Buy all your VW California Accessories at the Club Shop Visit Shop

Additional Drawer & Child Safe Net

JuanVecino2023

JuanVecino2023

VIP Member
Messages
681
Location
Minchinhampton
Vehicle
T6.1 Ocean 150
I’ve specced the child safe net & additional drawer on the Ocean we have on order.

Our toddler is pretty sensible and we didn’t use any netting on the rentals we’ve had. So that part seems superfluous.

Is the drawer the big one under the seat / is that not standard?

If so is it possible to live without it?
 
JuanVecino2023 said:
I’ve specced the child safe net & additional drawer on the Ocean we have on order.

Our toddler is pretty sensible and we didn’t use any netting on the rentals we’ve had. So that part seems superfluous.

Is the drawer the big one under the seat / is that not standard?

If so is it possible to live without it?
Click to expand...
No - its the little draw about 15cm wide that fits alongside the big draw.
 
andyinluton said:
No - its the little draw about 15cm wide that fits alongside the big draw.
Click to expand...
Hi Andy, thanks for replying. Is this worth having?

Are there cheaper aftermarket alternatives?

It seems an expensive option for a net I’ll never use!
 
JuanVecino2023 said:
Hi Andy, thanks for replying. Is this worth having?

Are there cheaper aftermarket alternatives?

It seems an expensive option for a net I’ll never use!
Click to expand...
The net is not the child safe net - that comes as standard.

The net is one which roof occupants (kids) can use to put things in like drinks bottles or phones when the roof is up.

Stolen pic from google…
1700892480624.png
 
Should have said we find the little draw very handy. We have a dog so that’s full of her stuff.

If we didn’t it would still be useful - any extra storage is!

It fits a normal tin can width ways laid down (baked beans, or 330ml drinks cans). I would say you could probably get 16-20 cans laid down in it to give you an idea of size. Ben.
 
JuanVecino2023 said:
I’ve specced the child safe net & additional drawer on the Ocean we have on order.

Our toddler is pretty sensible and we didn’t use any netting on the rentals we’ve had. So that part seems superfluous.

Is the drawer the big one under the seat / is that not standard?

If so is it possible to live without it?
Click to expand...
As Andy and others have said, it’s the thinner drawer. We use ours for storage of cleaning stuff and would not be without, some prefer the space for their invisible skis.

Ref the net. We have as well. It’s in the garage. When our baked bean gets bigger though we’ll use. Having them off, I’d say, and there not being an issue, is great, until it’s not and you have a damaged toddler.
 
From tent to van said:
The net is not the child safe net - that comes as standard.

The net is one which roof occupants (kids) can use to put things in like drinks bottles or phones when the roof is up.

Stolen pic from google…
View attachment 116693
Click to expand...
We found the storage net very useful for books , phone, nightclothes etd when using the upstairs bed. Does sometimes get in the way a little if sat on the seats underneath.
 
The storage net is also useful when closing the sliding roof hatch. Saves me trying to hold up the roof fabric at both sides or getting your fingers stuck.
 
We specced this as, when we rented a van we didn't really use the load through space - or when we did put something in there we found it would move when we got the table out and then we couldn't put the table back until we moved said item out of the way. Having an extra drawer instead seemed like a good idea as all storage space inside is precious on a long trip (although I can equally see that if you do have something that needs the length in the boot of the load-through space then that might be critical so it depends what you like to pack).
We didn't order the drawer to have the additional storage net, that just happened to come with it. However, now we have it I love it - we nearly always sleep up top and having that net to put things in is incredibly useful, you can put an awful lot into it. It does get in the way of the camping control console, but I found that I can push it inside out during the day so that it sits above the console.
The other use for the storage net is when trying to close the roof hatch. I'm almost certain that we have the new new bellows as we spent 3 weeks in a rented van with the old leaky bellows in the summer so were very used to the way they looked and each time I get into our new van and put the roof up I'm sure the interior material looks very different. It is also an absolute pain to fit inside the roof hatch, so I think it is thicker. I've discovered that pulling the storage net flat across the roof hatch area before putting the roof down can make it a lot easier to try to tuck the roof material out of the way of the runners!
 
PurpleLizC789 said:
We specced this as, when we rented a van we didn't really use the load through space - or when we did put something in there we found it would move when we got the table out and then we couldn't put the table back until we moved said item out of the way. Having an extra drawer instead seemed like a good idea as all storage space inside is precious on a long trip (although I can equally see that if you do have something that needs the length in the boot of the load-through space then that might be critical so it depends what you like to pack).
We didn't order the drawer to have the additional storage net, that just happened to come with it. However, now we have it I love it - we nearly always sleep up top and having that net to put things in is incredibly useful, you can put an awful lot into it. It does get in the way of the camping control console, but I found that I can push it inside out during the day so that it sits above the console.
The other use for the storage net is when trying to close the roof hatch. I'm almost certain that we have the new new bellows as we spent 3 weeks in a rented van with the old leaky bellows in the summer so were very used to the way they looked and each time I get into our new van and put the roof up I'm sure the interior material looks very different. It is also an absolute pain to fit inside the roof hatch, so I think it is thicker. I've discovered that pulling the storage net flat across the roof hatch area before putting the roof down can make it a lot easier to try to tuck the roof material out of the way of the runners!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the detailed reply.

We have used a 2022 van, so pre-bellowsgate I guess. And one I test drove was a 2019.

Neither had any issues sliding the hatch, so it sounds like this is on later models?

With both it just pulled shut without having to interfere with the fabric.
 
