Superhost

·

San Jose, CA

“Chewie” the 1985 Volkswagen Westfalia

5.0

Excellent

35 reviews

Pet friendly

21+

Sleeps 4

15 ft. long

Say hello to Chewie! Our classic VW Westfalia. He’s a burly ‘85 Westy that goes opposite of light speed. We’ve upgraded him with a few luxuries, and as always — stocked full of top notch camping gear.Full featured, the van includes a "pop top", 2 beds to sleep 4 adults comfortably, propane stove, an aluminum cooler, sink, portable heat, outdoor camping table, a closet with plenty of storage, and those killer bucket seats that swivel! Like the rest of the Westy's we all love, Chewie is fully equipped to meet all your camping and adventure needs. We've modernized him with a bluetooth stereo, solar panel + auxiliary battery to keep your gadgets charged during your adventure, and he’s also working with an Automatic Transmission and power steering so there's no need to learn how to operate a stick shift or be a professional arm wrestler.Chewie is perfect for a long family trip or just a quick getaway for a couple to a nearby beach or National Park. We hope you will enjoy him for your next adventure as much as our family does! Pro tip: If you pass another VW, be sure to wave. Peace signs, shakas, and the always classic rock on formations work best ( | | ), but any old gesture will do. It’s a tradition amongst VW van drivers like you :)What's includedRental includes 100 miles per day; extra miles are $1.00 each. While the van can travel 300+ miles daily, it’s best to stay under 200 miles, especially in hot weather. For longer drives, please take occasional breaks for you and the van.Included Equipment:
• Medium pot
• Small frying pan
• Cutting board
• 4 mugs
• 4 large plates
• 4 small plates
• 4 bowls
• 1 small mixing bowl
• Knife
• Forks/spoons/butter knives
• Wine opener
• 2 sleeping bags
• 2 pillows
RecommendationsHighly recommend you download the iOverlander mobile app to find amazing scenic places to park and camp. Chewie is perfect for a long family trip or just a quick getaway for a couple to a nearby beach or National Park. Pro tip: If you pass another VW, be sure to wave. Peace signs, shakas, and the always classic rock on formations work best (✌️ | 🤙 | 🤘), but any old gesture will do. It’s a tradition amongst VW van drivers like you :)Other things to notePlease keep in mind that this is a unique vehicle that requires more attention than a modern vehicle. Keep in mind that when going over mountain passes or steep grades it will slow down to maybe 40-45 mph. This is normal and part of the journey. Please do not push it too hard, Chewie is just telling you that you need to "slow life down" 😊

Quick summary

AI generated

  • Relive classic road trips in 'Chewie,' a modernized VW Westfalia for mindful travelers.

  • Updated automatic steering and solar power make your vintage journey effortless.

  • Just bring food and clothes; 'Chewie' comes fully stocked with camping essentials.

  • Discover unique, mindful travel as 'Chewie' invites you to slow down and savor the journey.

1985 Volkswagen Vanagon

Length

15 ft

Transmission

Automatic

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Tank Size

16 gal

Sleeps

4

Seatbelts

4

Floor plan
Host add-ons

Buddy Portable Heater

£11.10 each

See details

Camping Chairs

£3.70 each

See details

Camping Stove

£13.32 each

See details

Lusso Kids Travel Tray

£7.40 each

See details

Pet Fee

£37.00 each

See details

Portable Camping Table

£7.40 each

See details
“Chewie” the 1985 Volkswagen Westfalia

Popular choice! Viewed 645 times this month

Dates

Guest reviews
5.0

Excellent

35 reviews

Overall rating

5

4

3

2

1

Communication

5

Cleanliness

5

Maintenance

4.77

Value

4.88

Listing accuracy

4.88

Review summary

Responsive, helpful, and thorough host

Anthony consistently earns praise for his prompt communication, helpfulness in trip preparation, and detailed explanations of the van's features, including pre-departure guides or 'how-to' videos. He is also noted for his flexibility with guests.

Reliable, easy-driving vintage van

The 1985 Volkswagen Westfalia, 'Chewie,' is well-maintained, clean, and fully equipped for camping and cooking. Guests describe it as easy and smooth to drive, performing well on hills and in rain, despite its age. The pop-top offers extra space and warmth.

Shingo I.

April 2026

5.0

We had an incredible experience renting "Chewie" (1985 Westfalia) from Anthony. As someone renting a vintage van for the first time, I was impressed by how well-maintained the vehicle was. It ran smoothly throughout our trip to Yosemite and Napa, giving us total peace of mind on the road. ​Two features were particularly convenient: ​Bluetooth Audio: Having this installed made it so easy to use smartphone navigation and enjoy our favorite playlists during the long drives. ​Reliable Battery: The electrical system was robust, and we had ample power throughout our camping stays without any issues. ​Anthony was a fantastic host—very helpful and professional. The van was clean, well-stocked, and full of character. If you want a soulful, worry-free road trip, Chewie is the perfect choice. Highly recommended!

Brie M.

March 2026

5.0

My family had a great time renting Chewy. Anthony was quick to respond and helpful in getting us out on the road. Highly recommend!

Gianna D.

February 2026

5.0

We LOVED our time with Chewie! He had everything we needed, was super cozy, and handled super nice for an older vehicle! We took him to Big Sur and had a blast even in 2 days of rain! Anthony was super helpful and kind, responded promptly to our messages when we needed help with anything! Will be booking again!! 😄

Lorraine O.

November 2025

5.0

Chewie was reliable, well maintained, cozy, and stocked with all we needed for our family of three on a short camping trip to Pinnacles National Park. Anthony was super communicative and flexible. We’re looking forward to another adventure with Chewie!

S
Stephanie K.

November 2025

5.0

We have rented a lot of vans to adventure out west and this was by far our favorite experience to date. Anthony gave an indepth guide to all the features of the van prior to departure. As it is an older van, it does have a smaller gas tank as to be expected so plan gas stop accordingly. We camped with our infant and had space for a bassinet. Even with lows in the 40s the van was warm without an additional heat source with just sleeping bags. The head space with the pop up and additional bed were awesome as we had some rain and were able to have additional space to stay out of the elements. Plus Chewie is just such an awesome fan and experience if you never experienced a VW camper van.

Guest Photos

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Features
1985 Volkswagen Vanagon
  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 seatbelts
  • Fresh water: 13 gal
  • Fuel type: Gas
  • Fuel capacity: 16 gal
  • Automatic transmission
Amenities
  • Solart
  • Audio Inputs
  • Radio
  • Stove
  • Kitchen Sink
  • Dining Table
  • Extra Storage
Nearby places to stay
Rules and policies
  • 11 start time
    15 end time
  • Pet friendly
  • No music festivals
  • No tailgating
  • No smoking
  • Mileage: 100 free miles / day
  • No generator
Cancellation: Moderate
Frequently asked questions

Q.

What flexibility is available for picking up and dropping off the RV?

A.

Check in and out time is flexible between 8:00 am to 8:00 pm (will coordinate the time around 1 week prior to the pick up date)

Meet your host, Anthony

Superhost • Member since 2021

Anthony is a Superhost

Superhosts are highly-rated and experienced, ensuring you have a fantastic outdoor experience.

We love being able to take our daughter and 2 French bulldogs wherever we go Feel free to message me before booking! I would love to answer any questions you might have. I'm here to help make your trip as memorable as possible!

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