VW Campers: Books - Purchase, Furnishing and Maintenance

VW Camper - The Inside Story - A Guide to VW Camping Conversions and Interiors 1951-2012 (Third Edition)

Using archive and period brochure images, and photographs of original-condition models still surviving to illustrate the detailed text, this book documents the various specifications, layouts, fitments and optional equipment of over forty different conversion companies, from well-known names like Devon and Westfalia, to lesser-known or unusual models such as Slumberwagen and Arcomobil.

Since publication of the first edition in 2005, followed by a revised, expanded edition in 2012, "VW Camper - The Inside Story" has been acclaimed by enthusiasts and lovers of the VW Camper, and has become a definitive guide to the many different camping conversions built on the VW Transporter and Microbus.
This revised and expanded third edition updates the story across six generations of the VW Bus and includes additional information and pictures, including more conversions, as well new information about the very early years and the latest models.

Information

Author:	David Eccles
Details:	208 pages, 29.5 x 21 x 1.5 cm / 11.6 x 8.25 x 0.59 in, paperback
Illustrations:	500 colour photos
Publisher:	The Crowood Press Ltd (GB, 2020)
ISBN:	9781785007613

Volkswagen Camper : 40 Years of Freedom - An A-Z of Popular Camper Conversions

VW Buses command a massive following - with Campers being the most popular of all. Complementing the author's successful volume covering the first three generations of Volkswagen's legendary Transporter, this book delves exclusively into the spin-off conversions based on the VW Panelvan, Kombi and Microbus that became known simply as VW Campers.

From the original Westfalia Camping Box to the pioneering Pitt Moto-Caravan and Britain's extremely popular Devon and Danbury models, the book also covers everything from the weird to the genuinely wonderful, including models produced exclusively for the US market.

Making extensive use of original promotional material - ranging from lavish photography to quaint but charming home-spun images - here is a complete record, including layouts for the restorer, of older models and those interested in the luxury associated with the third generation Wedge.

With a lively and entertaining text covering all aspects of the VW Camper story, this is both a unique reference book and a coffee-table extravaganza to be enjoyed over and over again.
Packed with original marketing images, including unusual, discontinued models this book will fascinate any VW fanatic.

Information

Author:	Richard Copping
Details:	176 pages, 22.5 x 22.5 x 2.4 cm / 8.9 x 8.9 x 0.94 in, paperback
Illustrations:	182 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Veloce Publishing Ltd (GB, 2017)
Series:	Veloce Classic Reprint
ISBN:	9781787111226

The VW Camper Story

Once the British had helped perfect a way to raise the roof, the Volkswagen Camper became a worldwide phenomenon - the mobile home for everyone from student adventurers to gung-ho grandparents. Volkswagen vans have been front (originally rear) engined and water (originally air) cooled now for over 20 years, yet the spirit of the Camper is as unbowed as ever.
Here, award-winning writer Giles Chapman tells the whole, amazing story.

Information

Author:	Giles Chapman
Details:	128 pages, 13 x 19 x 1.4 cm / 5.1 x 7.5 x 0.55 in, hardback
Illustrations:	profusely illustrated
Publisher:	The History Press Ltd (GB, 2011)
ISBN:	9780752462813

VW Camper Inspirational Interiors - Bespoke and Custom Interior Designs

One of the main attractions of the VW Bus, apart from its iconic looks and rugged reliability, is the way owners take the bus to heart and into their family, and set about personalizing them through both exterior and interior design and styling.

Designing and building [or commissioning] an interior that will service your own needs is a daunting yet exciting task, and within this book you will find many different sorts of interior to admire and inspire.
Some have been built on a budget from scratch by the owner, some have been adapted and revamped, others are bespoke one-offs, built to the owner's designs. Some recreate period styling with a contemporary twist; others bring in completely modern designs using new materials and shapes.

Whatever your taste in camper design, there will be something to amaze and inspire within these pages.

