At last…we have a Cali!

[R & A]

Hello all, after quite a few years of debating, we finally picked up our first California T6.1 on Friday, Ascot Grey, 150. We live in beautiful North Wales so have quite a lot to go at on our door step. We have been teased by the neighbours for sitting in the van on the drive while we ‘find our way around’ .

Any suggestions for the top five most useful buys would be appreciated (I have bought a collapsible kettle already, couldn’t help myself ).

 

[CaliforniaSeb]

Welcome. The best advice is not to rush in. I would say 10% of what we bought we have not used.

These guys have a helpful youtube channel

They mention the Ridge Monkey. That is a must IMHO.

There is a bit of rubber that goes all along the top of the dash in the gap between the dash and windscreen. That was our single best purchase. I lost a credit card down that gap. A pain to get out.

Enjoy your camper

 

[m10chkcalifornia]

Welcome. Don’t listen to the neighbours! First thing we did was to spend two nights on the drive - getting to know how to set up and use beds, make tea, use blinds etc. All very helpful!

As for useful buys? Lots of suggestions and that video is a good start but we have found simple alternatives to many of the bespoke gadgets. For example “tie down kit”. Well a couple of lengths of nylon cord and some cheapo tent pegs work fine. “Ridge Monkey” - a small saucepan and a small frying pan works fine for us . So the only advice would be to try the simple things first. Buy less use more!

 

[Steve&Bev]

Monkey for the win & pack light.

 

[KevH]

Spend a night or two on a local campsite to get a feel for the van, and list everything that you like and that ‘could be better’.
Then search this site for reviews before throwing your money at ‘stuff’.
I poo-pooed the ridge monkey until I found that just two replaced all of our pans, one of our better buys.
Maybe focus on what helps you to sleep comfortably, to keep warm and safe and to make maximum use of all those nooks and crannies.

 

[johns6809]

Hello all, after quite a few years of debating, we finally picked up our first California T6.1 on Friday, Ascot Grey, 150. We live in beautiful North Wales so have quite a lot to go at on our door step. We have been teased by the neighbours for sitting in the van on the drive while we ‘find our way around’ .

Any suggestions for the top five most useful buys would be appreciated (I have bought a collapsible kettle already, couldn’t help myself ).

Lovely place to live. Very jealous.

 

[Cath&Stef]

Welcome and congrats!
Cath and I are the only travellers and after three years with the van, we have two tips for you...

Store things which you use together in the same place.

Don't load van cupboards like your kitchen or you'll open every drawer to make 1 cup of tea!​

e.g. We keep 2 spoons, 2 cups, tea, coffee, etc in the one place. Any additional cups, cutlery, etc are in a less accessible cupboard.​

Every tempting new 'gadget' should have at least two functions to be included. 'Me too' is not allowed!

We still travel with a notepad to list items we should include/exclude/replenish for the next trip.​

Resist the adverts and only add to your inventory when you're sure you will use the item.​

 

[Kev56]

Welcome and congrats!
Cath and I are the only travellers and after three years with the van, we have two tips for you...

Store things which you use together in the same place.

Don't load van cupboards like your kitchen or you'll open every drawer to make 1 cup of tea!​

e.g. We keep 2 spoons, 2 cups, tea, coffee, etc in the one place. Any additional cups, cutlery, etc are in a less accessible cupboard.​

Every tempting new 'gadget' should have at least two functions to be included. 'Me too' is not allowed!

We still travel with a notepad to list items we should include/exclude/replenish for the next trip.​

Resist the adverts and only add to your inventory when you're sure you will use the item.​

This. Takes a couple of trips to find what you really need. Then you’ll go and buy a load more anyway. Welcome to the Cali owners club, love it, and enjoy.

 

[Kayleigh]

Already long term owners at 31 days!!
Mine went back in that time!!

 

[2into1]

Never leave home without at least half a cupboard empty and spare. Otherwise it all descends into chaos when you get undressed for bed, and you'll end up selling it!

 

[david lee6055]

Hello all, after quite a few years of debating, we finally picked up our first California T6.1 on Friday, Ascot Grey, 150. We live in beautiful North Wales so have quite a lot to go at on our door step. We have been teased by the neighbours for sitting in the van on the drive while we ‘find our way around’ .

Any suggestions for the top five most useful buys would be appreciated (I have bought a collapsible kettle already, couldn’t help myself ).

Cadac safari chef 30 it's easily portable and great to use at home or camping,use ours every trip
Enjoy your cali

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Ninja Crispi and an Aferiy P280 power station plus 2 x 100w Solar panels from Solar Camper Solutions.

 

[Kayleigh]

Ninja Crispi and an Aferiy P280 power station plus 2 x 100w Solar panels from Solar Camper Solutions.

Is the Ninja Crispi the latest must have Cali gadget. I have been contemplating one. Any good?

 

[pchmlk]

Cadac safari chef 30 it's easily portable and great to use at home or camping,use ours every trip
Enjoy your cali

2 years since they got it.

 

[cangyroo]

2 years since they got it.

Ha ha … I wonder if they still have?

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Is the Ninja Crispi the latest must have Cali gadget. I have been contemplating one. Any good?

We think so. Just cooked chicken kebabs and potato wedges tonight. Comes with two glass cooking dishes and we just swap the cooking element / top between them. We use paper liners so very little to clean.

Last night we cooked burgers on the Cadac carry chef and the post cooking clean-up operation was a nightmare... we might have to ditch it.

 

[Kayleigh]

We think so. Just cooked chicken kebabs and potato wedges tonight. Comes with two glass cooking dishes and we just swap the cooking element / top between them. We use paper liners so very little to clean.

Last night we cooked burgers on the Cadac carry chef and the post cooking clean-up operation was a nightmare... we might have to ditch it.

Sounds like we are aligned on the Cadac. I have one but only used it once. Been boxed ever since. I really should sell it!

 

[Baldrick]

We put anything needing a dishwasher in a bag, in the boot and do it when we get home.

In the defence of the Cadac
Fatty foods are going to be more of a struggle, the lowest level of the cadac can easily have a quick wrap of foil around the inner ‘polo’ and decent kitchen towel wipes the rest clean. It gets sterilised every time it’s heated after all.
Happy Camping !

 

[Hawthorn37]

It’s funny how people immediately think about cooking when suggesting their top 5 must have items !

If you use the search function on the forum you’ll see the same question pops up very frequently. You’ll see a lot of the same answers too!

If you’re looking to travel light (without a tent awning), my suggestion would be to look at creating shelter (rain and sun) quickly. Sure you have a wind out awning, but it’s not really meant for rain. 2 ideas - a tarp type awning with adjustable poles (we have one from Debus), plus a windbreak (we have a poled one from Outwell ). You can then use the side door and stay dry, (or to keep you and van cool), make a sheltered spot for sitting and cooking, and get some privacy. Both items can be set up quickly , and take up little space.

Regards cooking appliances, we used a Campinggaz stove/bbq similar in design to a 30cm round Cadac for 4 years. It was a bit of a faff to clean, so last year we got a twin plate “2 Cook Pro 3 Deluxe “ made by Cadac. We added 2 optional cooking domes to keep fat splashes to a minimum and keep food hot. It’s a dream to cook on and easy to clean, and a neat item to pack in the boot. We have even used it at home for family gatherings to help out our Weber.