Westfalia Kelsey / Kipling

[Paul Burgess]

Hello Everyone, having sold our 6.1 Ocean earlier this year and a failed T7 purchase we’re still looking for something suitable. I went to the NEC yesterday and came across the Westfalia Kelsey. What a gorgeous looking van inside and out! Being 5.45m long (lwb Ford chassis) it’s so roomy inside and has a shower and toilet built in plus hot water! Fabulous large pop top with zip out canvas, integrated ladder, blackout lining etc. Downstairs there’s a bed which is created from the two rear travel seats and is electrically operated and 3ft wide or 4ft with slide out extra bits. A fab kitchen, two burner hob, proper fridge, webasto aux heater, 50 litre water tank, great sized table and chairs which can set up inside as a dining for 4 people. Integrated blackout blinds. All the usual goodies like heated steering wheel, active cruise control etc. 170bhp automatic 8 speed diesel. All for £72,495 at the show. What am I missing? Only downside i see is the wet belt engine although that seems to be an overblown internet sensation, and the warranty is only 3 years and limited dealers. Has anyone else experienced the Kelsey or Kipling variants by Westfalia? I’d love to know what you think. Thanks!

 

[RedWhiteMonkey]

What was your failed T7 purchase? Did you have one and not get on with it, or can you simply not find one you want?

Personally, I suspect the wet belt worry is an overblown internet sensation as you say. As long as you service and maintain the vehicle properly the chances of problem should be low. I very much believe that it is more important to buy the van that suits your own individual use case, rather than buying what is considered cool or hyped up by the internet.

 

[RedWhiteMonkey]

So a foot shorter than a T6 but with bathroom?

I suspect that is a typo, as far as I can see the Westfalia Kelsey is 5.4m (not 4.5m) long.

 

[Paul Burgess]

Sorry yes a typo, now corrected!

 

[larrylamb]

That looks a great layout that would work for me. Lovely interior. No boot space as such but having had 2 x Westy Club Jokers most issues can be sorted.
I like it has the side kitchen with decent sink and 2 burners unlike the latest Cali. (I looked at a Nugget once but the kitchen was high and to the rear making it hard to use unless the roof was up).
You can still use the kitchen and the rear "toilet" area whilst the lower bed is out. Hot water too plus a "part time" shower.
You don't need anyone's approval from here if it works for you, just bear in mind the Westfalia support in the UK is v limited so you will probably have to deal with the supplying company, make sure you aren't a million miles away.
EDIT, Have you looked at the Jules Verne model based on a Merc van? Virtually the same layout, bit shorter wheelbase, obvs will be more expensive but better than Ford.

 

[Paul Burgess]

That looks a great layout that would work for me. Lovely interior. No boot space as such but having had 2 x Westy Club Jokers most issues can be sorted.
I like it has the side kitchen with decent sink and 2 burners unlike the latest Cali. (I looked at a Nugget once but the kitchen was high and to the rear making it hard to use unless the roof was up).
You can still use the kitchen and the rear "toilet" area whilst the lower bed is out. Hot water too plus a "part time" shower.
You don't need anyone's approval from here if it works for you, just bear in mind the Westfalia support in the UK is v limited so you will probably have to deal with the supplying company, make sure you aren't a million miles away.
EDIT, Have you looked at the Jules Verne model based on a Merc van? Virtually the same layout, bit shorter wheelbase, obvs will be more expensive but better than Ford.

 

[edocali]

I love the Westy vans but did not buy one because in the end for me having a huge boot is essential. We do not like to store stuff in many small cabinets drawers. Plus occasionally we use the Cali as a van.

Boot aside, what is the height of the current Ford-based models? I think they are above 2m so that may be a prob for some car parks.

I wanted to really like the Kipling because the boot was good, but in the end the downstairs bed is not usable with the roof down.

https://westfalia-mobil.com/wp-cont...0603_kipling_interieurs3132_ohne-leiter-2.jpg

 

[larrylamb]

I love the Westy vans but did not buy one because in the end for me having a huge boot is essential. We do not like to store stuff in many small cabinets drawers. Plus occasionally we use the Cali as a van.

Boot aside, what is the height of the current Ford-based models? I think they are above 2m so that may be a prob for some car parks.

I wanted to really like the Kipling because the boot was good, but in the end the downstairs bed is not usable with the roof down.

https://westfalia-mobil.com/wp-cont...0603_kipling_interieurs3132_ohne-leiter-2.jpg

The Kelsey has the better layout imo.

 

[Jimmylondon07]

Had a good look round both today and was more taken by the Kipling I think, absolutely cracking van! Chuck the two kids in the transverse at bedtime with no setup fuss, parents can still lounge in the front space and sleep in the poptop, seats really comfortable, onboard toilet well designed to just slide away, huuuugee boot space…sorry Community but would take one of those over an Ocean in a heartbeat

Does grind my gears how slow manufacturers are being to uptake lithium and induction hobs though, I don’t want a gas hob in a small van personally.

 

[2into1]

I've looked at the Kelsey and have been tempted. I do wonder where the bedding would live for the downstairs bed (probably need a topper too), plus ramps, cables, hosepipe etc. I do like the layout Vs the t6 club joker pop top as it looks like the kitchen is sort of usable with the top down in bad weather. If they built it on the VW badged Transit it would do better

 

[Mollymoo]

A friend has the Kelsey and absolutely loves it, they use it as a day van not as a full camper in fact they have 2 top of the range electric Mercedes cars and a Tesla but prefer using the Kelsey.

 

[Paul Burgess]

A friend has the Kelsey and absolutely loves it, they use it as a day van not as a full camper in fact they have 2 top of the range electric Mercedes cars and a Tesla but prefer using the Kelsey.

Fascinating! Haven’t managed a test drive yet but the dealers all comment on how good they are to drive

 

[Polomint]

Partner quite taken with these, unfortunately I could hardly see over the steering wheel so a no go for us, we were browsing for a fixed bed which these had, shame.