Early research

lippy10 · May 2, 2021

Hi
It’s early days yet but I’m starting to look for a late California Ocean.
I’m not in a mad rush as I am having the drive extended/widened later in the year to accommodate a VW.
The plan is to retire in 2 years in our mid 50’s and enjoy some time touring.
we previously had a Hobby motor home and loved it, but now want something more practical that can be more easily driven around towns.
ATB

AlisonF · May 2, 2021

Welcome to the forum. At the moment many people on the forum seem to be suggesting new spec as similar in price to a nearly new. So if you have the time, maybe order the spec you want and then sit back and wait?

lippy10 · May 2, 2021

Thank you

SusiBus · May 2, 2021

Wish I'd decided to retire in my mid 50''s, and enjoyed Cali life. Now in my mid 70's, and in the middle of have both knees replaced, l'm having trouble having sleepless nights in a kingsize bed. Just don't fancy doing it in the at the Cali at the moment. Still as Tony said " lt can only get better "
Enjoy looking forward for a life on the road. The Cali is the way forward.

Perfectos · May 2, 2021

Lippy

Yorkieboi · May 2, 2021

My wife and I have decided to do more staycation than vacation. We are 60's and retired. We have a Cali on order, hope to get it July/August. Our focus, in preparation for OAPvanlife is to decide how to sleep comfortably, manage the toilet at night, and how much beer, wine and cheese will fit in the fridge. Our specification choices are driven by feature and functionality, and not aesthetics. We plan to avoid wild-camping, grass pitches, and winter travel, so no need for 4WD, solar, tow-bar, etc. Cali will also be an everyday car for hill walks and shopping trips. We'll get some foldable eBikes for exercise and exploration, and fit into the boot. Got to do it now, the clocks ticking.

lippy10 · May 2, 2021

Yorkieboi

sounds similar to what we are looking to do.
It would be great to hear how you get on.
I’m sure we can pick up
Some early Tips on how to maximise the enjoyment of a Cali

IainB · May 2, 2021

to the club.

Lots of useful information on the forums and great advice available from members.

Yorkieboi · May 2, 2021

IainB; thanks. We will steal with glee, and contribute when/where appropriate.

Karlos · May 3, 2021

Yorkieboi said:
My wife and I have decided to do more staycation than vacation. We are 60's and retired. We have a Cali on order, hope to get it July/August. Our focus, in preparation for OAPvanlife is to decide how to sleep comfortably, manage the toilet at night, and how much beer, wine and cheese will fit in the fridge. Our specification choices are driven by feature and functionality, and not aesthetics. We plan to avoid wild-camping, grass pitches, and winter travel, so no need for 4WD, solar, tow-bar, etc. Cali will also be an everyday car for hill walks and shopping trips. We'll get some foldable eBikes for exercise and exploration, and fit into the boot. Got to do it now, the clocks ticking.

We always have a second 12/240v fridge box stored behind the drivers seat to increase capacity. Enjoy your Cali when it arrives.

Karlos · May 3, 2021

Lippy

B J G · May 3, 2021

lippy10 said:
Hi
It’s early days yet but I’m starting to look for a late California Ocean.
I’m not in a mad rush as I am having the drive extended/widened later in the year to accommodate a VW.
The plan is to retire in 2 years in our mid 50’s and enjoy some time touring.
we previously had a Hobby motor home and loved it, but now want something more practical that can be more easily driven around towns.
ATB

Might be worth asking if anyone on here is intending to replace their Cali in the next year and possibly doing a deal for when it becomes available.

New order now looking like being a 2022 delivery for 'normal spec'

66tim99 · May 3, 2021

Yorkieboi said:
My wife and I have decided to do more staycation than vacation. We are 60's and retired. We have a Cali on order, hope to get it July/August. Our focus, in preparation for OAPvanlife is to decide how to sleep comfortably, manage the toilet at night, and how much beer, wine and cheese will fit in the fridge. Our specification choices are driven by feature and functionality, and not aesthetics. We plan to avoid wild-camping, grass pitches, and winter travel, so no need for 4WD, solar, tow-bar, etc. Cali will also be an everyday car for hill walks and shopping trips. We'll get some foldable eBikes for exercise and exploration, and fit into the boot. Got to do it now, the clocks ticking.

If you’re going to take bikes with you, a tow bar is a good option -
Access to the tailgate easier without unloading bikes, better view out the back with bikes on, easier to leave the rack at home when you don’t need it...

Borris · May 3, 2021

Yorkieboi said:
My wife and I have decided to do more staycation than vacation. We are 60's and retired. We have a Cali on order, hope to get it July/August. Our focus, in preparation for OAPvanlife is to decide how to sleep comfortably, manage the toilet at night, and how much beer, wine and cheese will fit in the fridge. Our specification choices are driven by feature and functionality, and not aesthetics. We plan to avoid wild-camping, grass pitches, and winter travel, so no need for 4WD, solar, tow-bar, etc. Cali will also be an everyday car for hill walks and shopping trips. We'll get some foldable eBikes for exercise and exploration, and fit into the boot. Got to do it now, the clocks ticking.

