Toyota Sienna AWD Sportsmobile

[sinbad]

Funny about the old VW Westfalia - We owned an 84 Westfalia, drove it 100,000 miles. It camped great, only no A/C, short wheelbase which was not very comfortable driving and a 48" wide bed. So, 3 pop top campers later, we are on the Sienna with A/C, a queen size bed, long wheelbase, comfortable driving and 25 mpg!

Not sure where we are going with another van, unless Dodge does really bring the Fiat full size FWD Ducato van to the USA. We saw 1000's of these Ducato vans on our recent European camping trip with our Sienna (yes we shipped it from the East Coast to Europe (Belgium) and returned it to the USA - must less than renting one there). The most popular RV in Europe is the Fiat/Peugeot Ducato/Boxer either as a Class B or Class C. The full size Class B with the 159" wheelbase, gets 30 mpg on a 2.3 liter diesel with a 6 speed manual transmission. Likely USA version will be an automatic. It would be nice to have a shower, double glazed windows for noise reduction instead of material sides to the pop top, more space and even a small washer/dryer(it is possible in this size). The Ducato is similar to Merceles/Dodge Sprinter, but FWD, a top which is 9" lower than the Sprinter, wider wheelbase and a floor lower than the Sprinter by 8". So, we will see what happens in 2013 with the "RAM" van.
Sinbad