Game changers for the Cali. What are yours?

[Perfectos]

Would you use this instead of awning tie-down straps, or at the same time as tie-down straps?

The tarps add a level of extra tensions the WO awning

straps add an extra level of security.

you need to assess this for yourself, no one has a definitive answer , do what you need to do based on the conditions

the tarps are great for adding shade and do help with wind resistance, but you need to be happy with what ever you decide to do, never rely on others to advise.

 

[.Billy Ocean.]

The tarps add a level of extra tensions the WO awning

straps add an extra level of security.

you need to assess this for yourself, no one has a definitive answer , do what you need to do based on the conditions

the tarps are great for adding shade and do help with wind resistance, but you need to be happy with what ever you decide to do, never rely on others to advise.

Thanks for your reply, I was wondering about the securing plates rather than the actual tarps, but your advice does of course still stand

 

[Perfectos]

Thanks for your reply, I was wondering about the securing plates rather than the actual tarps, but your advice does of course still stand

Appologies, The plates are very good, they allow an increased area to be pegged out with four additional pegs,
personally I do not use tie down straps,
if the weather / wind is strong the WO is put away.

 

[Azteccamper]

I do love a gadget.
But are we all a bit mad? It is so easy to get caught up in the buying of pointless objects. After 10 yrs we stripped right back to the basics for our recent road trip around Portugal and Northern Spain and it was brilliant. The van is brilliant as it is.

Basics include many of the items mentioned above

 

[soulstyledevon]

I do love a gadget.
But are we all a bit mad? It is so easy to get caught up in the buying of pointless objects. After 10 yrs we stripped right back to the basics for our recent road trip around Portugal and Northern Spain and it was brilliant. The van is brilliant as it is.

Basics include many of the items mentioned above

I’m with you there.
We cleared out all the crap we used to take and rely on the actual van. Awnings, bbqs etc etc.
We have a rule. It’s must be used within 3 trips or 6 months. If not, it’s taken out of the van.
Less is more

 

[Loz2286]

Yeah It did seem a little odd boiling water in a kettle with rubber sides. But the result is perfect, and the kettle fits better in the drawer so all good.

We prefer an all steel kettle. It's the only thing that doesn't get "put away" for driving. It sits on a piece of non-slip matting on top of the stove. Doesn't move, even on twisty Devon roads, and of course it's colour matched to the Cali.

 

[Pitstop Penny]

I do love a gadget.
But are we all a bit mad? It is so easy to get caught up in the buying of pointless objects. After 10 yrs we stripped right back to the basics for our recent road trip around Portugal and Northern Spain and it was brilliant. The van is brilliant as it is.

Basics include many of the items mentioned above

I think it’s all down to individual requirements and taste. We keep things pretty minimal but there are some additions that have been amazing.

We have kept loads of stuff over from our days of camping in a tent. We have plastic crockery that’s more than 40 years old, handed down from parents. Still going strong. Pretty proud of that!

We’ve never purchased a drive away awning. Always thought they were a bit clunky but that’s just us. We got some Brandrup side and front panels instead, which work well to keep the rain and sun out of our shelter. The electric folding kettle by Kampa is a god send and saves on gas. And I couldn’t possibly live without our Sea2Summit inflatable mattress.

 

[Pitstop Penny]

I’m with you there.
We cleared out all the crap we used to take and rely on the actual van. Awnings, bbqs etc etc.
We have a rule. It’s must be used within 3 trips or 6 months. If not, it’s taken out of the van.
Less is more

We went through this happy “edit” process before our trip to France recently. We didn’t omit much, I’m happy to report. Just a few things that have never really been used.

We added a cute mini wooden chopping board and a sharp knife. And replaced our pots and pans with Tefal ones that include detachable handles. Really made cooking so much easier.

I do wish we’d taken our massive camping chairs which turn into epic sunloungers though.

 

[chockswahay]

Our two old Bromptons in the boot

 

[Pitstop Penny]

Our two old Bromptons in the boot

Nice! We do the same. They’re perfect for camping trips!

 

[calimera]

Our Quechua base seconds tent takes minutes to put up & take down once you’ve got the knack. Easy/quick to drive from campsite for trips ,chucking bed etc into the tent. Invaluable .
Don’t understand why Decathlon/quechua stopped making them.

​

When its raining ,we roll out the awning a bit over front lip of the tent ,so we can step into it. Great changing room ,storage area & extra sitting area.

 

[66tim99]

Our Quechua base seconds tent takes minutes to put up & take down once you’ve got the knack. Easy/quick to drive from campsite for trips ,chucking bed etc into the tent. Invaluable .
Don’t understand why Decathlon/quechua stopped making them.

​

View attachment 95323
When weather raining ,we roll out the awning over front lip of the tent ,so we can step into it. Great changing room ,storage area & extra sitting area.

Cinch now make them - they're excellent (like you say once you've got the knack taking it down). Nice positioning idea that I will use, thanks.
https://cinchpopuptents.com/

 

[calibusje]

This year’s game changer for me was some coat hooks on the back of the front seats fitted under the headrests - really useful

Nice, useful
I got this for the bench: https://www.maxxcamp.de/shop/zubehoer/gepaecknetz-2er-sitz-liegebank.aspx
Maybe I can add some hooks at the front seats.

