On Mon, 22 Sep 1997, tellis wrote:

> Good Question!  I have seen and driven the EV Winnie and I have only read
> about and seen literature from Germany on the EV Westie.  The engines are
> the same as are most of the mechanical and driving systems.
>
> Advantages that I see:
> 1. The refrigerator is 12 volt, and evidently very reliable.  The door
> lifts up, which makes it much more efficient.

        The Winnebago has a 3-way, which includes 12V and has been, at least for
me, very reliable.  I don't understand the door thing.  How is a door that
"lifts up" more efficient?  Based on this, I would go for the 3-way
Norcold in the Winnebago.

> 2. Drainboard comes down over stove and drains into the sink as previous Westie.

        I can put a drainboard on top of the stove.  Not a big deal.

> 3. Storage seems better designed in cab and in back.

        Now I can see where cabinet design could be different.  Is the
Westfalia floorplan different?  Or just different shaped cabinets and doors?
What's better?

> 4. Color choices other than white.

        Yeh.  White's fine.  But wouldn't be my first choice.

> 5.  Well -- it's a Westie!

        Mmmm.  Not an advantage in itself.

> Possible Disadvantages:
> 1. Top has less head room.  It is low profile like the weekender EVs that
> were imported to the US.

        Less is bad.

> 2.  Canvas in poptop has screen only on front, not on the sides as well as
> in the EV Winnie.

        This is major.  I can't imagine not having the sidescreens and why
anyone would produce a top without them.

> 3.  Because the top is low profile and goes the entire length of the van,
> it doesn't have the storage area above the drivers/passenger seat.  This
> could be a driving and fuel mileage advantage.

        Minor.  But of what use is the interior space above the cab?  I
can't imagine a need to stand there.

> 4.  No small sink/spray accessible from the rear.

        Real handy.

> 5.  Possible more difficulty in locating replacement parts for camping
> components.

        Possibly a major problem.

Overall, I still have not read nor seen any information that makes me
conclude that Westfalia does a better job at conversion than Winnebago.

Thanx for the info!

--Drew
95 EV-C (Beulah)