Accessories

Corradobrit said:

I'm into my 6 month of the 'wait'. Another 4-5 to go, but I can feel the excitement rising. I've been thinking a lot about this myself so looking forward to hearing what other more experienced Cali owners suggest.
My incomplete lists:
Essentials:
1. Portapotti with securing system for the rails. Includes a padded cover so potti doubles as a seat/pouf.
2. Internal insulating panels for bellows. My plan is to sleep mostly in upper level so this needs to be as comfy as possible.
3. Topper for upper factory mattress or a substitute.
4. Internal blackout magnetic covers for windshield and cab side windows.
5. 2x100W solar panels as I plan to wild camp as much as possible.
6. Folding eBike. Tern Vektron S10 is top of my list.
7. Ridge monkey(s).
8. Means of accessing internet.
9. and 10. TBD

Nice to have:
1. Fly nets for sliding doors and window
2. Front window deflectors.
3. Means of cooking outside van.
4. Privacy panels for extendable awning.

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Azteccamper said:

Being doing this for 10+ years.
TBH you don’t NEED any of the above! We have a portapotti - used less than a dozen times but ”just in case”!

I just think lots of people seem to go way overboard in what they buy and what the pay for certain brands. Just get out and enjoy the freedom and great outdoors.

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simonwilletts said:

Having ordered my Ocean and waiting and waiting I thought I would prepare a list of accessories (not pre order options) for inside the van that are essential and ones that just make living in a small space with someone else more comfortable and ensuring we come back from holidays as happy to still talk as we were when we set off!!

My experience is in camping with a six wheeler motor home with a little more space....Now I am spending similar money on smaller space but with a vehichle that can be used all the time and easier to live with. However realise I need to pack more minimumly and make every space count without turning the beauty of my cali into a space that looks like my Grandmothers house!!

So wondering if I can ask as many as possible to share your list of top 10 essentials that you can't live without and a top 10 of some 'nice to haves' from best drivaway awning to storage and devises to stop plates and pans rattling while on the move. Also a bonus item of 1 little gismo that you came across that others may not know about that you found on some obscure shop or website......They say you can buy experinece but I thought by asking those experienced VW camper enthusiasts to put their lists out in this thread I and other new Cali owners (and perhaps all) may be able to short cut to the best experience from the get go.

My experience is that most sellers of vans and accessories and even the designers of these have NEVER spent two weeks camping in their lives, or that is sometimes how it feels.......So over the real experts... The cali Owners Club Members who have road and holiday tested every assessory at some point.

Thank you in advance.

Simon

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1. Upgraded tyres (studded in Norway, AT in the U.K.)
2. Hanging rail and folding hangars for drying clothing.
3. 12V dehumidifier
4. Some form of insulation for the pop-top and widescreen.
5. 2 x small camping stoves for outdoor cooking.
6. An quick release adapter mod for the main gas cylinder to make it easier to change canister and then one of the small camping gas canisters can be used as a backup.
7. Boxes for inside the storage spaces to make it quick and easy to pack and find things
8. A gardening knife/trowel for digging holes in the woods
9. Aeropress or moka pot for fresh coffee. Hand coffee grinder and milk frothed.
10. Yeti mugs that fit in cup holders and are bomb proof
11. Sea to summit inflatable mattress, wool topper, down duvet and down pillows for real luxurious sleeping
12. Quad lock iPhone case and mount
13. Waterproof seat covers
14. Small folding step and mat for sitting on while removing snow or mud covered boots outside.
15. Tefal ingenio pan set
16. Solar panel
17. Roof box
18. Modified awning foot brackets to secure the awning without tie down kit.
19. Tow ball bike carrier
20. Collapsible ladder for getting to roof box and cleaning snow off solar panel.
21. Snow chains
22. Collapsible fire pit with tripod and hanging grill.
23. Collapsible kettle
24. Milwaukee cordless compressor for airing up and down tyres
25. Selection of tools for repairs on the road
26. Small axe

Corradobrit said:

I'm into my 6 month of the 'wait'. Another 4-5 to go, but I can feel the excitement rising. I've been thinking a lot about this myself so looking forward to hearing what other more experienced Cali owners suggest.
My incomplete lists:
Essentials:
1. Portapotti with securing system for the rails. Includes a padded cover so potti doubles as a seat/pouf.
2. Internal insulating panels for bellows. My plan is to sleep mostly in upper level so this needs to be as comfy as possible.
3. Topper for upper factory mattress or a substitute.
4. Internal blackout magnetic covers for windshield and cab side windows.
5. 2x100W solar panels as I plan to wild camp as much as possible.
6. Folding eBike. Tern Vektron S10 is top of my list.
7. Ridge monkey(s).
8. Means of accessing internet.
9. and 10. TBD

Nice to have:
1. Fly nets for sliding doors and window
2. Front window deflectors.
3. Means of cooking outside van.
4. Privacy panels for extendable awning.