 

[calibusje]

Some think of buying stand alone aircon or ventilators for the hot nights in the cali when sleeping downstairs but for us this is our game changer:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08F9G5BM1/?tag=unique09f-21

 

[apreading]

Some think of buying stand alone aircon or ventilators for the hot nights in the cali when sleeping downstairs but for us this is our game changer:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08F9G5BM1/?tag=unique09f-21

I bought one of those (or similar) but have never used it for real - I got one of these and use this pretty much every time and rendered that thing redundant.

VW T5/T6 & T6.1 Sliding window vent (Factory glass only) | CMC Camper Shop

Fresh air in the living room Effective ventilation Stable and burglar-proof Quick to use, locking in the sliding window Rain protection - water runs off outside Enjoy a little bit of fresh air without nature trying to join you with these sliding window vents. These vents are designed to fit...

www.cmccampershop.co.uk

 

[calimera]

Biggest game changer for us was joining this forum . Rented a Cali from Martin before buying one. Helped navigate buying Grace 6 years ago at the best discount ,what to check when collecting & purchase the extended warranty.
Its continued to helps us in our Cali journey . Recently buying the 2 year extended warranty, 2 service & 2 year VW assist for £600 + . Good resource for travelling in Europe with our dogs & campsites in UK.
VIP discounts have been used lots.
Thank you VW CaliforniaClub you are a game changer.

 

[calibusje]

I bought one of those (or similar) but have never used it for real - I got one of these and use this pretty much every time and rendered that thing redundant.

VW T5/T6 & T6.1 Sliding window vent (Factory glass only) | CMC Camper Shop

Fresh air in the living room Effective ventilation Stable and burglar-proof Quick to use, locking in the sliding window Rain protection - water runs off outside Enjoy a little bit of fresh air without nature trying to join you with these sliding window vents. These vents are designed to fit...

www.cmccampershop.co.uk

We also have such a ventilation insert. Using both together gives a good effect.

 

[johnyboy]

I will also add cellular blankets, rather than a duvet. Provides more layering options and even four of them are thin enough to have the bed up in the roof space without removing. (still not quite thin enough to leave in place with roof down of course)

 

[Pitstop Penny]

Our Quechua base seconds tent takes minutes to put up & take down once you’ve got the knack. Easy/quick to drive from campsite for trips ,chucking bed etc into the tent. Invaluable .
Don’t understand why Decathlon/quechua stopped making them.

​

View attachment 95323
When its raining ,we roll out the awning a bit over front lip of the tent ,so we can step into it. Great changing room ,storage area & extra sitting area.

This is an awesome setup! Now we’ve done our first ever week in the van, we’ve learnt so much. Definitely going to get a pop up tent of some kind. For throwing stuff in and allowing us to easily set off and explore in the van for the day.

Also going to remove Cali chairs from boot, use that space to store our sun shades and wind breaks. And take our two massive sun loungers instead, haha!

 

[Mattsv]

Bike tent from Halfords for £40. Perfect for our larder cupboard in the middle, clothes bags on the left and chairs/cadac/crates etc on the right. No messing around with a driveaway awning and easy to leave on site if going out for the day. Very quick to set up, and packs down small enough to easily dir in the load through space next to the under bed drawer. Not fully waterproof (small patch of water insider after heavy rain in France one night) however we do also have a driveaway air awning that we use when in the UK.

 

[M88GAV]

Bike tent from Halfords for £40. Perfect for our larder cupboard in the middle, clothes bags on the left and chairs/cadac/crates etc on the right. No messing around with a driveaway awning and easy to leave on site if going out for the day. Very quick to set up, and packs down small enough to easily dir in the load through space next to the under bed drawer. Not fully waterproof (small patch of water insider after heavy rain in France one night) however we do also have a driveaway air awning that we use when in the UK.

View attachment 95630

Just zoomed in on the photo and looks like you have a bar in there too

 

[chockswahay]

A couple of elastic bands on the security straps for the pop top…….. keeps them out of the way when sliding the tambour back into place (am I the only one who thinks it’s a bit of grief?)

 

[calibusje]

A couple of elastic bands on the security straps for the pop top…….. keeps them out of the way when sliding the tambour back into place (am I the only one who thinks it’s a bit of grief?)
View attachment 96189

You are right! They are a grief when closing the tambour. Good idea and I'll imitate you right away

 

[Perfectos]

A couple of elastic bands on the security straps for the pop top…….. keeps them out of the way when sliding the tambour back into place (am I the only one who thinks it’s a bit of grief?)
View attachment 96189

It’s the little things, mine catch the tambour hatch 8 times out of 10 when closing. No major issues but nice not to happen !

I may copy this with black shock cord.

 

[Wesel]

A couple of elastic bands on the security straps for the pop top…….. keeps them out of the way when sliding the tambour back into place (am I the only one who thinks it’s a bit of grief?)
View attachment 96189

Good idea, I'll try soon.