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Converted transporters

JohnCalifornia

JohnCalifornia

VIP Member
Messages
367
Location
Wakefield
Vehicle
T6 Ocean 199
Hi, I’m just wondering on your thoughts on the converted transporters that are trying to be Californias. They don’t seem much cheaper than Cals and usually have mega miles. I’m assuming 90% are not registered as motor homes and thus not insured as motor homes. I am actively looking for a Cal but some of the converted vans look great……
 
I would argue that some of the best conversions by companies such as NWCC and Ecowagon are not trying to be Californias, but instead are taking the best of what the California has to offer and improving on other areas with new or alternative ideas.

These vans are often new with delivery miles only.

It's also a misunderstanding to think you need to be registered as a motor home in order to be insured as one.

Well played on keeping an open mind while shopping around, and good luck with whatever you decide to buy.
 
We owned a conversion (T5.1) for 4 years and it increased in value (lots of caveats to add about the fact that the conversion was on a 5 year old van, the price point was around £30k and the untypical state of the used market in the last couple of years contributed to that increase). I must admit though, that looking at new conversions like ours and the price - I can't imagine they will retain their value - assuming that is relevant for you.

For us it was a great introduction into camper vans and we loved it. We are currently waiting on our new Ocean though.

Typically, things to consider on conversions - bed comfort in the pop-top both in terms of sleeping surface and the space at the foot end (depends on pop-top type). Comfort for travelling in the rear - depends on the type of rock and roll bed (short seat squab, high seat height on a lot of them). Comfort travelling in the front if it is a double swivel passenger seat. All of these can be overcome I am sure - we just chose the California route to overcome them.
 
bobbybasic said:
I would argue that some of the best conversions by companies such as NWCC and Ecowagon are not trying to be Californias, but instead are taking the best of what the California has to offer and improving on other areas with new or alternative ideas.

These vans are often new with delivery miles only.

It's also a misunderstanding to think you need to be registered as a motor home in order to be insured as one.

Well played on keeping an open mind while shopping around, and good luck with whatever you decide to buy.
Click to expand...

links below:

www.newwavecustomconversions.co.uk

New Wave Custom Conversions - VW T6 and Crafter Camper Conversions

15 likes
www.newwavecustomconversions.co.uk
www.ecowagon.co.uk

Campervan Conversions South West | VW Cornwall | T6 campervans UK

Our VW Transporter T6.1 and T6 camper van conversions offer the latest technology, first class craftsmanship and luxurious interiors.
www.ecowagon.co.uk www.ecowagon.co.uk

:)
 
One of my sons and daughter in law are looking for a VW Campervan at the moment. Preference is for a California but he’s also looking at conversions. One of his prerequisites is an Auto gearbox. Interestingly, CamperKing have said they can’t get hold of base vans with auto gearboxes these days so everything they’re building is a manual.
 
GrumpyGranddad said:
One of my sons and daughter in law are looking for a VW Campervan at the moment. Preference is for a California but he’s also looking at conversions. One of his prerequisites is an Auto gearbox. Interestingly, CamperKing have said they can’t get hold of base vans with auto gearboxes these days so everything they’re building is a manual.
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I’ve also noticed that most of the vans converted are 102 BHP models. I’m assuming they could be a tad underpowered. As they are basically a van there are no creature comfort’s like heated seats and I’ve even seen the odd one with no AC. I think I’ll hold out for a Cal…….
 
JohnCalifornia said:
I’ve also noticed that most of the vans converted are 102 BHP models. I’m assuming they could be a tad underpowered. As they are basically a van there are no creature comfort’s like heated seats and I’ve even seen the odd one with no AC. I think I’ll hold out for a Cal…….
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They (did) tend to get them remapped to 140bhp (ours was from Camper King and was a 102bhp van that had a remap). It is certainly worth confirming with them as I am sure they weren't mentioning this on their site when we bought ours.
 
Ours is a converted Transporter based on a T6.1 Highline 150bhp DSG chassis. Van was brand new from SMG Croydon, converted by Cambridge Camper Vans (many other converters are available!).

For:
  • After years or Um'ing and Ah'ing, the most compelling reason was that we could commission it in January 2021 and take delivery by April, well in time for staycations in Summer '21.
  • We had a lot more choice about the interior fixtures and finishes, e.g. which type of bed, uphostery, Lithium electrics with solar, Webasto diesel heater, usual fridge, sink, gas hob, etc, etc., and could leave off what we didn't want (cooker/grill, potty, shower). The flexibility was useful as we both kite surf and needed ways to carry the kit and kaboodle (and the boards don't bend), plus a SUP or two. Externally, it sports front & rear spoiler, 20" alloys, side bars, external BBQ point, EHU and underslung water tank.
  • The sliding door ois on the passenger side of the van. I can park it and step out onto the green at UK beaches. (Important because it is also our changing room when kiting in winter).
  • All for under 54k. Even the subsequent addition of VB Air suspension didn't take it into Cali territory.
Against:
  • Is it a Cali? NO. It is like a Cali and does what a Cali does in a similar way.
  • Will it hold it's value like a Cali? Who knows? We're not selling any time soon but if we did I doubt we'd lose money in the current climate.
  • Is the intrior finish as, how can I put it, clean and tidy as a Cali? I'd say no, but it is perfectly fine and has the advantage that if anything gets damaged, it can be replaced without paying VW prices.
I'd have loved a California, but there were none to be had at the time we wanted one, and I'd have struggled with the kiteboards and the dorr on the right of the van. So we're very happy campers, but appreciate that a conversion may not suit everyone.
 
