Preparing for winter !

Skiver · Sep 6, 2022

Took my time to decide, but eventually fitted Crossclimate 2’s and an Isotop in preparation for travelling to Porto via Bordeaux and Sant Sebastian this Nov.

Any other recommendations?

Ocean Spirit · Sep 6, 2022

2 popular choices there across members on this forum..
You know I really did not want to splash the cash for an Isotop and it still frightens me to look at the cost but now I wouldn't have upstairs any other way.
And the cross climates are a solid choice, I think my Cali came with Turunza's and when I needed to change them I got the cross climates which appear more hard wearing, just as quiet and of course the extra season confidence.

Georgeo · Sep 6, 2022

Skiver said:
Took my time to decide, but eventually fitted Crossclimate 2’s and an Isotop in preparation for travelling to Porto via Bordeaux and Sant Sebastian this Nov.

Any other recommendations?

View attachment 98899 View attachment 98900

Is that the 16 inch Clayton wheel. Do you have the full spec for the tyre I.e load and speed rating ? I get very confused when looking at these whether the suv will be ok or a higher load rating is needed.

Skiver · Sep 6, 2022

Ocean Spirit said:
2 popular choices there across members on this forum..
You know I really did not want to splash the cash for an Isotop and it still frightens me to look at the cost but I wouldn't have upstairs any other way.
And the cross climates are a solid choice, I think my Cali came with Turunza's and when I needed to change them I got the cross climates which apparently more hard wearing, just as quiet and of course the extra season confidence.

Add a few extras and the costs soon mount up !!

66tim99 · Sep 6, 2022

Ocean Spirit said:
I wouldn't have upstairs any other way.

I haven't been out of the country yet during winter and have found a good sleeping bag and the heater to be more than adequate in staying warm upstairs in around +3 degrees over night.
2 reasons why I haven't taken the plunge on an isotop yet are the price and the lack of space in the roof area with the storage net only just able to fit with the roof down and the shutter closed. I presume I would have to ditch that?
Why do you rate your isotop so highly?

Skiver · Sep 6, 2022

Georgeo said:
Is that the 16 inch Clayton wheel. Do you have the full spec for the tyre I.e load and speed rating ? I get very confused when looking at these whether the suv will be ok or a higher load rating is needed.

No they are standard fit 17J Aracaju alloys. With 235/55 r17 Y (103) on. I probably should have gone for the SUV’s but both choices seem fine for my use. Y is well over spec’d but 103 is the right load rating and 235/55 are practically the same rolling circumference as the Bridgestone 215/60’s that came off. On offer at black circles too as it was the middle of the summer when I bought them

Skiver · Sep 6, 2022

66tim99 said:
I haven't been out of the country yet during winter and have found a good sleeping bag and the heater to be more than adequate in staying warm upstairs in around +3 degrees over night.
2 reasons why I haven't taken the plunge on an isotop yet are the price and the lack of space in the roof area with the storage net only just able to fit with the roof down and the shutter closed. I presume I would have to ditch that?
Why do you rate your isotop so highly?

Too early to tell but happy so far. It’s a very tight fit and with the 6.1 you have to remove the front panel to close the roof. Hoping it will be cooler in the summer too.

We don’t use the storage net BTW.

Ocean Spirit · Sep 6, 2022

@66tim99
Skiver has answered a bit for you that I can't (Mine is on a T6) but as for rating it.
I fitted it on a very warm day in august a few years ago maybe 23 degrees plus and I was perspiring shall we say. When I was attaching the lining to the velcro on got the first side which happened to be facing the sun....WHAMO!!!!
Instantly there was a cooling effect that felt worth 3 degrees or so to me. So I fell in love with its capability not being a gimmick straight away. Yes your milage will vary because I'd not bee cold up top either but I did wrestle often times with wether to turn up the heater or even turn the heater on.
So I think the air gap and the reflective side do a good job (remembering its still effectively a tent on top of a van though) I don't want to give the impression its turned it into a climate controlled hotel.
It's darker at night and at sunrise and a cosy ambiance to the material which is way softer than the VW lining.
It's not essential but it is a nice bit of luxury.

kurienp · Sep 6, 2022

66tim99 said:
I haven't been out of the country yet during winter and have found a good sleeping bag and the heater to be more than adequate in staying warm upstairs in around +3 degrees over night.

I will agree. Though, with such a large bed, would like to stretch out a bit more and did not want to change my excellent mummy sleeping bag.

66tim99 said:
2 reasons why I haven't taken the plunge on an isotop yet are the price and the lack of space in the roof area with the storage net only just able to fit with the roof down and the shutter closed. I presume I would have to ditch that?
Why do you rate your isotop so highly?

For me, with a T6, there is sufficient space to in the roof. I am sure that it should be able to accommodate the storage net, if you take it off and lay it laterally, rather than closing the roof with the net in place - a hassle I know, but it is possible.

The reason why I would rate the isotop highly:
1. It keeps the popup area cool in summer and warm in the winter
2. It prevents any rain from wicking on to the bed, if we were to have heavy rain
3. Keeps the area dark in early morning summer, helping to have a longer sleep
4. Slightly reduces noise levels inside the popup roof.

