Just bought my first camper and it’s a California. Dream came true!

Handsome-Sym · Oct 8, 2023

Traded in my Audi A5 and bought a T6 California ocean 2019. Joining here for likeminded people and quick, helpful advice on upgrades and modifications, as I make my personal campervan journey.
From Derby, I picked it up in Cumbria, and went straight out into the Peak District for a free stay on the side of a mountain. Had the best day ever. FREEDOM!
Just as a quick question, my steering feels a little loose and I can feel it quite a lot going over bumps or uneven ground. Is this normal for a California? It’s only done 33k miles.

CC44853 · Oct 8, 2023

Welcome, and what a beautiful van.

In my experience the ride can vary a lot depending on tire/wheel size, load and tire pressure. It's said that due to the "commercial" spec of the suspension you can get quite a bit of an improvement with lowering and different springs/shocks (see transporterhq.co.uk), but I've never had the luxury of trying such a setup.

Instead it's just something I've gotten used to. Coming from an A5 it'll never be as smooth as that, though I don't need to tell you that

WelshGas · Oct 8, 2023

Handsome-Sym said:
Traded in my Audi A5 and bought a T6 California ocean 2019. Joining here for likeminded people and quick, helpful advice on upgrades and modifications, as I make my personal campervan journey.
From Derby, I picked it up in Cumbria, and went straight out into the Peak District for a free stay on the side of a mountain. Had the best day ever. FREEDOM!
Just as a quick question, my steering feels a little loose and I can feel it quite a lot going over bumps or uneven ground. Is this normal for a California? It’s only done 33k miles.

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As said above.
It's a van based vehicle so give some time to get used to it.
Check the tyre pressures. There is a sticker on the Drivers door B pillar with pressures for different size tyres. 215 tyres run at a much higher pressure than 235 and can give a harsher ride according to some owners.

Barry Chuckle · Oct 8, 2023

Pity you couldn't have transferred your A5 alloys across, they look great!!!!

JohnCalifornia · Oct 8, 2023

Very nice indeed.

Californication69 · Oct 8, 2023

Welcome. It’s a great tool to do multiple things. Once the fast driving and that mindset is left behind, it’s like a revelation.
Sat with feet up, having a brew/cold one/ people watching with side door open.
It’s like being born again…

mike bennett · Oct 8, 2023

Welcome to the club, looks a lovely van and great pics. Enjoy

Scapa · Oct 8, 2023

Hiya and welcome to the forum and your new ‘freedom’ adventures re the steering and suspension, I suspect this feeling of looseness and twitching over bumps in part is due to what you are used to in the Audi (much tighter and planted) but also under the skin the Cali is when all said and done is still a van platform and a heavyweight one at that. Your ride height (pictures) suggests you’ve got standard suspension springs which as mentioned already, can be removed and lowered (usually around 30mm, either by VW or independent suppliers) which helps tighten things up a bit. Anyway after several trips and loads of fun you will probably stop noticing anyway

Perfectos · Oct 9, 2023

great intro :cheers

the steering can be loose, with what seems like excessive play.

VW will tell you that the play in the steering wheel (without the wheels moving ) is normal.

There are lots of complaints on the T6 forum regarding excess play and vague steering.

tyre pressure, the brand / profile of tyre & road speed can make a great deal of difference.

Handsome-Sym · Oct 10, 2023

CC44853 said:
Welcome, and what a beautiful van.

In my experience the ride can vary a lot depending on tire/wheel size, load and tire pressure. It's said that due to the "commercial" spec of the suspension you can get quite a bit of an improvement with lowering and different springs/shocks (see transporterhq.co.uk), but I've never had the luxury of trying such a setup.

Instead it's just something I've gotten used to. Coming from an A5 it'll never be as smooth as that, though I don't need to tell you that

Thanks a lot for the detailed reply. I thought it might just be due to the previous A5 sports setup. I'm getting used to it already though.

Handsome-Sym · Oct 10, 2023

Perfectos said:
great intro

the steering can be loose, with what seems like excessive play.

VW will tell you that the play in the steering wheel (without the wheels moving ) is normal.

There are lots of complaints on the T6 forum regarding excess play and vague steering.

tyre pressure, the brand / profile of tyre & road speed can make a great deal of difference.

Thanks for this. I'm looking to get some new 18 inch wheels and tyres eventually, so maybe this will assist a little.

Handsome-Sym · Oct 10, 2023

WelshGas said:
As said above.
It's a van based vehicle so give some time to get used to it.
Check the tyre pressures. There is a sticker on the Drivers door B pillar with pressures for different size tyres. 215 tyres run at a much higher pressure than 235 and can give a harsher ride according to some owners.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I'm going to go and check the pressure today I reckon. It seems to handle better when its full of diesel, water and gear for some reason.

Handsome-Sym · Oct 10, 2023

Barry Chuckle said:
Pity you couldn't have transferred your A5 alloys across, they look great!!!!

I know. I did love that car. Wheels make such a difference as well.

Handsome-Sym · Oct 10, 2023

Californication69 said:
Welcome. It’s a great tool to do multiple things. Once the fast driving and that mindset is left behind, it’s like a revelation.
Sat with feet up, having a brew/cold one/ people watching with side door open.
It’s like being born again…

Indeed it is. As much as I loved the comfortable drive of the Audi, it didn't even hurt to swap it. I was meant to have a campervan. Love it.

WelshGas · Oct 10, 2023

Handsome-Sym said:
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I'm going to go and check the pressure today I reckon. It seems to handle better when its full of diesel, water and gear for some reason.

It is a van based vehicle built to carry stuff and as such suspension , tyres etc are a compromise between empty and fully loaded vehicle.

cooky73 · Oct 10, 2023

Get these guys to lower it...

Services – Merseyspeed VW T5 & T6 Conversion Specialists

Well worth it in my opinion.

KevH · Oct 14, 2023

Great pics, and a huge slap on the back for making the leap of faith from car to van. If you are going to do it, get the best, and you have.

montyburns1982 · Oct 15, 2023

I just treated my Cali to Eibach adjustable lowering springs, new spring mounts, drop links and front Powerflex bushes. I part exed a 300hp F Pace S so it was a similar leap of faith but no regrets.

Having it lowered has made a huge difference to the ride of the van, much more car like, without the “lowered” look which I don’t really like.

Something to consider!