We looked at California's in 2017 when upgrading out T5 conversion. Yes the Calibis a nice vehicle but did not suit our requirements. We looked at converters up and down the country. Some, quite a few, are what I would call rubbish. And a few looked good and a very few looked excellent. We found only one that would make us almost what we wanted, something's they said they could not do. So we ended up with a new T6, 150 DSG Highline van plus extras, long wheel base, high top, hot water, plumbed in toilet, underslung LPG tank and LPG heater. We love what we have and in our opinion it out classes any California. It was not low cost. I have been offered much more for ours than we paid for it - not for sale. The customer service we have had has been nothing short of first class. If I have an issue, I phone them up I speak to the person that built the van and he talks me through the solution there and then. No waiting for some invisible person with no knowledge in a VW Commercials centre to not understand the problem or know the solution. The van came with full 3 year VW warranty and that has been extended for another 3 years - not by VW. The habitation conversion came with 3 year warranty. The converter is VW approved and their vans are crash certified. I would not purchase a California - they do not meet our needs but they are good vehicles. The converter was Autohaus in Minehead Somerset.
 
Can only really get the V5 changed to a van with windows.

Other than speed limits, I never really saw the reason to change to a motorhome & you can't now anyway. Insurance was no problem, even during conversion. I used a specialist for that year & NFU once done.

It depends what you want....some fab converters, some ropey...horses for courses
 
Plus I bought a 150 Highline as a base vehicle, so perfectly comfortable. I actually think I prefer the Transporter seats, more adjustable.

But then I also preferred the barn doors, like manual & hate the awning, so I know I have minority tastes.

And I've owned 3 now, pvc, kombi, now Cali.
 
We originally put an order in for a Cali in August last year with our friends. I think this was just before one of the price rises, got a really good price with drive the deal. Then a week later we rented a VW conversion, up to that point I felt all the conversions I had seen were very poor quality, especially on the bits where the wall reached the floor etc. The rental was converted by Camperversions, we ended up going to their showroom in Blackburn.
Unfortunately we then cancelled our California order and purchased a 1 year old already converted for 50k with all the options we wanted.

I do think things on the Calli are better, e.g headlights, digital cockpit.

If the Calli would have been ready immediately and was a bit cheaper I think we would have stuck with it.

Our friends are still waiting for theirs but I don’t think it’s far off.

The adventures we have had with the kids though have been amazing so either way a conversion or a Cali we wouldn’t go back in time and change anything.

Sorry long post :)
 
Jay586 said:
Plus I bought a 150 Highline as a base vehicle, so perfectly comfortable. I actually think I prefer the Transporter seats, more adjustable.

But then I also preferred the barn doors, like manual & hate the awning, so I know I have minority tastes.

And I've owned 3 now, pvc, kombi, now Cali.
Click to expand...
Barn doors would be my preference! The hatch is a bugger to close if you are short, like my partner.
 
We looked at a Camper King conversion from Winchester caravans before buying our Cali. The Cali was less money with longer warranty, more options and only 300 or so more miles on the clock. Both had one owner on the V5.
 
The main problem with Transporter based Campervans, is there is only one conversion/manufacturer of the California - VW.
However, Transporter converters are very numerous from the 1 man band to large companies, using clapped out builders vans to brand new Transporter based vehicles.
A top of the range conversion on a brand new vehicle with options comparable to a California will be very similar in price if not more. The quality can be excellent and the conversion bespoke, personal to you.
Depreciation on the California is better than on a Transporter which is better than other comparable vehicles.
Depreciation on a conversion, even a top of the range, will be greater than on a California because it is basically a van converted by a 3rd party, unlike the California, built from scratch by VW.
Are Conversions better than a California, No, but there are some that are comparable but they are unlikely to be cheaper.

If you want a LWB vehicle then you have no option but a conversion and if you opt for a new vehicle conversion from a top converter then you’ll probably be paying more compared with a SWB California but you will have more facilities.
 
