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Editor's note: This is part of a series at KSL.com featuring some of Utah's coolest cars. If you own a customized vehicle — from sports cars to semi trucks — email fjolley@ksl.com with a photo of the vehicle and a brief description for consideration.SPANISH FORK — While most of us might go camping four weekends a year, Ron Chandler said that last year he only missed four weekends of camping— meaning that 48 weekends last year he was not sleeping in a regular bed.
How does he do it? He bought a hard-core camper and fully equipped it.
His vehicle of choice is a 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro Westfalia. “Vanagon” means it’s the van that replaced the Volkswagen bus, “Syncro” means it’s all-wheel drive with locking axles and “Westfalia” means it’s ready for camping and includes a pop-top, fridge, heater and sink.
Chandler pointed out that when VW switched its engines to water-cooling, it just adapted the old air-cooled design and had a lot of problems. Chandler bought his in 2010 with a Subaru engine already behind the back flap. He points out that the Subaru power is more reliable and powerful than the old VW engine, but its 2.2 liters still have to push 6,000 pounds down the highway.
Chandler upgraded the heater and fridge and added solar power and batteries to power things overnight. He said he has replaced everything on the van, so if anything breaks down on the road he knows what parts to get.
He has been greeted by shocked Jeep drivers at Moab and has driven the vehicle from Seattle to San Diego four times. Chandler said he has camped at 10,000 feet in Colorado when it was -14 degrees. His added propane tank came in handy and his water tank holds 15 gallons.
He also owns 1962 and 1973 buses, and three of his children also own Volkswagens. He said the best thing about his Syncro is how rare it is: The vehicles were brought to the U.S. in very limited numbers, and less than 2,000 are on the road today. That rarity is also the worst thing about driving a Syncro: it’s tough to get parts and they are not cheap.
He also does some great photo and video work of his VW repairs and adventures. You can check them out on his YouTube channel here.
Brian Champagne has reported on cars for more than nine years. He holds a master's degree in communications from the University of the Pacific and teaches at Utah State University. Contact him at iaabfl@yahoo.com.
