The one under the van is 30+ years old - it is possible that it could be pressure tested and used, but I just thought it would be easy to run on smaller bottles and I didn't have to have the one under the vehicle for clearance. I remember reading that the old ones didn't have a pressure release valve, but I never followed up to check the veracity of that. If I needed/wanted a tank under the van, gowesty, amazon, and others sell underbelly propane tanks. Those would be newer and prettier and even rust free, but I never worried about propane in the van like some do - I checked for leaks and it checked out. My reasoning was just ease of use with the 1lb propane bottles.

Fair enough. I've read that the cost of inspection/certification isn't that much. I haven't done it with my current Westy, and I just used the other on my prior Westy.

@@ryderwayland it's still hanging in there. I did replace the table legs because the folding legs the dinette table came with were pretty weak / low quality. Other than that, everything is still kicking like it should.

I am pretty sure it was a 3/8" fitting. Amazon and other retailers have those that run from 3/8 to the 1lb propane bottle size. I bought mine from the grill section at a big box store.

I'm with you on the bunk design. I've seen others where it is open. This design makes you feel like you are in a submarine...

Thanks. Will do.

Thanks for the kind comments.

@@tmherrin Your very welcome.

I'm sure it would be possible, but you would probably have to figure out a custom mount and determine if the connections used could suffer the abuse (weather, temperature, dirt, etc).

I would assume they are similar - maybe my model is a little longer and a little wider but with the front seats scooted up, my guess is that the mattress should still work fine.

They are still hanging in there. They have outlasted the led light bar I mounted as well. No water intrusion in them.

Glad it was helpful. 👍

I have towed a tilt trailer with a Kawasaki mule on it - the tongue weight of the trailer was probably that much if not more. There are two types of trailer hitches - one that just bolts on to the tow hooks and the one I put on in the video that has metal straps that also go under and attach to the VW's engine mount. I trust mine (I have a 1968 Honda CT90 trail) but make sure to strap it down well so it doesn't torque outwards and put extra stress on the hitch and also doesn't send a handlebar through my back windshield (been there, done that...).

I am 6'3" - I think you will have plenty of room if you move the passenger seat up. The problem becomes filling the gap that is over the rear footwell. I just wedge a pillow in there to make it work.

It has held up well. I occasionally tow a 5x8 trailer with a Kawasaki Mule on it and it pulls well and hasn't loosened up on me. I have had 3 bikes on a 4 bike carrier as well. I didn't put four bikes on it because I was more worried about the back glass than the hitch not handling it.

Awesome. I think a sportwagen has off-roading pretentions :) be sure to find screen that can keep out no-see-ums and not just mosquitoes - I made that mistake (I figured if they sold screen in the south it would keep those out by default...).

Doesn't the panoramic sunroof come with a power mesh shade? Mine did.

Yes, they have power mesh screens. Unfortunately mine got all tangle up in itself and was cut out.

Thanks! They made a noticeable difference. Before installing them I felt like I was outrunning my headlights. I hope to install the rear led light bulbs like you posted a while back. That's on my todo list.

Compré el mío en busdepot.com. Ahora no lo tienen. Aquí hay un enlace a un artículo similar: www.busdepot.com/j13123

I found some small bottles of spray paint that match the OEM brown at gowesty.com. I think Rustoleum Kona brown gets pretty close - I used that when I replaced the fresh air vent.

I saw the video of your paint job on the vanagon - looks nice.

My first attempt just using pillows failed miserably due to when I moved the seats up far enough for my height it created a gap that went down to the rear footwell. The inflatable mattress fixed it, but pulling in stuff and putting something soft on top could possibly remedy it as well. Thanks for sharing.

@@tmherrin I’m not talking about the front seats. Before you fold the back seats down, lift up on the rear seat cushion. Fold those forward and then fold the rear seats down. They will lay more flat. Looks fun either way. I’ve done similar with my Sportwagen TDI

@@aharquail may I ask how flat they get if you do it that way? Do they go completely flat or..? Thanks.

I have never had mine get stuck. I googled around and found a website with the manual (campwestfalia.com/using-westfalia-stove/). It didn't mention anything like what you described (at least what I could find). I would assume that there is some method to clean propane knobs but likely not with the typical cleaner/lubricant. If I find out anything later I'll post it.

