New Cali being collected next week

Paul G - 2022 Ocean · Jul 28, 2022

Hi All,
I apologise if this has probably been posted many times, but we are collecting our new Cali next week, and having been without a camper for a year, and not been actively camping since before covid, we now revert to newbie status have to start buying all the necessary accessories. We still have most things from the old camper such as ridgemonkey, awning, cooking equipment etc, but having not been camping for over 3 years in a van we don’t know how campsites have adapted over this time in terms of EHU provision, so my question is, what is the optimum length of EHU cable that most of you find to be best? And 1.5mm or 2.5mm?
Also are there any other essentials that we should buy for a new Cali such as spare wheel lock, seat covers etc? We also ordered the extended comfort mattress, do you find this is sufficient? Thanks in anticipation.

Perfectos · Jul 28, 2022

Paul Green said:
Hi All,
I apologise if this has probably been posted many times, but we are collecting our new Cali next week, and having been without a camper for a year, and not been actively camping since before covid, we now revert to newbie status have to start buying all the necessary accessories. We still have most things from the old camper such as ridgemonkey, awning, cooking equipment etc, but having not been camping for over 3 years in a van we don’t know how campsites have adapted over this time in terms of EHU provision, so my question is, what is the optimum length of EHU cable that most of you find to be best? And 1.5mm or 2.5mm?
Also are there any other essentials that we should buy for a new Cali such as spare wheel lock, seat covers etc? We also ordered the extended comfort mattress, do you find this is sufficient? Thanks in anticipation.

Optimum set up for EHU lead is 25m total length
1nr 15m length
1nr 10m length

2.5mm is a better cable (less loss)

dspuk · Jul 28, 2022

This is our list but this recent thread has plenty of advice.

Post in thread 'New van shopping list'
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/new-van-shopping-list.45501/post-593353

Hawthorn37 · Jul 28, 2022

Paul Green said:
Hi All,
I apologise if this has probably been posted many times, but we are collecting our new Cali next week, and having been without a camper for a year, and not been actively camping since before covid, we now revert to newbie status have to start buying all the necessary accessories. We still have most things from the old camper such as ridgemonkey, awning, cooking equipment etc, but having not been camping for over 3 years in a van we don’t know how campsites have adapted over this time in terms of EHU provision, so my question is, what is the optimum length of EHU cable that most of you find to be best? And 1.5mm or 2.5mm?
Also are there any other essentials that we should buy for a new Cali such as spare wheel lock, seat covers etc? We also ordered the extended comfort mattress, do you find this is sufficient? Thanks in anticipation.

I don’t think you’ll find much change in 3 years, given that most sites have been back peddling for 2 years during covid. But that’s one thing to prep for, all the Covid signs are there, and you might find some facilities are better as a result. You will find that costs are up though :-(
For your hook up, I’d go for 25m in one cable. The extra plug and socket for splitting the length are not worth the space needed IMO.
Seat covers are (for us) essential as we didn’t go for the seat upgrade, so we have stupidly light grey fabric. We’ve just got the VW black nylon covers, but to be fair they’re not bad, and cope with the occasional trip with our Sons dog, and winter walks.

Good luck with your camping re-launch !!

Paul G - 2022 Ocean · Jul 28, 2022

dspuk said:
This is our list but this recent thread has plenty of advice.

Post in thread 'New van shopping list'
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/new-van-shopping-list.45501/post-593353

Thanks. This was the thread I had read recently and was looking for

Paul G - 2022 Ocean · Jul 28, 2022

Hawthorn37 said:
I don’t think you’ll find much change in 3 years, given that most sites have been back peddling for 2 years during covid. But that’s one thing to prep for, all the Covid signs are there, and you might find some facilities are better as a result. You will find that costs are up though :-(
For your hook up, I’d go for 25m in one cable. The extra plug and socket for splitting the length are worth the space needed IMO.
Seat covers are (for us) essential as we didn’t go for the seat upgrade, so we have stupidly light grey fabric. We’ve just got the VW black nylon covers, but to be fair they’re not bad, and cope with the occasional trip with our Sons dog, and winter walks.

Good luck with your camping re-launch !!