Hello Yorkieboi,
We are also in are 60's and retired. We wild camp occasionally. The trick is to arrive late and leave early and don't cause anyone any inconvenience. It's great when doing long distances when you don't want to pin yourselves down to stopping at a particular campsite.

We've had 1 x 4 Motion and 2 x fwd Calis so far and never been stuck on a grass pitch. We use our Cali all year round, when it's been permitted and have camped in it in sub zero temperatures. We have never been cold.

Solar is very useful if going off grid. However we have never had it......yet. You can go two or three days without connecting to an EHU so we make sure we do the odd night on a campsite to recharge.

We also bought a pair of expensive Brompton fold up bikes with the same intention as you. Mrs B couldn't get on with hers at all. So reluctantly I had to sell them. So try to find a bike shop that will let you take them for a prolonged test drive first.

Finally the Cali is a superb vehicle for exploring as it is no bigger than many cars.

Good luck.

lippy10 · May 3, 2021

Borris said:
Hello Yorkieboi,
We are also in are 60's and retired. We wild camp occasionally. The trick is to arrive late and leave early and don't cause anyone any inconvenience. It's great when doing long distances when you don't want to pin yourselves down to stopping at a particular campsite.

We've had 1 x 4 Motion and 2 x fwd Calis so far and never been stuck on a grass pitch. We use our Cali all year round, when it's been permitted and have camped in it in sub zero temperatures. We have never been cold.

Solar is very useful if going off grid. However we have never had it......yet. You can go two or three days without connecting to an EHU so we make sure we do the odd night on a campsite to recharge.

We also bought a pair of expensive Brompton fold up bikes with the same intention as you. Mrs B couldn't get on with hers at all. So reluctantly I had to sell them. So try to find a bike shop that will let you take them for a prolonged test drive first.

Finally the Cali is a superb vehicle for exploring as it is no bigger than many cars.

Good luck.

Thanks. The electric bike idea sounds a good one- Getting the Wife on test drive 1st makes sense!!

Yorkieboi · May 3, 2021

Borris said:
Hello Yorkieboi,
We are also in are 60's and retired. We wild camp occasionally. The trick is to arrive late and leave early and don't cause anyone any inconvenience. It's great when doing long distances when you don't want to pin yourselves down to stopping at a particular campsite.

We've had 1 x 4 Motion and 2 x fwd Calis so far and never been stuck on a grass pitch. We use our Cali all year round, when it's been permitted and have camped in it in sub zero temperatures. We have never been cold.

Solar is very useful if going off grid. However we have never had it......yet. You can go two or three days without connecting to an EHU so we make sure we do the odd night on a campsite to recharge.

We also bought a pair of expensive Brompton fold up bikes with the same intention as you. Mrs B couldn't get on with hers at all. So reluctantly I had to sell them. So try to find a bike shop that will let you take them for a prolonged test drive first.

Finally the Cali is a superb vehicle for exploring as it is no bigger than many cars.

Good luck.

Thanks for that.

Yorkieboi · May 3, 2021

66tim99 said:
If you’re going to take bikes with you, a tow bar is a good option -
Access to the tailgate easier without unloading bikes, better view out the back with bikes on, easier to leave the rack at home when you don’t need it...

Thanks for that. I thought I'd read somewhere that the tailgate bike carrier doesn't have the capacity due the the weight of eBikes, and we haven't spect'd a tow-bar.

66tim99 · May 3, 2021

Yorkieboi said:
Thanks for that. I thought I'd read somewhere that the tailgate bike carrier doesn't have the capacity due the the weight of eBikes, and we haven't spect'd a tow-bar.

Could you add a tow bar? If not, aftermarket aren’t much more...
Maybe folding e-bikes will suit you, but they will take up a lot of inside space.

Kernowboy · May 3, 2021

66tim99 said:
Could you add a tow bar? If not, aftermarket aren’t much more...

Actually cheaper after market. Nuts.

SusiBus · May 3, 2021

We've just had a Brompton electric bike to test, as a result have now placed an order for two. Like the Cali over priced, but they tick a lot of the boxes as bikes to take in a Cali. Good residuals like a Cali if you don't get on with them as well.

66tim99 · May 3, 2021

Kernowboy said:
Actually cheaper after market. Nuts.

Eurovans suggested I could delete the factory tow bar to bump me up the build queue (tow bar supply shortage). They would fit one at the dealer (tow bar supply shortage?) but it would cost a bit more.

Kernowboy · May 3, 2021

66tim99 said:
Eurovans suggested I could delete the factory tow bar to bump me up the build queue (tow bar supply shortage). They would fit one at the dealer (tow bar supply shortage?) but it would cost a bit more.

Had similar conversation; dealer said they can do them but generally don’t as cost is high due to them having to run the electrics behind the wardrobe/fridge etc. They generally send them to the guy round the corner who fits the OEM bar and electrics; I expect the electrics are run under rather than through the van, and you’re not paying VW labour charges. Just over £600 incl. vat. If all things else were equal I would go with the factory fit, but there’s a question mark over the Westfalia nose weight rating for a bike rack so opportunity to fit a different brand, and obviously the reported delays for factory fit.

Seems crazy that the dealer or after market fitter can get hold of a towbar and electrics but the VW factory, just down the road from the towbar factory, can’t :headbang