Just as with T3 campers, there are many models of VW T4 conversions. This one
is built by Carthago, and is based on the high top long T4 chassis. Total height is about 2.65m, and interior height about 1.85m. Just barely enough for me to stand inside. The early nineties version of the T4 came either with a 2.4 NA Diesel
with 78Hp and just enough oomph to go about 120km/h on flat highways.
Less desirable (and therefore more rare) in Europe was the 2.5l gas (due to its thirst and the high gas price
in Europe). The gas gives a bit more top speed, but both engines are a bit
short on torque for the heavy T4 van. Note the T4 is significantly heavier
than the T3.
The Carthago 31.1 model interior. Note the unusual arrangement with the
kitchen row extending to the back and with a seating group with
facing seats in the middle. The top bed stores up next to the ceiling and
swirvels down for use. The most interesting version of the Carthago is the
32.2 model, where instead of the cabinets to the right in the rear there
is a bathroom with shower and sink. Even has a small hot water heater.
This must be one of the most compact (lenghth 5m) campers with all these
amenities!
Personally I think the biggest drawback of this camper version is the limted storage space for bulky baggage (hiking size backpacks etc). In the T3 and T4 westies one has all the back area behin dthe bench seat to store stuff during the day, but in the Carthago, one needs access all the way from front to rear and bulky stuff is in the way regardless of where one puts it.
Here's the Carthago with folded bed. The table has to be stowed,
drivers seat slid forward a bit, both bench seats folded, and an additional
piece added to the width of the rear seat. IMHO the conversion is way to
cumbersome, and the bed is a bit on the short side.
The top bed is easier to flip down, but a bit heavy to push up.
My opinion on the Carthago is that while technically it sleeps 4
and carries up to six, it is less practical for a family than
a regular westy. The main advantage is the bathroom in the 32.2
model, and it would be suitable for a couple traveling without
too much bulky (sports) gear.
Here is a different, more conventional interior arrangement in
a T4 long hightop camper. This one is by Reimo. As seen in the image,
the layout of the cabinets and seatbank is as in the T4 Westfalia,
but a foot of extra floor space is gained from using the long model.
The table mounts on a swirveling floor stand and can be pushed against
the sliding door wall to be a bit out of the way, without having to
stow it. This is a bit better than in the T4 Westy, where the table
mounts on the kitchen bench rail and has to be unmounted and stowed
to allow people to move around in the camper. However, it is not
nearly as smart as in the Westy T3 camper, where the table simply swings
completely out of the way over the rear bench half. In the T4 long
there should be room for the T3 solution, but apparently nobody thought
about it.
Again, the Reimo interior. In concept very similar to Westfalia,
but I found the quality to the plastic fittings to be a bit
inferior.
The smart idea I found in many Reimo campers is how the water tank and pump are arranged. To me it is often more difficult to go tpo a place and fill up the fixed tank in my Westies. In the Reimos instead of a fixed tank, the water system is made up of two removable 10l jugs with handle (like an oversize coolant jug) These jugs one simply carries inside and fills up from any tap, so noo need for a hose or getting your vehicle physically close to a tap. The top of the jugs have a wide enough mouth to slip in a submersible pump and the hose and wiring to the pump goes through the screw cap. I'm thinking it would be nice to refit my Westy with this system. It would be much more convenient when taking winter trips, as there is no need to drain and fill the water system each time. One just carries the jugs inside.
Another Reimo T4 long. This one with pop-top. The pop top version saves
0.5 - 1l/100km of fuel compared to the hightop, and is sometimes parkable
in public garages. (Although disturbingly often the limit is now 1.9 or 2m.
Both the T3 and T4 need about 2.10m.)
After 300tkm the interior was pretty worn down, and all the plastic latches had broken in one way or another. (In my 25 year old T3 Westy not a single latch has broken!)
The vents on the sides are for air circulation on the back of the
fridge.