I was on the point of ordering a conversion from all seasons leisure before deciding to join the queue for a California. The main reason was uncertainty about the precise specification of the base vehicle versus the Cali. I’ve had a second hand T4 basic conversion in the past which was incredible value and this didn’t drop after 5 years and 57K miles (but suspect this was because it was a real bargain when I brought it). Not really fair to compare the two. If you are confident the base vehicle has everything you want then some conversions look pretty impressive. If you want to be certain the base vehicle is high specification + everything in the van is covered by a VW warranty then a California is the way to go (had my Coast since June and delighted with it).
 
Everything is expensive at the moment but there seems to be a glut of expensive new conversions and talking to a motorhome dealer the other day they have revised what they are paying for conversions as they believe the bubble has or is about to burst for converted vans. On a personnel note I commissioned a van conversion 5 years ago on a 6 month old VW T6 LWB with an expensive Hilo roof. The whole thing cost me about 32k and I sold it a year later for 35k. The new Cali we bought a year later was head and shoulders over the van conversion and felt like a posh room in a luxury hotel.
 
The big issue with conversions are that they don’t have a brand. Without a brand the value is highly subjective as they can’t be compared easily with other vans available for sale. a 2020 Cali Ocean can be compared with all other Cali vans.

I’m positive that some of these vans are amazing, but if a bulb blows, cupboard breaks, tap stops working, bed malfunctions who do you go to for a replacement?
 
Last edited:
The Tall Luthier said:
The big issue with conversions are that they don’t have a brand. Without a brand the value is highly subjective as they can’t be compared easily with other vans available for sale. a 2020 Cali Ocean can be compared with all other Cali vans.

I’m positive that some of these vans are amazing, but if a bulb blows who do you go to for a replacement?
Click to expand...
Easy. You fix it yourself as many would with a California!
 
JohnCalifornia said:
Hi, I’m just wondering on your thoughts on the converted transporters that are trying to be Californias. They don’t seem much cheaper than Cals and usually have mega miles. I’m assuming 90% are not registered as motor homes and thus not insured as motor homes. I am actively looking for a Cal but some of the converted vans look great……
Click to expand...
We were considering a California three years ago but the long standing issue with the roof blistering put us off.

A vehicle upwards of £60k really shouldn't have these kinds of problems.

We opted for a low mileage Kombi in good condition from a VW dealer and had after a lot of careful research, had it converted to our specification with a Cali bed on rails and Reimo roof. It also has quality built in blinds and fly screens, something I believe isn't available on the California.
 
RevJames said:
We were considering a California three years ago but the long standing issue with the roof blistering put us off.

A vehicle upwards of £60k really shouldn't have these kinds of problems.

We opted for a low mileage Kombi in good condition from a VW dealer and had after a lot of careful research, had it converted to our specification with a Cali bed on rails and Reimo roof. It also has quality built in blinds and fly screens, something I believe isn't available on the California.
Click to expand...
Flyscreens are available as well as aftermarket Midge Screens for the California.
 
The Tall Luthier said:
The big issue with conversions are that they don’t have a brand. Without a brand the value is highly subjective as they can’t be compared easily with other vans available for sale. a 2020 Cali Ocean can be compared with all other Cali vans.

I’m positive that some of these vans are amazing, but if a bulb blows, cupboard breaks, tap stops working, bed malfunctions who do you go to for a replacement?
Click to expand...
I’m not sure I was ever happy taking my California to VW with anything other than mechanical issues (even then not happy). Being told by them that they would need to remove the kitchen and wardrobe to look for a window leak didn’t inspire confidence! And they didn’t need to! At least with a conversion company you can probably talk to the bloke that built the van and get first hand knowledge.
 
ArunAlec said:
I’m not sure I was ever happy taking my California to VW with anything other than mechanical issues (even then not happy). Being told by them that they would need to remove the kitchen and wardrobe to look for a window leak didn’t inspire confidence! And they didn’t need to! At least with a conversion company you can probably talk to the bloke that built the van and get first hand knowledge.
Click to expand...
Spot on. As I have said here, some conversions are good, quits a few are dreadful and a handful are exceptional. In my case I could not be happier, especially with the after sales service. Any questions I call up my converter and in the vast majority of cases I get an answer there and then. None of this, bring it in we will have a look and it will cost £75 whatever. If the issue is a small easily fitted part they put it in the post. If they need the vehicle, only been twice and both while under warranty, they give me an appointment that is no more than two or three days away. I agree with Arun.
 
ArunAlec said:
I’m not sure I was ever happy taking my California to VW with anything other than mechanical issues (even then not happy). Being told by them that they would need to remove the kitchen and wardrobe to look for a window leak didn’t inspire confidence! And they didn’t need to! At least with a conversion company you can probably talk to the bloke that built the van and get first hand knowledge.
Click to expand...
I think the point is that Calis don't result in responsibility ping-pong with VW and the conversion company pointing the finger at each other. Obviously, there are good and bad conversion companies so milage will vary, but with a Cali it is just VW in the loop.
 
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