“Must have” items on collection

So we are due to collect our new Cali Ocean in March. We assume it won’t come with a gas bottle installed (?) and so we got wondering what other essential items should we be looking to get hold of in advance that we will surely need from the off..? The kind of things that arguably VW should include because pretty much everyone does need them. Generally we are keen to travel light, and so will happily wait to see about items such as screen covers, packing cubes, waste bins and the like! Thanks in advance!

look into a mattress topper.
we ended up with the IXTEND Brandrup before we got comfortable in ours
hook up leads if using Electric Hookup

Lequimper said:

So we are due to collect our new Cali Ocean in March. We assume it won’t come with a gas bottle installed (?) and so we got wondering what other essential items should we be looking to get hold of in advance that we will surely need from the off..? The kind of things that arguably VW should include because pretty much everyone does need them. Generally we are keen to travel light, and so will happily wait to see about items such as screen covers, packing cubes, waste bins and the like! Thanks in advance!

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Campingaz 907 or smaller 904.
25m hookup lead or a 10 + 15m leads. You get a Continental adapter lead.
UK 3 pin adapter lead for EHU lead so that you can plug into a domestic 3 pin socket at home.
Cutlery and dishes/cups/glasses
Cooking paraphernalia
Bedding of your choice duvet/sleeping bag
If you have selected the Comfort Mattress option then nothing else is required to start with.

something to fill the watertank .

WelshGas said:

Campingaz 907 or smaller 904.
25m hookup lead or a 10 + 15m leads. You get a Continental adapter lead.
UK 3 pin adapter lead for EHU lead so that you can plug into a domestic 3 pin socket at home.
Cutlery and dishes/cups/glasses
Cooking paraphernalia
Bedding of your choice duvet/sleeping bag
If you have selected the Comfort Mattress option then nothing else is required to start with.

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This is the answer you seek. Nothing further to add really.

I would include a fire extinguisher (especially if you plan to cook inside) and a bin that fits behind the passenger seat.

oh cmon, no one said kettle..

usb adapters, and a torch

WelshGas said:

Campingaz 907 or smaller 904.
25m hookup lead or a 10 + 15m leads. You get a Continental adapter lead.
UK 3 pin adapter lead for EHU lead so that you can plug into a domestic 3 pin socket at home.
Cutlery and dishes/cups/glasses
Cooking paraphernalia
Bedding of your choice duvet/sleeping bag
If you have selected the Comfort Mattress option then nothing else is required to start with.

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I'd agree with the above, especially in relation to the hook up. 10m plus 15m is much more versatile than a 25m cable - which you may need one on the continent but will be an annoyance all of those times you park right next to the power point (bulky, and you get dirty packing it away).
As for cooking, Tefal Ingenio (or similar) pans with removable handles are a good space saver. They are expensive but if you wait there are always bargain bundle deals to be had (UK Hot Deals is your friend, or follow their facebook marketing). Get the induction version for maximum flexibility and longevity.

The VW front window blind is awful and will break, so I'd suggest some form of front cab cover. The supplied side magnetic ones are actually OK as a starting point. If travelling light you might want to consider the Brandrup isolite internal windscreen cover as they pack very light. LIkewise, the internal blind over the sliding door can be an annoyance as it is not part of the door (it stays down when you open the sliding door - this can be a niggle when you're half asleep in the middle of the night). So I'd suggest an additional blind to fix to the sliding door - again Brandrup isolites are thin and effective - if you don't mind silver. More attractive options are available.

Finally, I'm not sure how effective the new bellows are at keeping the light out (as well as the heat in). If you decide you need roof insulation then I'd relucatntly (on grounds of cost) suggest an isotop. We bought both a topper and an insulated wrap (both second hand on the forms) but both take up space and can be a faff. If I was rating again I'd probably bite the bullet and get an isotop.
(I'm loathe to recommend too much Brandrup stuff as it is very expensive for what it is - but it is good kit and there aren't many bespoke options out thetre).

Think about storage solutions after your first few trips.

Lee.Van.Cleef said:

I'd agree with the above, especially in relation to the hook up. 10m plus 15m is much more versatile than a 25m cable - which you may need one on the continent but will be an annoyance all of those times you park right next to the power point (bulky, and you get dirty packing it away).
As for cooking, Tefal Ingenio (or similar) pans with removable handles are a good space saver. They are expensive but if you wait there are always bargain bundle deals to be had (UK Hot Deals is your friend, or follow their facebook marketing). Get the induction version for maximum flexibility and longevity.

The VW front window blind is awful and will break, so I'd suggest some form of front cab cover. The supplied side magnetic ones are actually OK as a starting point. If travelling light you might want to consider the Brandrup isolite internal windscreen cover as they pack very light. LIkewise, the internal blind over the sliding door can be an annoyance as it is not part of the door (it stays down when you open the sliding door - this can be a niggle when you're half asleep in the middle of the night). So I'd suggest an additional blind to fix to the sliding door - again Brandrup isolites are thin and effective - if you don't mind silver. More attractive options are available.

Finally, I'm not sure how effective the new bellows are at keeping the light out (as well as the heat in). If you decide you need roof insulation then I'd relucatntly (on grounds of cost) suggest an isotop. We bought both a topper and an insulated wrap (both second hand on the forms) but both take up space and can be a faff. If I was rating again I'd probably bite the bullet and get an isotop.
(I'm loathe to recommend too much Brandrup stuff as it is very expensive for what it is - but it is good kit and there aren't many bespoke options out thetre).

