanging thingys for the last little bit to
> > > >> store
> > odds
> > > >> and ends.
> > > >>
> > > >> If I could choose a wider bed I would, but since I’m stuck with
> > > >> the
> > one
> > > I
> > > >> have … I guess the bed can best be described as ‘romantic?'
> > > >>
> > > >> But then the hook in the closet broke off.  I’ve never heard of
> > > >> that happening before.  And it seems like I’ll have to pul the
> > > >> cabinet to
> > be
> > > >> able to access and repair.  So this thread is timely!
> > > >>
> > > >> Thanks
> > > >> Jeff
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>> On Oct 11, 2021, at 9:23 PM, Alfred Bagdan <abagdan@SHAW.CA>
> wrote:
> > > >>>
> > > >>> When I was remodeling my house, I removed all the innards so I
> > > >>> could
> > > use
> > > >> the van for hauling construction materials.  When I put it back
> > > together, I
> > > >> did not put the closet back in.  I put a couple of screws in to
> > > >> the
> > > ceiling
> > > >> to hold up the top of the cabinet,  since the closet was not
> > > >> there
> > > anymore
> > > >> to support it.  To hang up clothes I put some hooks at the end of
> > > >> the
> > > top
> > > >> cabinet.  These are some of the advantages of not having the closet:
> > > >>> Better vision through the rear window Less weight to haul around
> > > >>> More width to haul wide items,  for example a queen size bed,
> > > >>> sheets
> > of
> > > >> plywood, etc ...
> > > >>> More room to move around when using the bed It feels airier
> > > >>> inside  ...
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Alfred, 85 Westy
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Sent from Mail for Windows
> > > >>>
> > > >>> From: Richard Koerner
> > > >>> Sent: October 11, 2021 7:16 PM
> > > >>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > > >>> Subject: Re: Rear closet temporary removal
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Okay, okay....this is from a Tintop guy with a homemade camper
> > > situation
> > > >> inside.  I never fully understood the rationale behind the "closet".
> > > Seems
> > > >> to me, that it takes up a LOT of bedspace, and after all, that's
> > > >> why
> > we
> > > >> live in a van, so we can sleep inside.  Adds weight of course.
> > > >> What,
> > > are
> > > >> you going to travel cross-country with nicely hanged clothes?
> > > >>> All right...I realize I am going to step on toes of many fellow
> > Vanagon
> > > >> owners with this comment.
> > > >>> Currently in West Texas, from San Diego to Mississippi River and
> > headed
> > > >> back home.  All clothes nice in duffle bags; ready for laundry
> > > >> day at nearest spot I will admit.
> > > >>> But, I still don't understand the utility of the "closet".
> > > >>> Yikes!  Flames a'comin'!!!
> > > >>>
> > > >>>  On Monday, October 11, 2021, 08:04:41 PM CDT, Jim. Felder <
> > > >> jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > >>>
> > > >>> I haven’t done this in a while but it doesnt take very long and
> > > >>> isn’t
> > > all
> > > >>> that difficult especially with help. The closet is a tight fit
> > > >>> and
> > if I
> > > >>> recall, you will have to slide it over toward the center of the
> > > >>> car,
> > > plus
> > > >>> turn it around, so that it can be laid over and slipped out the
> back.
> > > No
> > > >>> need to remove the twin-too cabinet but if you take out the
> > > >>> panel
> > under
> > > >> the
> > > >>> seat you can do that too. If you want to get behind the wall
> > > >>> behind
> > the
> > > >>> double top cabinet you will have to pull out the kitchen unit.
> > > >>> This
> > > will
> > > >> be
> > > >>> easy now but you will have to take all the LP gas plumbing out
> > > >>> and
> > take
> > > >>> wiring loose. Just be very careful you don’t pull any wires
> > > >>> loose and
> > > >> mark
> > > >>> where every single connector goes back to. And there are many by
> > > >>> the
> > > time
> > > >>> you get down to the water tank. But it won’t take as long as it
> > > >>> sound
> > > >> like
> > > >>> it will. Reassembly is a bit harder but not too bad.
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Jim
> > > >>>
> > > >>> On Mon, Oct 11, 2021 at 7:55 PM Eric Caron
> > > >>> <ericcaron96@comcast.net>
> > > >> wrote:
> > > >>>
> > > >>>> Hi folks,
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> I’ve never removed my rear closet. I’m planning to eventually
> > > >>>> take
> > it
> > > >> out
> > > >>>> to hopefully access some of the area on the side of the van for
> > sound
> > > >> and
> > > >>>> vibration material.  I also want to get behind the siding for
> > > >>>> the
> > wire
> > > >> for
> > > >>>> the rear upper GW brake light.
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> Can I remove the bolts connecting the closet to the upper
> > > >>>> cabinet,
> > > side
> > > >>>> cabinet, upper shelf and the floor then pull out to access some
> > > >>>> of
> > > that
> > > >>>> area? Is there more to it and some problem areas?
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>>        Will this allow me to access some of the side of the van?
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> I don’t plan at this time to get into any other cabinet moving
> > > >>>> but
> > > would
> > > >>>> like to access as much as I can.
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> Is there a safe way to remove the panel over the two flip top
> > cabinets
> > > >> to
> > > >>>> access some of the side panel area?
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> Tips appreciated.
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> Eric
> > > >>>
> > > >>
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > >
> > ______________________________________________________________________
> > __
> > > > Mark Belanger - mbelanger@gmail.com
> > >
> >
>
>