Click to expand...

simonwilletts said:

Thanks for getting this started......when did your order your van, Who from and when will it be delivered?
You have items in your top 10 I have not considered but like your thoughts?

What are Ridge Monkeys and what do you feed them on?
What are the options on internet access ?

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California4x4 said:

Context. I like to spend time in wild places and use my campervan as a base camp for outdoor activities. Different things come on different trips depending on the focus. So I’ll list most of them.

1. Upgraded tyres (studded in Norway, AT in the U.K.)
2. Hanging rail and folding hangars for drying clothing.
3. 12V dehumidifier
4. Some form of insulation for the pop-top and widescreen.
5. 2 x small camping stoves for outdoor cooking.
6. An quick release adapter mod for the main gas cylinder to make it easier to change canister and then one of the small camping gas canisters can be used as a backup.
7. Boxes for inside the storage spaces to make it quick and easy to pack and find things
8. A gardening knife/trowel for digging holes in the woods
9. Aeropress or moka pot for fresh coffee. Hand coffee grinder and milk frothed.
10. Yeti mugs that fit in cup holders and are bomb proof
11. Sea to summit inflatable mattress, wool topper, down duvet and down pillows for real luxurious sleeping
12. Quad lock iPhone case and mount
13. Waterproof seat covers
14. Small folding step and mat for sitting on while removing snow or mud covered boots outside.

15. California4x4 said:

    Context. I like to spend time in wild places and use my campervan as a base camp for outdoor activities. Different things come on different trips depending on the focus. So I’ll list most of them.
    
    
    
    

    1. Upgraded tyres (studded in Norway, AT in the U.K.)
    2. Hanging rail and folding hangars for drying clothing.
    3. 12V dehumidifier
    4. Some form of insulation for the pop-top and widescreen.
    5. 2 x small camping stoves for outdoor cooking.
    6. An quick release adapter mod for the main gas cylinder to make it easier to change canister and then one of the small camping gas canisters can be used as a backup.
    7. Boxes for inside the storage spaces to make it quick and easy to pack and find things
    8. A gardening knife/trowel for digging holes in the woods
    9. Aeropress or moka pot for fresh coffee. Hand coffee grinder and milk frothed.
    10. Yeti mugs that fit in cup holders and are bomb proof
    11. Sea to summit inflatable mattress, wool topper, down duvet and down pillows for real luxurious sleeping
    12. Quad lock iPhone case and mount
    13. Waterproof seat covers
    14. Small folding step and mat for sitting on while removing snow or mud covered boots outside.
    15. Tefal ingenio pan set
    16. Solar panel
    17. Roof box
    18. Modified awning foot brackets to secure the awning without tie down kit.
    19. Tow ball bike carrier
    20. Collapsible ladder for getting to roof box and cleaning snow off solar panel.
    21. Snow chains
    22. Collapsible fire pit with tripod and hanging grill.
    23. Collapsible kettle
    24. Milwaukee cordless compressor for airing up and down tyres
    25. Selection of tools for repairs on the road
    26. Small axe

    Click to expand...

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Corradobrit said:

Ordered mid Nov (199/204 4Mo) from a dealer in Netherlands. Earliest delivery I was told back then would be Sept 2021 and with worse case scenario a Nov 2021 delivery. I have a towbar spec'ed which may or may not affect these dates.

Ridge monkeys are multifunctional pots that offer some additional capabilities beyond regular pans eg cooking pizza, bread etc like a mini oven.

Still looking a 5G access. Tech is always changing so deciding now is probably premature. Most likely solution is a cellphone hotspot with extended data that I can use throughout Europe (roaming)

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simonwilletts said:

Wow!....I only hope I get to have some of the adventures you clearlu do looking at your list.

some great thoughts ideas that I had not considered like the calapsable stuff that i did not know was available.

Can you reccomend specifics for the following numbers, 4,6,7, 17, 18, 22, 23.