Information

Author:	David Eccles
Details:	224 pages, 30.5 x 22 x 1.7 cm / 12 x 8.7 x 0.67 in, hardback
Illustrations:	400 colour photos
Publisher:	The Crowood Press Ltd (GB, 2008)
ISBN:	9781847970701

Vom Transporter zum Campervan: Der Guide für jeden Selbstausbauer

This book offers you the opportunity to convert your van into a campervan in a simple and cost-effective way. Whether for help with the reconstruction or simply for inspiration, every do-it-yourselfer, hobby mechanic or hobbyist will find something useful in the 15 chapters.
Images and detailed tables make the conversions even quicker and easier to plan and implement.

Through my 10 years as a vehicle service technician at VW, I have incorporated the know-how I acquired there and made each chapter as simple and understandable as possible so that it is also practical for laypeople to implement.

• Detailed descriptions of the basics of camper conversion such as: insulation, retrofitting/installing windows, retrofitting a battery isolation relay for second batteries, retrofitting solar panels, retrofitting auxiliary heating, etc....
• Tabular summary of the work steps, work and building materials, costs as well as inspirational building instructions and retrofitting ideas for useful gadgets for every campervan such as: DIY roof rack, solar shower, armrest box, bed with pull-out outdoor kitchen, etc.
• Precise, bullet point descriptions of the work steps in each chapter

(revised version 2020)

Information

Author:	Lukas Schmid
Details:	119 pages, 23 x 15.5 x 0.7 cm / 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.28 in, paperback
Illustrations:	profusely illustrated
Publisher:	Independently Published (USA, 2020)
ISBN:	9781070677682

VW-Campingbus selbstgebaut - Typ 2 (ab Juli 1979) | Jetzt helfe ich mir selbst

"Do it yourself" inspiration for building a camper van, using the example of the VW Type 2. The book introduces the basic vehicle, helps with interior planning, gives tips for installing the furniture and all units from the refrigerator to the gas system, advises on the TÜV and clarifies insurance issues.

Book contents:
- The base vehicle
- Type development
- Buying a used van
- Tools and resources
- Preparing the used van
- Modifications to the bodywork
- What is allowed?
- Special roofs
- Windows for the camping bus
- Insulation and wall coverings
- A small analysis of use
- Planning the furnishing
- Construction of the furnishing
- The furnishing suggestion
- Ready-made furniture
- Curtains and seat covers
- The 12-volt on-board network
- The 220-volt system
- The gas system
- The water system
- The refrigerator
- The heating
- Theft protection
- TÜV-testing and approval
- Taxes and insurance
- Special constructions
- Awnings
- Traveling with children
- Traveling and difficult circumstances
- Historical overview
- Address list
- Index.

Information

Author:	Thomas Lautenschlager, Gerhard Axmann
Details:	258 pages, 26.5 x 20 cm / 10.4 x 7.9 in, paperback
Illustrations:	350 photos and drawings
Publisher:	Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2012)
Series:	Jetzt helfe ich mir selbst (122)
ISBN:	9783613011403

More information on the series Jetzt helfe ich mir selbst

Vom T2 zum Camper VW - Bus-Umbau leicht gemacht

Campers based on VW buses - especially classics like the T2 - are legendary. But not everyone has the money to buy an old VW bus that has already been built as a camper. So why not convert a normal van - simply, cheaply and practically, with roadworthiness and, above all, with safe vintage status including an H license plate?
VW bus specialist and author Ralf Wenzlau uses the example of a former government bus to show how simple projects without too many special parts can be implemented by anyone - even hobby mechanics with little project experience.

The most important conversion work is described using countless photos and easy-to-understand descriptions:
- How is a reliable power supply installed
- and what do the associated circuit diagrams look like?
- How do I build light and stable built-in furniture?
- How do I preserve the historic vehicle substance?
- What do I have to bear in mind when carrying out the work with regard to the general inspection?
- and much more.

This practical manual is supplemented by numerous tips and tricks that can be helpful when dealing with a 40-year-old VW van. All of the work presented can easily be transferred to similar camper conversion projects.

Information

Author:	Ralf Wenzlau
Details:	152 pages, 30 x 21.5 cm / 11.8 x 8.5 in, hardback
Illustrations:	300 colour photos
Publisher:	Heel-Verlag GmbH (D, 2016)
ISBN:	9783958430419