An extremely excited new Cali T7 hybrid owner…advice welcome

Jeannette · Aug 24, 2026

We are the proud owners of a nearly new (ex demo), California T7.
We bought a very old but beautifully converted T4 camper couple of years back to test out if we liked ‘van life’….we discovered we loved it, (Though mainly used it as a day van), and have been looking for ages to upgrade. Finally picked up our beautiful Cali a week ago…and have already done a couple of overnighters to test her out…one in a farmers field with horses and sheep our only neighbours! it’s a revelation having air con, heating, electric windows etc!
We have watched loads of YouTube videos and we are getting to grips with everything, including getting the bed out at night and organising things and would be grateful for any advice on managing ‘stuff’ in the small space. As we’re only likely to stay away for a night or two I don’t think a proper awning is for us but are there any easily erected shelters that can be attached to the awning rail or any other storage tips?
Any advice from experienced Cali campers on any aspect would be very much appreciated

WelshGas · Aug 24, 2026

Jeannette said:
We are the proud owners of a nearly new (ex demo), California T7.
We bought a very old but beautifully converted T4 camper couple of years back to test out if we liked ‘van life’….we discovered we loved it, (Though mainly used it as a day van), and have been looking for ages to upgrade. Finally picked up our beautiful Cali a week ago…and have already done a couple of overnighters to test her out…one in a farmers field with horses and sheep our only neighbours! it’s a revelation having air con, heating, electric windows etc!
We have watched loads of YouTube videos and we are getting to grips with everything, including getting the bed out at night and organising things and would be grateful for any advice on managing ‘stuff’ in the small space. As we’re only likely to stay away for a night or two I don’t think a proper awning is for us but are there any easily erected shelters that can be attached to the awning rail or any other storage tips?
Any advice from experienced Cali campers on any aspect would be very much appreciated

View attachment 151174

1. Get a proper tie down kit for the awning.
2. Get some 6' square nylon tarpaulins that you can tie to the awning sides as sun/wind/rain protection if needed.

Huddy · Aug 24, 2026

WelshGas said:
1. Get a proper tie down kit for the awning.
2. Get some 6' square nylon tarpaulins that you can tie to the awning sides as sun/wind/rain protection if needed.

Hi
Yes no tie down kit can be really expensive on damage to awning & your van - only takes a freak gust of wind. Best to use the Thule one as nothing should shift it then.
Driveway awnings work fine but watch for doors ripping sides as windows very sharp - best to put in manual mode with awning attached & also for when clipping on the outside table by the door. It is surprising how easy you can the switch at side of door.
We always take a Collapz toilet / shower tent which erects & dismantles in under a minute once you are used to it — it’s like an umbrella for storage
For storage it’s amazing what you can get in those cupboards - go for camping versions of air fryers , induction hob, Ridge Monkey etc - as you can note from this we tend only go for electric hook up.
We have SpaceMate, and amazing how much more storage space you acquire behind passenger seats by moving them forward - items you can put in the storage/toilet tent on arrival.
Hope this helps but took us a 3/4 months with trial & error.
When parking van & not using 2/3 days dealer advised us to put on camping mode to avoid draining main battery as leisure batteries get low.
Connecting to your home electric ensures you don’t suddenly get a warning that batteries are low.
Sorry if telling you things you already know.

Huddy · Aug 24, 2026

Did you go for the hybrid or diesel?

Jeannette · Aug 26, 2026

We have the hybrid

Dixiewixie · Aug 26, 2026

Agree with comments from others. We have the same vehicle. Spacemate is amazing for making best use of storage space - really practical.

We have the outwell awning sides.. sit in the boot chair storage when not in use but allow for better outdoor living when raining.

We’ve often used a pop up tent as well. 1 man size which takes little room in the van but means we can keep the van clear of stuff at site or as we head out n about.

As mentioned in other chats, we’ve also removed the kitchen side chair on occasion - downstairs bed still usable and now space for more storage / toilet etc..

Jeannette · Aug 27, 2026

Thanks everyone - I really appreciate all the advice...the spacemate was the first thing we ordered and it arrived a few days ago - expensive but its brilliant. We didn't have a tie down kit as we were using the Peggy peg bracket which came recommended. peggypeg.co.uk it did seem to work well once we'd worked out the correct pegs to use.
I also saw the outwell sides and the fact they fit in the chair compartment - as that comes recommended I think that will be on our list to purchase along with a pop up tent. very excited about all the adventures to come.

WelshGas · Aug 27, 2026

Jeannette said:
Thanks everyone - I really appreciate all the advice...the spacemate was the first thing we ordered and it arrived a few days ago - expensive but its brilliant. We didn't have a tie down kit as we were using the Peggy peg bracket which came recommended. peggypeg.co.uk it did seem to work well once we'd worked out the correct pegs to use.
I also saw the outwell sides and the fact they fit in the chair compartment - as that comes recommended I think that will be on our list to purchase along with a pop up tent. very excited about all the adventures to come.

Without a tie down kit then the awning cannot be properly tensioned and is susceptible to damage if the wind picks up. It’s just physics I’m afraid.

Chriskend · Aug 27, 2026

Yup, 20 quid well spent on a tie down kit

Adam8374 · Aug 31, 2026

storage solution 1:
- boxes behind the rear seats. max height 22cm and they fit under the folded backrest when making the bed. (and you stack them in two levels if bed not used). it's easily
solution 2:
- huge ikea box instead of 1 rear seat. it has an exact height 41cm so that it nicely supports the bed. ikea # 994.407.74

Tindaly · Aug 31, 2026

Yea certainly a tie down kit and we have sides and a front to attach if needed for some shelter. They are Outwell work well and simply zip over the sides of the canopy. We have had our T7 nearly a year now and love it and take one of the seats out when travelling for a
Long trip. The dog still has a seat!!! Enjoy the T7.

Norwichcamper · Aug 31, 2026

I have recently purchased these boxes for my t6, 2 smaller ones for above the rear shelf which fit in beside the dog travel crate and the larger one for below, they fit in perfectly and then fold down when you don’t need them. https://amzn.eu/d/01vDU8fB

Ayjay · Aug 31, 2026

We use a Quechua 2 Seconds 2 person pop up tent from Decathlon for storage - when we arrive at a site, putting it up is the first job first job and all the 'stuff' in the van goes into it. TBH, it takes a bit more than 2 seconds to put it up and take it down but not much more. My wife is in charge of that job and I reckon that it's about 5 minutes for her to do the up and down bits. We were camped at a site in Calais last night and there was a horrendous storm with a spell of strong gusts and torrential rain but not a drop of water got into it.