I dug around in the Samba for some info and found a listing where they totally overhauled their stove. I always treat things that are combustible with a high respect, so I don't know if I would do all this guy did, but he is very detailed and looking at it, it doesn't look too difficult (I thought that about replacing the water pump on my vehicle and now totally understand why mechanics can charge what they do...). Here is the link to the Samba post - www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=544333

I am pretty sure I got mine off of Busdepot.com or gowesty.com. I found an old listing on 2 separate websites - they are out but it has a pic of it and the part number: www.ebay.com/itm/Dash-Vent-80-91-VW-Vanagon-Syncro-Westfalia-T3-Black-251-819-709-/313314943264 carparts4sale.com/media/dash-vent-vw-vanagon-t3-80-91-syncro-westfalia-251-819-709-cp028637/

@@tmherrin Thank you!

I can’t seem to find these replacement vents. Anyone have luck finding recently? Thanks!

I bought it off of eBay - it is a 7" round headlight (not sure if it fits a new beetle or not). The original listing I bought it from isn't there anymore, but it was similar to this - www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-7inch-Round-LED-Headlights-Hi-Lo-Beam-Projector-For-Volkswagen-Beetle-50-79/383742318800?fits=Model%3AVanagon&hash=item5958d318d0:g:678AAOSwbZxf-Aah It does show that this fits a Beetle as well. I hope this helps.

@@tmherrin great help thx à lot !!!!

Did you find something for your new beetle ? My 06, SUCKS...I mean on low, it's like I have NOTHING. I usually follow another car, it's that bad.

Since I don't use it enough to justify leaving it connected (it would take me a while to go through a whole bottle), I would disconnect it after everything had cooled off.

@@tmherrinhow do you disconnect it safely

I needed to trim a good centimeter off for it to fit and rather than be patient and dry fit everything, I went ahead and wrapped it in vinyl. I went ahead and put the screws back in and it has held just fine however it is not completely in the passenger side groove for the headliner.

As red hot as a 6000 lb van can be :)

Glad it helped. I have really enjoyed having the option of a bike rack or towing a small 4x8 trailer.

Hope to have a video up by Sunday. Sorry for the delay.

Thanks for the comment. That has been a concern as I have been working on it. I can still load and unload it by myself (it is a bit unwieldy). I'll post the final weight tally when I post the final video.

We liked having it but my kid always was jealous of the bikes that had bottle holders.

Ha! Not yet. I'm still holding out but the kids think it is cool. :)

Thanks Zack!

Thanks Kathy. I like to poke at the guitar every once in a while. :)

I have some plans posted on Instructables (not the most detailed so if you have questions, feel free to post another message or two). - www.instructables.com/id/Red-Baron-Childs-Bicycle-Trailer/

For real. Newer cars have a dozen and a car 90s and earlier might have two total.

Thanks for the comment. My main goal was for the bike, but I do like having the option of pulling a small trailer.

thomas herrington yea I am wanting to get a 4 bike rack for mine as well. I have lots of kids

What kind of small trailers have you pulled; how much GVW? I want to pull a 30ft sailboat, 50-55mph, only at lower altitudes across USA, Canada, Alaska. I think I need a Class 3 hitch, with air shocks, electric trailer brakes, disc brakes on the Vanagon, perhaps a Vanagon Syncro would help, and more attachment points , so I don't rip the bumper off. I plan to have a Subaru EJ25, 227hp engine and a 5-speed SubaruGears transmission (Australia). The boat ballast weighs 3,300lbs, empty boat trailer weighs about 2,000lbs...

@@donjvalley I have towed several cars no problem. I pulled 4k over several mountains hauling wood. Steep climbs and decent. With that said it pulled it fine. I have a ej22 in mine. 4psd manual. My transmission was the weak point of my build. Subarugears is the way to go. I didn't have trailer brakes. It was definitely needed.

@@brokencompass8919 Thanks so much for your reply; the total GVW of the 30ft sailboat and trailer might be closer to 5,500lbs, but I plan on a Class 3 hitch and several re-inforced attachment points, AND trailer brakes, for sure...