🤣 yes sorry about the fact it was almost an hour long!! There's a lot to see and talk about with it!

Our pleasure!

I was hoping you give me a good reason to dislike it😂 niggles can be sorted 😊 bout the only thing I can see is I was hoping for a bed I didn’t have to make every night 😊

Great stuff! I can just imagine the fantastic time you must be having!

Glad you enjoyed it!

@@CampervanTime we saw you guys yesterday (Saturday? Browsing the accessories in Hall 4 as we were. We would have loved to have caught up, but we were all swept away in the crowds. Wow it was busy, but a great show 👍

Sorry about that, yes it was very busy yesterday. We need a new plan for next year because it was very tricky to film as you can imagine!! Sorry we missed you, hopefully next time eh!

Great to hear. Truma/CP thing - sure - if you look at the back of the truma control panel (get down on the floor with a torch) you'll see a load of plugs in the back of it. The one you need to unplug is a telephone type connector that has a brown and white wire - it's the lower one of the two telephone type connectors. Just use a little screwdriver or knife to lift the locking tab and pull it backwards out of the panel. Very easy to do without even unscrewing the panel. Job done!

@@CampervanTime Brilliant thanks Will/Sarah for such quick helpful advice. Good luck with your van deliberations!

We’d be thinking the same, Will she still fit in that crate?! Who knows!! If not she’d have to be tethered in a proper harness somewhere secure I suppose. Your upper bed sounds like fun!!

@@CampervanTime it certainly is, but I'm OK with it. We chose the LWB conversion over a California Ocean to benefit from the extra floor space for our dog, and us. He wears a harness and seat belt and is attached to the driver's seat from the back, he lies on his bed on the floor which is behind the driver's seat in front of the fridge. It works. I like the GC but I wouldn't want to drive or park that size of LV, nor do I want to clean a shower, loo, wash basin 😊 You could put a collapsible plastic bowl in the drop down sink to wash your face properly without the water running. Good luck with your decision making, maybe try to hire or borrow other alternatives to help with your research? Lots more Vlogs for us all to enjoy. I hope you get what you want soon. Cheers 🥂

Yep some interesting alternatives out there now with pop top options. Westfalia Columbus (albeit on a Ducato) can have a pop top too, as can the James Cook. Adria do them too of course.

Yep, water tank. That is a fixed panel (in the garage area) and under the mattress at the top there is a panel you can lift out to access the top of the tank, so emptying, water pump access etc.

Hello! Roof, no issues except possibly a little more prone to wind noise when doing 65+, so depends what speed you like to cruise at. Handling doesn't seem to have been affected by it at all, even with that upper bed in there. They also have cross wind assist as standard so if there is a sudden gust it will help you (we never felt/needed this in our week with it). 4-mo, well, I don't think we'd miss it but we're not really off grid swamper type campers, and the gearbox in the Grand being a different type of automatic (torque converter rather than DSG/double clutch) means it is much easier to control low speed take offs and control the power. This really helps with wet road pull aways from junctions. We have a driving 'point of view' style video at night coming up in a couple of weeks time, where we show the headlights, test the acceleration out of a wet junction etc. That may help you a bit more.

@@CampervanTime Brilliant, thank you so much for the detailed reply. Looking forward to your driving video :)

Thanks Andy We didn't have a problem with the toilet roll getting wet in the little cupboard even when I had quite a long shower in there. I wonder they've changed something on the latest builds? The upper ladder space thing is a bit of a Tetris joke really! It's very tight but obviously didn't bother us as there was just the two of us but good tip re access to upper bed without ladder!

Also note - if you buy a GC600 2 berth the front skylight is a lot smaller than the one you get if you have the extra bed.

@@The0Kuki not a lot to add its self explanatory - you get a much bigger front skylight if you order the extra bed - the option for the extra bed says -Over-cab bed, with access ladder, additional lighting and larger skylight - the normal skylight is 700x600 the larger one is 700x850mm

Of course - www.yescampervan.co.uk

My understanding from speaking to the dealers is that there is a hold on placing 4-mo orders rather than a full deleting, due to supply availability of some of the 4wd components (not sure which). So all Transporter and Crafter 4-mo options are currently not able to be ordered. I think they said this was for 12 months from when they were taken off the configurator, so that must be about 1-2 months ago now.

@@CampervanTime Thanks for getting back to me - sure do hope they start production again!

Our lips are sealed but will will start talking about our future van plans soon! Re price, yes, there are some things that I think a lot of people would either expect to get or just want to have on a Grand, so that does push the price up, although residuals should improve if they are significant items (awning, for example). A lot of it also depends on how you would plan to use the van. There is only the two of us, so we wouldn't order the top bed thing, for example, but we would want the diesel heating option to save on buying/worrying about gas all the time. Remember there are dealer discounts out there too for the Grand, and they're higher than the Cali, which makes it MUCH more competitive on price to something like an Adria etc.