Think about storage solutions after your first few trips.

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The thing I dislike most about Brandrup products, apart from the obvious pricing, is that they use way too much velcro fastening eg for door and tailgate covers, isotop etc. Magnets are a much more versatile and more aesthetically pleasing solution. Look for Maxxcamp, Busboxx, Thais among others.

Diesel !

Essentials list (much of which already covered above) and based on my experience;

- 2 x 907 gas cylinders (so you have a spare, then when number 1 runs out, you swap over and can refill number 2 when you get chance - they're bulky and heavy to post so you may as well do this in one go. Plus you have a spare if you ever want to toy around with gas BBQ / outdoor cooking)
- Basic kitchen essentials (bottle opener/glasses/pans/kettle/cups/plates/cutlery/washing up liquid/brush etc.. - you'll need less if you live on Pot Noodles than if you're planning to make food from scratch)
- Length of food-grade blue water hose along with a tap connector (so you can unscrew a fixed hose at the campsite and attach directly to the tap, just in case someone has used that hose for cleaning out a porta potty or foul tank)
- UK 3 pin > EHU adaptor for home charging
- 25m (or 10 + 15) EHU cable; I would suggest getting good quality 16A rated (there are inferior versions out there)
- Dustpan and brush to fight the constant onslaught of "little bits and pieces" as my 3 year old calls it
- Some sort of blanket or sheet to go over the mattress you sleep on (even if you're planning to use sleeping bags)
- Torch for toilet visits in the night
- Water tank cleaning solution to clean before first use (can't remember what it's called, available in the club shop)
- Pack of microfibre towels; handy for spills, mopping up condensation, wiping any muddy scuffs on steps/trim etc.

That is pretty much what you'll need to "get by" and will enable you to travel and sleep. The built-in front blinds do work fine if you're careful and is all we used for the first 25 nights or so without any issues. The best advice I can give is to do staged first trips to work out if you have everything;

1) Day trip somewhere, make lunch in the van (should highlight any obvious kitchen shortfalls and any driving bits you want, e.g. phone chargers)
2) One night overnight trip somewhere, pub within reach so you've got a bolt-hole for food if you want it (will show if you have the necessary overnight bits, if you feel you need levelling chocks etc..)

You'll get a million opinions on this whole topic area and almost as many threads with the same question being posed. The thing is most people advising (including me) will have been doing this a while and have long since moved beyond the essentials and have customised what's in their van to their own bespoke requirements. With time you'll probably do the same!

Given the size of the 907's I'd be tempted to keep a smaller, easier to stow, 904 as backup. Much easier to use outdoors to power a Cadac or other cooker too.

capt kirk said:

oh cmon, no one said kettle..

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Included under Cooking paraphernalia.

Corradobrit said:

The thing I dislike most about Brandrup products, apart from the obvious pricing, is that they use way too much velcro fastening eg for door and tailgate covers, isotop etc. Magnets are a much more versatile and more aesthetically pleasing solution. Look for Maxxcamp, Busboxx, Thais among others.

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Our Maxxcamp magnetic mosquito screen is certainly a favourite.

Perfectos said:

Diesel !

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Presumably the Dealership will have left a few gallons in the tank.

"Must have":

Decided on where to go in it!

Aha, so we all have quite different ideas about what we ‘must have’, and that is as it should be of course.
Personally, I would say that you ‘must have’ a way of hooking up, of taking water on board, of preparing something to eat and of sleeping comfortably. There is lots of great advice on what works for individuals above, and you might already have most of it.
Until you have done at least a night in the van, I would hesitate to buy anything beyond those basics. After that night you will have a much better idea of what YOU need and then the fun can begin.
Happy camping and welcome to the best cali forum on the web.

We have a garage full of “must have” items. As many have said before. Get it. Take it away. Even a day trip. Work out your own list. Your garage, wallet and other half will thank you!

Fantastic specific and general advice. Really helpful so thank you, everyone.

A BIG SMILE.

Meoncoast said:

A BIG SMILE.

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Thats a given

Some white wine to check the fridge is working.

Lequimper said:

So we are due to collect our new Cali Ocean in March. We assume it won’t come with a gas bottle installed (?) and so we got wondering what other essential items should we be looking to get hold of in advance that we will surely need from the off..? The kind of things that arguably VW should include because pretty much everyone does need them. Generally we are keen to travel light, and so will happily wait to see about items such as screen covers, packing cubes, waste bins and the like! Thanks in advance!

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It will depend on what you use the van for. I collected my van one February and immediately visited a shop to buy a ice scraper and de-icer for the drive home in the snow. The first time I used it to camp I took the hock up cable.. A kettle, coffee tea , mugs plates cutlery etc. Mine is a beach so no inside cooking but I had an induction hob and a pan to start with. Bedding of course . A Thetford Porta Potti was also in my first item and lives in the van all the time.
The screen covers with the van are OK to see how you get on but may need to add too later.
I have since added things and taken out things over the last 6 years.

CaliforniaSeb said:

Some white wine to check the fridge is working.

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We purchased one of these