Each Van Italy vehicle features a diesel engine, two-burner gas cooker, refrigerator, sink with pump and water tank, table, storage, diesel-stationary heater, stereo radio, CD player, power steering, 5-liter gas (i.e. propane, LPG) container, electric cable drum, and standard European exterior AC connection cable. The bench seat converts to a double bed and the pop up roof serves as another double bed. As such, the vehicles accommodate up to 4 adults. The vehicles do not have built-in a shower or a toilet, nor do they have an awning.

The refrigerator can be powered three ways: by 12 V battery, by 220 V hook-up, or by gas (propane, LPG). The cooking stove is powered by propane gas, and the sink is powered by 12 volt battery power. The camper vans are not suitable for winter travel. The comfort heating system is powered by diesel.

The “California” is a true VW model with a Westfalia conversion from the factory. In contast, the “Carthago” is a reputable independent aftermarket camper converter in Europe. Thus the California has the “proper” heater (diesel powered, made by Eberspacher), though there is absolutely nothing wrong with the propane heater (Propex) featured in the Cathargo. It just makes sense to use the diesel from the fuel tank for comfort heat, if it’s available, because there is typically much more fuel available in the fuel tank, and you don’t deplete your relatively limited (5 liters) propane cooking/refrigeration supply keeping warm. This is really only a consideration if you are base-camped somewhere for more than five days or so in cold weather.