Fine the drawer very useful, but remove the net as got in the way.
 
did someone just say that 'the old bellows were leaky compared to the new ' ?
as for the drawer,i prefer the load through hatch. fits 2 slabs of beer in there, or levelling blocks and obviously ideal for long stuff like ski and snowboards etc. the child net comes standard.
also i've seen that drawer retro fitted by people on here for alot less
 
I find the space occupied by the little drawer perfectly sized for the wheel ramps. They are large so finding an alternative spot in the van might be more troublesome. I don't miss not having the drawer. I think it serves a purpose for separating things/food etc for a pet(s).
 
how much is that extra drawer and net ?
 
Never had a need for the load-through space while travelling. And if you need to move large stuff when not travelling, folding the bench should suffice. The space is perfect (like mentioned by others abovem for beer and levelling blocks).

Also keep in mind that if at some point in time you'd like to install a pull-out drawer in the back of the van (which many people find useful), the load-through space get's less useable for long things.
 
Because we have a pull-out drawer with four crates in the rear storage space we use the 15 cm for storing lager objects like tent poles. So no space for an extra drawer.
 
Extra draw is really useful storage, I put all the Tech stuff in it, Projector, cables, adapters, lights etc.
I thought the storage net would be a pain but in fact it is really useful for storing stuff to keep the van tidy like iPad, phone, book, water bottles, keys etc. Great and easy access also when in bed Up top.
 
JuanVecino2023 said:
I’ve specced the child safe net & additional drawer on the Ocean we have on order.

Our toddler is pretty sensible and we didn’t use any netting on the rentals we’ve had. So that part seems superfluous.

Is the drawer the big one under the seat / is that not standard?

If so is it possible to live without it?
Click to expand...
I’m in the camp that wouldn’t bother with the drawer. It has ridges on both sides that restrict the width to about 11.5cm. I specced the drawer on my Ocean, but wouldn’t bother again. I don’t have a specific need for the through hatch so thought it would be a good idea, but in hindsight I think it’s good to maintain that flexibility.
 
ThomasHJ said:
Never had a need for the load-through space while travelling. And if you need to move large stuff when not travelling, folding the bench should suffice. The space is perfect (like mentioned by others abovem for beer and levelling blocks).

Also keep in mind that if at some point in time you'd like to install a pull-out drawer in the back of the van (which many people find useful), the load-through space get's less useable for long things.
Click to expand...
Your wrong there. I've got pull out rear drawer. You just post long stuff over it into the long space. That extra drawer isn't worth the money. If I had it in a van I bought second hand I'd keep it. If I had the choice I would do without it. I find the load space extremely useful.
 
flying banana said:
how much is that extra drawer and net ?
Click to expand...
A lot!
flying banana said:
did someone just say that 'the old bellows were leaky compared to the new ' ?
as for the drawer,i prefer the load through hatch. fits 2 slabs of beer in there, or levelling blocks and obviously ideal for long stuff like ski and snowboards etc. the child net comes standard.
also i've seen that drawer retro fitted by people on here for alot less
Click to expand...
This was my thought. It seems like a punchy sum for a tiny drawer.

I’d be interested if anyone has experience DIY fitting. I spied 50 Nord have their own natty looking wooden one. But it’s just as pricey.

I’m thinking if I canned the safe, the drawer & 4 keys, I have a decent pot to play with.

I already binned the shower & comfort mattress after reading threads on here.
 
JuanVecino2023 said:
A lot!

This was my thought. It seems like a punchy sum fir a tiny drawer.

I’d be interested if anyone has experience DIY fitting. I spied 50 Nord have their own natty looking wooden one. But it’s just as pricey.

I’m thinking if I canned the safe, the drawer & 4 keys, I have a decent pot to play with.

I already binned the shower & comfort mattress after reading threads on here.
Click to expand...
I don't have the safe. Bought mine 2nd hand so the spec was as it was. I have the shower. I use it more than I thought I would. Long hot summer days and an ice cold cali shower at a hot sticky festival. Bliss.would spec the shower every time. When my shower hose broke a while ago I actually missed it. Some on here have watched me washing my ass at a hot sticky busfest. Didn't put them off their gin though.
 
flying banana said:
I don't have the safe. Bought mine 2nd hand so the spec was as it was. I have the shower. I use it more than I thought I would. Long hot summer days and an ice cold cali shower at a hot sticky festival. Bliss.would spec the shower every time. When my shower hose broke a while ago I actually missed it. Some on here have watched me washing my ass at a hot sticky busfest. Didn't put them off their gin though.
Click to expand...
I think it might be useful for beach days. But I never get a parking spot close to the sand anyhow.

I’ve been eyeballing a Roadshower 4 as an alternative. Gets hot on the rare days we see Sun here. And doesn’t drain the internal tank.

I’m thinking though - ticking the shower option and deleting 3RD drawer might be wise.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Extending Child Safety Net
Replies
2
Views
342
HB19
H
jonesey
'Full' child safety net?
Replies
14
Views
6K
Maud
Maud
B
Wanted T5.1 Child Safety Net
Replies
2
Views
398
b0wler2
B
D
Child roof bed net, VW dealers rant...
Replies
9
Views
2K
maui2512
M
S
Has anyone fitted the small additional under bench drawer?
Replies
23
Views
4K
Kmann
Kmann

Useful links

VW California Club

  • Comfort Insurance
  • VIP Membership
  • Comfort Insurance
  • CampervanBits Accessories
  • Conquest
  • Hire a Vw California

About us

The VW California Club is the worlds largest resource for all owners and enthusiasts of VW California campervans.

Our Partners

Our Partners

Back
Top