M88GAV · Sep 6, 2022

66tim99 said:
I haven't been out of the country yet during winter and have found a good sleeping bag and the heater to be more than adequate in staying warm upstairs in around +3 degrees over night.
2 reasons why I haven't taken the plunge on an isotop yet are the price and the lack of space in the roof area with the storage net only just able to fit with the roof down and the shutter closed. I presume I would have to ditch that?
Why do you rate your isotop so highly?

I think I replied to a post of yours before (not 100% sure) but you can close the shutter with an isotop and the storage net in place :thumb

Vagophile · Sep 7, 2022

Elsewhere on the forum you will find that you need to consider changing to winter air in those Crossclimates.

kurienp · Sep 7, 2022

Vagophile said:
Elsewhere on the forum you will find that you need to consider changing to winter air in those Crossclimates.

End Sept is the recommended time, but with the change in general climate pattern, not sure if there is a change in schedule and specification on the Winter air ...

... grab coat and off to search for the Winter Air thread ...

Ocean Spirit · Sep 7, 2022

Vagophile said:
Elsewhere on the forum you will find that you need to consider changing to winter air in those Crossclimates.

Nooooooooooo not again.

WelshGas · Sep 7, 2022

kurienp said:
End Sept is the recommended time, but with the change in general climate pattern, not sure if there is a change in schedule and specification on the Winter air ...

... grab coat and off to search for the Winter Air thread ...

Winter Air in the North ++, but in the South of France/Spain ??

ardm17 · Sep 7, 2022

Just pop your tyre pump in the freezer for a couple of hours before topping up your tyres ..

Perfectos · Sep 7, 2022

kurienp said:
End Sept is the recommended time, but with the change in general climate pattern, not sure if there is a change in schedule and specification on the Winter air ...

... grab coat and off to search for the Winter Air thread

winter air

What is the best winter air to put in my tyres now its getting colder?

vwcaliforniaclub.com

kurienp · Sep 7, 2022

ardm17 said:
Just pop your tyre pump in the freezer for a couple of hours before topping up your tyres ..

Now that is the first time I have heard that. I think we need to definitely pop this into the winter air thread - just to preserve our suggestions for future generations!

Perfectos said:
winter air

What is the best winter air to put in my tyres now its getting colder?

vwcaliforniaclub.com

@ardm17 , are you able to update the above thread with your suggestion please.

ardm17 · Sep 7, 2022

But will the new energy price cap result in controlling the rate of inflation this winter? :Iamsorry

ardm17 · Sep 7, 2022

kurienp said:
Now that is the first time I have heard that. I think we need to definitely pop this into the winter air thread - just to preserve our suggestions for future generations!

@ardm17 , are you able to update the above thread with your suggestion please.

Done.

Perfectos · Sep 7, 2022

Cleaned out the front wheel arch liners:

willwander · Sep 7, 2022

Perfectos said:
Cleaned out the front wheel arch liners:

View attachment 98925

View attachment 98926

View attachment 98927

Plenty.

kurienp · Sep 7, 2022

Perfectos said:
Cleaned out the front wheel arch liners:

View attachment 98925

View attachment 98926

View attachment 98927

How many years is that? (to help me plan my maintenance clean as well :Nailbiting

)

Perfectos · Sep 7, 2022

kurienp said:
How many years is that? (to help me plan my maintenance clean as well )

That is since last year,
remember that as well as the wheel arch liner being subject to the crud thrown up off the front wheel, it is also the drain point from the scuttle which the roof drains into.
the scuttle collects anything that falls through the slots in the scuttle cover and if you’re lucky get washed into the wheel arch liner.
i also cleaned out the scuttle, removed the panel, there was at least three handfuls of rotting debris in each side recess, which was surprisingly wet despite no rain.

edit, I suggest doing this every year at least , the wheel arch liner is one torx screw either side, pull the plastic liner away from the wheel arch, scrape out the accumulated crud, wash the metal wheel arch with a sponge refit screw = simples

(turning the wheels to allow access: make sure the engine is running before trying to turn the steering wheel when stationary)

the scuttle panel requires the removal of both wiper blades & a couple of nuts and the bonnet rubber seal simply pops off allow access into the scuttle area to get your hand in to remove the crud, wash the scuttle area check the drains to the wheel arch are not blocked and refit the scuttle panel , wipers and rubber seal = simples

:thumb

kurienp · Sep 7, 2022

Perfectos said:
That is since last year,
remember that as well as the wheel arch liner being subject to the crud thrown up off the front wheel, it is also the drain point from the scuttle which the roof drains into.
the scuttle collects anything that falls through the slots in the scuttle cover and if your lucky get washed into the wheel arch liner.
i also cleaned out the scuttle, removed the panel, there was at least three handfuls of rotting debris in each side recess, which was surprisingly wet despite no rain.

Time for a user manual then?

Perfectos · Sep 7, 2022

kurienp said:
Time for a user manual then?

Updated my post

Preparing for winter !

Skiver

Ocean Spirit

Eating Ice Cream, skimming stones.

Georgeo

Skiver

66tim99

Skiver

Skiver

Ocean Spirit

Eating Ice Cream, skimming stones.

kurienp

M88GAV

Vagophile

kurienp

Ocean Spirit

Eating Ice Cream, skimming stones.

WelshGas

Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.

ardm17

Perfectos