Model Year 23?

Bigphatwhale · Jun 28, 2022

After chasing my dealer for an update on my Cali Ocean 4m (order placed June 21), he's advised that 'there is still no confirmed build date and the order has now been migrated to 'Model Year 23'. Which means build will now be beyond July but, in his words, ''if there are any enhancements, this will be a positive''.

Is anyone aware of any enhancements on a '23' model that could ease my pain?

Nand0 · Jun 28, 2022

I read on Caliboard a couple of months ago that MY23 would have better canvas on the pop top. Better = much better at handling water for rainy days. It was a rumour, so healthy skepticism is advised.

The VW dealer could confirm nothing other than a price increase by 2% to 3% (back in March) coming for MY23.

pcevanrulo · Jun 28, 2022

Nand0 said:
I read on Caliboard a couple of months ago that MY23 would have better canvas on the pop top. Better = much better at handling water for rainy days. It was a rumour, so healthy skepticism is advised.

Better than the current T6.1? Because it is pretty waterproof. The fibres of the canvas swell up as they get wet, which provides waterresistance

Nand0 · Jun 28, 2022

Sorry, I don't know any more, but you can find the gossip here: https://www.caliboard.de/topic/29248-modelljahr-2023-was-gibt-es-neues/

Weekend Wanderer · Jun 28, 2022

From another contributor - re the canvas

New T6.1 order delays

We’re also interested to see what people would spec differently. As we’re back in the position of no provisional build week, I think we can make changes to order (just worried if this will impact any potential price protection). We regret not speccing a tow bar, and would probably ditch the...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Corradobrit · Jun 28, 2022

Not sure if its a positive enhancement. The fabric looks considerably thicker than the current version and all that material has to go somewhere when the poptop is dropped. Its already pretty tight and maybe less accommodating if aftermarket toppers and mattresses are used.

Ozzy Pete · Jun 28, 2022

We have a 2015 van and every so often use a waterproof spray on the canvas. Never really had a problem with water ingress.

calibusje · Jun 28, 2022

Corradobrit said:
Not sure if its a positive enhancement. The fabric looks considerably thicker than the current version and all that material has to go somewhere when the poptop is dropped. Its already pretty tight and maybe less accommodating if aftermarket toppers and mattresses are used.

That is also on my mind:
Post in thread 'New T6.1 order delays'
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/new-t6-1-order-delays.35353/post-587497

Adno · Jul 4, 2022

I have T6 from 2019 and never any leaking problem,it would be better if there was some kind of thermal insulation because it is hot in summer and cold in winter.

calibusje · Jul 4, 2022

Well, you have a lifting roof with canvas, so cold and heat, that’s inherent. Anyway: there are solutions: I mounted this yesterday in less than an hour / ordered from https://www.thaissl.fr/en/boutique/campervan-accessories/pop-top-thermal-insulation/
Test next week

Greetings

Calimili · Jul 4, 2022

Corradobrit said:
Not sure if its a positive enhancement. The fabric looks considerably thicker than the current version and all that material has to go somewhere when the poptop is dropped. Its already pretty tight and maybe less accommodating if aftermarket toppers and mattresses are used.

or an ISOTOP

pcevanrulo · Jul 4, 2022

calibusje said:
Well, you have a lifting roof with canvas, so that’s inherent. Anyway: there are solutions: I mounted this yesterday in less than an hour / ordered from https://www.thaissl.fr/en/boutique/campervan-accessories/pop-top-thermal-insulation/
Test next week
Greetings

Looks nice. A bit like the Brandrup, but a lot cheaper.

M88GAV · Jul 4, 2022

calibusje said:
Well, you have a lifting roof with canvas, so that’s inherent. Anyway: there are solutions: I mounted this yesterday in less than an hour / ordered from https://www.thaissl.fr/en/boutique/campervan-accessories/pop-top-thermal-insulation/
Test next week
GreetingsView attachment 95584

That looks to be an interesting alternative to the isotop at about half the price! Did you research/compare with the isotop?

Corradobrit · Jul 4, 2022

M88GAV said:
That looks to be an interesting alternative to the isotop at about half the price! Did you research/compare with the isotop?

From my research its a worthy alternative to the Isotop and a bit less faff to install. They don't ship to the UK unfortunately. If I feel the need for an additional layer its the Thais version I'll pick up.

andyinluton · Jul 4, 2022

I have had both Theiss & Isotop fitted in previous vans.
The latest Isotop liner is a high quality fabric liner with a soft feel nice to touch finish to the inside.
The Theiss liner that I had, felt more like a kids waterproof mattress protecter - its was rubbery rather than fabric.

I changed from the Theiss because it didn't have the front opening window, although it looks like their latest ones have them.

By choice I would buy an Isotop, but if I bought a van & it already had the Theiss fitted with the windows I would struggle to justify the cost to change.

pluc99 · Jul 4, 2022

calibusje said:
Well, you have a lifting roof with canvas, so that’s inherent. Anyway: there are solutions: I mounted this yesterday in less than an hour / ordered from https://www.thaissl.fr/en/boutique/campervan-accessories/pop-top-thermal-insulation/
Test next week
GreetingsView attachment 95584

@calibusje Hi, can you tell me how long it took to deliver?