Any thoughts on cupboard utilization for food, cutlery, plates and utensals and ensuring they dont rattle and stay in place when traveling especially off the beaten track?

best

Simon

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Corradobrit said:

9. leveling chocs

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66tim99 said:

Seconded for #22 - firepit please
I have ordered a Hofats Fire Basket from Sport Pursuit for £60. Hofats then sell a wooden board (to turn it into a seat) and a grill (to cook on) to fit the top. Looked like a good way of using space.
https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/2010177

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66tim99 said:

Seconded for #22 - firepit please
I have ordered a Hofats Fire Basket from Sport Pursuit for £60. Hofats then sell a wooden board (to turn it into a seat) and a grill (to cook on) to fit the top. Looked like a good way of using space.
https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/2010177

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California4x4 said:

This is my setup.
Post in thread 'Best barbecue?'
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/best-barbecue.34475/post-444655

The whole thread is a good one to delve into.

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simonwilletts said:

Wow!....I only hope I get to have some of the adventures you clearlu do looking at your list.

some great thoughts ideas that I had not considered like the calapsable stuff that i did not know was available.

Can you reccomend specifics for the following numbers, 4,6,7, 17, 18, 22, 23.

Any thoughts on cupboard utilization for food, cutlery, plates and utensals and ensuring they dont rattle and stay in place when traveling especially off the beaten track?

best

Simon

Click to expand...

simonwilletts said:

Wow!....I only hope I get to have some of the adventures you clearlu do looking at your list.

some great thoughts ideas that I had not considered like the calapsable stuff that i did not know was available.

Can you reccomend specifics for the following numbers, 4,6,7, 17, 18, 22, 23.

Any thoughts on cupboard utilization for food, cutlery, plates and utensals and ensuring they dont rattle and stay in place when traveling especially off the beaten track?

best

Simon

Click to expand...

simonwilletts said:

Wow!....I only hope I get to have some of the adventures you clearlu do looking at your list.

some great thoughts ideas that I had not considered like the calapsable stuff that i did not know was available.

Can you reccomend specifics for the following numbers, 4,6,7, 17, 18, 22, 23.

Any thoughts on cupboard utilization for food, cutlery, plates and utensals and ensuring they dont rattle and stay in place when traveling especially off the beaten track?

best

Simon

Click to expand...

simonwilletts said:

I guess 10 would be electric hookup....again thanks for your thoughts and good luck for September!

did you have any thoughts on which roof insulation you were looking at.

Hey and that Monkey company is the real deal....Quite like the idea of everything foldable and ergonomically thought through...which is why i am looking carefully at some of the storage systems which for the price of the van should be already built in or supplied, like the Van Essa storage and the use of the backs of chairs.....but everyone has to make a buck I suppose.

your thoughts on the portapotti I have seen and works but if you camping on sites you will have facilities and if you go wild .....then go really wild and copy the bears

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California4x4 said:

6. Have a look at this.
Post in thread 'Reserve gas supply'
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/reserve-gas-supply.36262/post-445374

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California4x4 said:

Context. I like to spend time in wild places and use my campervan as a base camp for outdoor activities. Different things come on different trips depending on the focus. So I’ll list most of them.

1. Upgraded tyres (studded in Norway, AT in the U.K.)
2. Hanging rail and folding hangars for drying clothing.
3. 12V dehumidifier
4. Some form of insulation for the pop-top and widescreen.
5. 2 x small camping stoves for outdoor cooking.
6. An quick release adapter mod for the main gas cylinder to make it easier to change canister and then one of the small camping gas canisters can be used as a backup.
7. Boxes for inside the storage spaces to make it quick and easy to pack and find things
8. A gardening knife/trowel for digging holes in the woods
9. Aeropress or moka pot for fresh coffee. Hand coffee grinder and milk frothed.
10. Yeti mugs that fit in cup holders and are bomb proof
11. Sea to summit inflatable mattress, wool topper, down duvet and down pillows for real luxurious sleeping
12. Quad lock iPhone case and mount
13. Waterproof seat covers
14. Small folding step and mat for sitting on while removing snow or mud covered boots outside.
15. Tefal ingenio pan set
16. Solar panel
17. Roof box
18. Modified awning foot brackets to secure the awning without tie down kit.
19. Tow ball bike carrier
20. Collapsible ladder for getting to roof box and cleaning snow off solar panel.
21. Snow chains
22. Collapsible fire pit with tripod and hanging grill.
23. Collapsible kettle
24. Milwaukee cordless compressor for airing up and down tyres
25. Selection of tools for repairs on the road
26. Small axe

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Aca_chap said:

Oooh which yeti mugs do you have? Love that brand!!!

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California4x4 said:

16oz rambler plus the magnetic close lid is the largest thermal mug I’ve found that fits in the ‘comfort dash’ mug holders. Two means they touch and sit at a very slight angle. I haven’t found another mug to last more than a year of regular use even from brands like Thermos.

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