From tent to van

From tent to van · Nov 14, 2022

Hi all. Thanks for letting me join. We ordered our cali ocean 2 weeks ago through EV Crawley.

Having been keen campers for over 10 years now (in a tent) we are looking forward to transitioning to a cali. We hired one a few weeks ago as a taster and loved it. We’re looking forward to those impromptu weekends away with the kids without the hassle of all the logistics required in packing a car with tent and all the other kit.

I’m looking forward to reading several posts in the site to get the insight to cali ownership while we wait for our van. Ben.

Eddie&Angie Southport · Nov 15, 2022

Welcome, we've returned to a van after a 2 year period of just using a tent and only needing to pop clothes and food in at the last minute on a Friday evening after work is so much better

BrendanJ · Nov 15, 2022

From tent to van said:
I’m looking forward to reading several posts in the site to get the insight to cali ownership while we wait for our van. Ben.

Welcome to the club, if you enjoy getting away without all the faff you will enjoy your van, but having done pretty much all types of camping, tents, trailer tents, caravans, van, motor home, you will learn they are all compromises of one sort or another and tastes change according to your circumstances etc
But one tip with the van is avoid the early temptation tho load up with all sorts of seemingly good kit until you really know what you enjoy the most about the experience
For example for us , just a couple we valued quick getaways, short one or 2 days max on any one site so decided awnings not for us.
You will see no end of such equipment being sold second hand which I put down to buy in haste sell at leisure

From tent to van · Nov 15, 2022

BrendanJ said:
Welcome to the club, if you enjoy getting away without all the faff you will enjoy your van, but having done pretty much all types of camping, tents, trailer tents, caravans, van, motor home, you will learn they are all compromises of one sort or another and tastes change according to your circumstances etc
But one tip with the van is avoid the early temptation tho load up with all sorts of seemingly good kit until you really know what you enjoy the most about the experience
For example for us , just a couple we valued quick getaways, short one or 2 days max on any one site so decided awnings not for us.
You will see no end of such equipment being sold second hand which I put down to buy in haste sell at leisure

Thanks for the insight. I have created a list of 'must haves' for day one, then a list of other stuff to consider over time. the must have for day 1 is very short.

We will do a few trips before we decide on awnings, shelving, carpets, bike racks, etc. But I know I will need a gas bottle, fire blanket, etc for day one. I also think we will have the majority of the living items from camping...so happy days!

66tim99 · Nov 15, 2022

From tent to van said:
Hi all. Thanks for letting me join. We ordered our cali ocean 2 weeks ago through EV Crawley.

Having been keen campers for over 10 years now (in a tent) we are looking forward to transitioning to a cali. We hired one a few weeks ago as a taster and loved it. We’re looking forward to those impromptu weekends away with the kids without the hassle of all the logistics required in packing a car with tent and all the other kit.

I’m looking forward to reading several posts in the site to get the insight to cali ownership while we wait for our van. Ben.

Welcome here Ben
Great to read your post and think about how you'll appreciate the heater, fridge, storage and all the rest when it finally arrives. I ordered through EV Crawley too (via Drive the Deal) and whilst 13 months was frustrating, the drive home was sublime.

andyinluton · Nov 15, 2022

From tent to van said:
Thanks for the insight. I have created a list of 'must haves' for day one, then a list of other stuff to consider over time. the must have for day 1 is very short.

We will do a few trips before we decide on awnings, shelving, carpets, bike racks, etc. But I know I will need a gas bottle, fire blanket, etc for day one. I also think we will have the majority of the living items from camping...so happy days!

That sounds like the most sensible post on here for ages.
Enjoy your new van.

Lambeth Cali · Nov 15, 2022

From tent to van said:
Hi all. Thanks for letting me join. We ordered our cali ocean 2 weeks ago through EV Crawley.

Having been keen campers for over 10 years now (in a tent) we are looking forward to transitioning to a cali. We hired one a few weeks ago as a taster and loved it. We’re looking forward to those impromptu weekends away with the kids without the hassle of all the logistics required in packing a car with tent and all the other kit.

I’m looking forward to reading several posts in the site to get the insight to cali ownership while we wait for our van. Ben.

Always a great idea to hire one first.

BeeBee · Nov 19, 2022

Welcome to the forum and the wait I’m sure will be worth it. As seasoned campers you will defo have lots of useful gear but could I just mention one or two things that as van owners may be worth considering …
* Carbon monoxide monitor (Amazon have a range of small very portable ones… there is a thread on here somewhere)
* Safelock for spare wheel ( available from forum shop )
Look forward to your family travels.

Anthony1 · Nov 19, 2022

From tent to van said:
Hi all. Thanks for letting me join. We ordered our cali ocean 2 weeks ago through EV Crawley.

Having been keen campers for over 10 years now (in a tent) we are looking forward to transitioning to a cali. We hired one a few weeks ago as a taster and loved it. We’re looking forward to those impromptu weekends away with the kids without the hassle of all the logistics required in packing a car with tent and all the other kit.

I’m looking forward to reading several posts in the site to get the insight to cali ownership while we wait for our van. Ben.

You'll really appreciate it when its blowing a gale and pouring with rain. One of my most often use comments are: "Glad I'm not in a tent" and "Glad I'm not on a motorbike", when it is raining, and there's a howling wind.

Vanhalla Dreams · Nov 19, 2022

We upgraded from 30yrs of tenting in all seasons, getting of the floor was becoming boring.

It really shines when you arrive at the site and it’s pissing down and you think better have a cup of tea and watch the tenters get wet.

Hawthorn37 · Nov 19, 2022

We did much the same as you. After around 30 years of camping interspersed with gites, we hired a Cali twice and went for our own. It’s such a step up, you won’t regret. You can always add tent space via an awning - it makes a difference when staying on a site for few days or more.

Hope your wait isn’t too long - seems to be getting a lot quicker.

From tent to van · Feb 7, 2023

Hi. We will be collecting our van 1st March. Ordered 1st nov, so 4 months. Things have certainly improved reading some old threads on here. Could have picked up a week or so earlier but may as well wait for the 23 plate.

Current dealer build and delivery times seem pretty accurate.

Ben.

Corradobrit · Feb 8, 2023

From tent to van said:
Hi. We will be collecting our van 1st March. Ordered 1st nov, so 4 months. Things have certainly improved reading some old threads on here. Could have picked up a week or so earlier but may as well wait for the 23 plate.

Current dealer build and delivery times seem pretty accurate.

Ben.

Wow, things really have improved at VW Nutzfahrzeug