Begize · Jul 4, 2022

I've been reading around and sounds like, apart from the predicted new roof material, everything else is very minor - some changes to the contents of the option packs and possibly the WeConnect functionality.

The new roof material is apparently scheduled for introduction from BW 39 onwards (so last week in September??), the rest in theory should be "announced" anytime now but given it's so minor, probably just be an slight update to the configurator and a new brochure accordingly.

calibusje · Jul 4, 2022

andyinluton said:
I have had both Theiss & Isotop fitted in previous vans.
The latest Isotop liner is a high quality fabric liner with a soft feel nice to touch finish to the inside.
The Theiss liner that I had, felt more like a kids waterproof mattress protecter - its was rubbery rather than fabric.

I changed from the Theiss because it didn't have the front opening window, although it looks like their latest ones have them.

By choice I would buy an Isotop, but if I bought a van & it already had the Theiss fitted with the windows I would struggle to justify the cost to change.

Very good you can talk about experienced the both. I have the Thais sl and although didn’t have the brandrup, I saw it a few times irl.
The cost for a soft feel, nice to touch isn’t compelling enough to justify the price to me but each his own choice of course. I describe the feel of the fabric of the Thais sl as ‘feeling smooth’. Better or worse? Don’t know.
Yes true, you can order with a opening for the front large window opening the T6.1 can have.
I've already read reports and videos of people who spent up to 3 hours assembling the brandrup isotop; I know: there will certainly be handy people who did it faster. I'm not that handy and installed the Thais sl insulation inside bellows in less than an hour.
Will it be good? I'll know in a few weeks after our trip to France. This of course for the heat. I will notice the insulation against the cold later in the year and early next year.

calibusje · Jul 4, 2022

M88GAV said:
That looks to be an interesting alternative to the isotop at about half the price! Did you research/compare with the isotop?

I know Brandrup's isotop but didn't have it/ don’t have it; Seen some with others and seemed like good stuff. Thais sl isolation is easier to apply (read and seen how people instal the isotop from brandrup) and cheaper. Now I have installed it, I notice it was hard to close the roof but it is easy solved: pull the front away from the velcro and lay it down on the bedding. Now the roof closes like there is no isolation. When opening the roof, hang it back and done. People with the brandrup isotop can confirm or deny that it isn’t easy to close the manual roof with the isotop installed. I don’t know how it is with an hydro-electric roof.

calibusje · Jul 4, 2022

pluc99 said:
@calibusje Hi, can you tell me how long it took to deliver?

Not sure but it couldn’t be more than a few weeks. I ordered more stuff from them and all was rather fast delivered; We had a waiting period of 20 months for our cali and ordered a lot in that time so can’t remember it clearly.
I put the language at their website in Spanish because it seemed like there was more to order and easier also. Some prices were a bit lower.

Corradobrit · Jul 4, 2022

calibusje said:
I put the language at their website in Spanish because it seemed like there was more to order and easier also. Some prices were a bit lower.

You're right. That makes no sense and its a bit of cheek charging more on the English language. The French are also getting shafted.

66tim99 · Jul 4, 2022

calibusje said:
. I don’t know how it is with an hydro-electric roof.

I know that with the 6.1 storage pack net installed, it is a bit of a faff closing the roof. No space in there for a roof liner and the net. I find the net useful for water bottle, book, phone etc when sleeping upstairs. Haven’t felt the need for a liner yet.
Does anyone have an isotop or similar AND the 6.1 storage net thing?

Explorer · Jul 5, 2022

Yes we do - no problems at all if

66tim99 said:
I know that with the 6.1 storage pack net installed, it is a bit of a faff closing the roof. No space in there for a roof liner and the net. I find the net useful for water bottle, book, phone etc when sleeping upstairs. Haven’t felt the need for a liner yet.
Does anyone have an isotop or similar AND the 6.1 storage net thing?

the isotop is loosened from front two hooks on each side and folded nice and flat to the middle.
And you have to remove the front opening window if you have a coast.

It takes a minute and is no more faff than closing the manual roof normally is. It’s pot luck with that sometimes it’s super easy sometimes it’s not!

66tim99 · Jul 5, 2022

Explorer said:
Yes we do - no problems at all if

the isotop is loosened from front two hooks on each side and folded nice and flat to the middle.
And you have to remove the front opening window if you have a coast.

It takes a minute and is no more faff than closing the manual roof normally is. It’s pot luck with that sometimes it’s super easy sometimes it’s not!

Thanks. So the optional storage net AND the isotop fit in the roof as long as the front opening is removed?

calibusje · Jul 5, 2022

66tim99 said:
Thanks. So the optional storage net AND the isotop fit in the roof as long as the front opening is removed?

For yours and others information: I remove it from the top and bottom and put it on the mattress topper. We have a coast with a manual roof and no storage net (but one at the top of the roof canopy from Maxxcamp and has no influence on the folding of the lifting roof). Isolation from Thais sl.