Thanks. Yes was considering splitting the cable but think it may be too much of a faff as you’d still need to carry both to cover all eventualities. The last one we had we gave away with the last camper we sold and can’t remember how long it was. Think it was 15m and got caught out once or twice. We’ve only got standard seats and have three small dogs too so thinking how we protect them. Was thinking of fleece throw blankets but may need something more permanent.

Hawthorn37 · Jul 28, 2022

Paul Green said:
Thanks. Yes was considering splitting the cable but think it may be too much of a faff as you’d still need to carry both to cover all eventualities. The last one we had we gave away with the last camper we sold and can’t remember how long it was. Think it was 15m and got caught out once or twice. We’ve only got standard seats and have three small dogs too so thinking how we protect them. Was thinking of fleece throw blankets but may need something more permanent.

We’ve been on a few sites where we’ve deployed all 25m of cable to neatly go round the boundary of the pitch. We got a zippered bag this year which keeps it all together, and stow it in the shelf above the Gaz bottle.

Seat covers - We looked at Inka etc., but at the time everything was on long or indefinite delivery. The van centre we bought from offered VW ones as part of the deal, and it was rude to refuse. They take about an hour to fit, and 10 minutes to remove, and are waterproof so they meet our needs.

66tim99 · Jul 29, 2022

Paul Green said:
Hi All,
I apologise if this has probably been posted many times, but we are collecting our new Cali next week, and having been without a camper for a year, and not been actively camping since before covid, we now revert to newbie status have to start buying all the necessary accessories. We still have most things from the old camper such as ridgemonkey, awning, cooking equipment etc, but having not been camping for over 3 years in a van we don’t know how campsites have adapted over this time in terms of EHU provision, so my question is, what is the optimum length of EHU cable that most of you find to be best? And 1.5mm or 2.5mm?
Also are there any other essentials that we should buy for a new Cali such as spare wheel lock, seat covers etc? We also ordered the extended comfort mattress, do you find this is sufficient? Thanks in anticipation.

I recommend a single 25m cable on a reel like this, with its bag so it can be put away wet.
I also really recommend the Thule sun shade. Gives a bit of privacy, is quick to set up on either side of the van (can shade the fridge or your unpacked gear on the other side), and takes up very little space when packed.

BugglePopples · Jul 29, 2022

66tim99 said:
I recommend a single 25m cable on a reel like this, with its bag so it can be put away wet.
I also really recommend the Thule sun shade. Gives a bit of privacy, is quick to set up on either side of the van (can shade the fridge or your unpacked gear on the other side), and takes up very little space when packed.
View attachment 96888

Will the Thule sun shade give shelter from a bit of drizzle?

I’ve been looking at this one because you can see through it?

66tim99 · Jul 29, 2022

BugglePopples said:
Will the Thule sun shade give shelter from a bit of drizzle?

I’ve been looking at this one because you can see through it?

It will yes, it’s a fairly fine mesh. And it acts as a wind break and an awning tie down.
You can see out through it, sitting under the shade, which is a big bonus offsetting the fact it can’t be waterproof, but it’s harder to see in towards the van if the sun is out, which is good for privacy.
I’m short: it’s brilliant

The Broomwagon · Jul 29, 2022

66tim99 said:
It will yes, it’s a fairly fine mesh. And it acts as a wind break and an awning tie down.
You can see out through it, sitting under the shade, which is a big bonus offsetting the fact it can’t be waterproof, but it’s harder to see in towards the van if the sun is out.m, which is good for privacy.
I’m short: it’s brilliant

I take it you went for the 2.4m version?

jonr71 · Jul 29, 2022

66tim99 said:
It will yes, it’s a fairly fine mesh. And it acts as a wind break and an awning tie down.
You can see out through it, sitting under the shade, which is a big bonus offsetting the fact it can’t be waterproof, but it’s harder to see in towards the van if the sun is out.m, which is good for privacy.
I’m short: it’s brilliant

I just bought this but havn't used it yet. I hadn't thought of using it to protect the fridge and other things on the passenger side of the van. It also has the benefit of folding up and easily fitting in one of the chairs.

The instructions show it being used as a sun shade or a rain protector - pegged out as in your picture as a sun shade and hanging vertically as a rain protector. I wouldn't be 100% effective, but good enough for most situations.