Roxy is doing well thank you, a bit less bitey now which we're thankful for! Well I think you could make either work to be honest - the Grand has the garage space that you can put a proper crate in for travel if you wanted to (like we did) but if they are older and more sensible than Roxy then maybe you could do away with this and just tether inside on the bench seat or floor in front of the bench for travel. The shower at the back of the van being warm is one useful difference between the Cali and Grand Cali.

Thank you very much for your response!

I have a new T6.1 as well and the Android Auto is terrible as well. Have other new VAG group cars and dont have any of the issues we have on the van, so they must use a real cheapo or old version of the software on these vehicles. I get constant connection issues, error messages etc and its forever just losing the various apps from the list etc. Really poor.

I sympathise a lot! It’s really not good enough on a £70k car.

I wish they'd just fix it once and for all. We always seemed to be getting updates downloaded to it over the air but then nothing seemed to improve. It's taken VW a long while to sort out the id.3 software so I suspect that general team/department is swamped with bug fixes and work to sort out.

Hi! Yes, you can by them from Remis, if you search for VW Crafter Remis Cab Blinds you'll find them. They're expensive though!

@@CampervanTime Thanks one more time !!!!

Correct, we had two Californias before and we're thinking about something bigger. We like the thought of having a fixed bed and somewhere other than the main living space for the dog to go to sleep in. Having a toilet and shower with you (we think) is nice too, as we have stayed at some campsites where we really would have preferred anything other than their own showers(!) so having your own would be nice. There are advantages and disadvantages as you say.

Apologies for not covering that but you're right, it is an important part of a camper. The water pressure is certainly nowhere near the same as a house/flat, but it is enough for the sink/shower to function. Some people have fitted a larger pump to make the pressure better too.

@@CampervanTime ok, thanks for the quick reply

Not really, I'm not sure how you'd be able to do that.

Hi - Campervanbits.com - thanks

@@CampervanTime thank you

Quite a few people seem to buy a solar generator - or lithium powered 240v power supply and carry it with them for off grid 240v, or to charge the van batteries if off grid too. Some have fitted an inverter into the van itself with extra battery capacity too.

@@CampervanTime I would have thought that for the price that one would have been included.

yep!

We’ve gone with a Westfalia Sven Hedin, only 2 berth but suits us well. It’s based on the MAN TGE which is a Crafter with a different badge. There’s also a new Adria built on the same that’s worth looking at, but not so many built on MAN or VW base vehicles

Yes good choices I’ve also seen a new Knaus box drive 600 XL. Would love a review on that one 😉 I really love the little Ford Nugget Plus Tend high top. Shame they are not bringing one to the UK ☹️

Best to check the VW commercial website for latest prices, they seem to change all the time!

What do you find flawed about it out of interest? We're not keen on the rear lounge type layout and this style (ie GC 600 / 680 layout) seems to be becoming more and more common?

@@CampervanTime it’s the very cramped front layout and without rear lounge the only place to relax is “in bed”. Most of the Ducatos even if they have a fixed bed in the rear provide a much better front living area.

It is a little narrow there. It’s tricky really because the crafter isn’t the best base van because of its shape. Ducato is more boxy so suits it better. And that big bathroom too - takes quite a bit of space.

Start from £80,600 but more with options, however discounts (pretty sizeable) are out there on them too.

What a great choice to have to make! So many lovely vans on the market and the Ford Nugget is very nice and well thought through. Westfalia have done a good job on the conversion there for sure. They are quite different vans though, with the obvious size, length, interior feature differences. If you're trying to replace a car then probably the Nugget (or a Westfalia Club Joker City perhaps??), or if you're not, then a larger Crafter/MAN TGE/Sprinter type van would be great I'd think. I agree with Mark below, there are a lot of opinions on the Grand Cali out there, many of them from people who haven't driven, owned or camped in one so just read wisely!

We have a Nugget and love it. We have owned 2 Cali’s in the past plus larger 5.4m vans but, for us, the Nugget is the best yet.

She doesn't live in there! When travelling it's for her safety and she enjoys it as her own safe space. At home we can leave the door open on her crate and she'll take herself off in there if she wants to. Totally agree about the running though... She loves to run! 🤣

🤣 function over form perhaps?!

Of course the roof bed is a waste of space ........... unless you need it for people to sleep in! With three adults, or two adults and two children, it's essential, and we've found it works very well

We just have been doing it wrong in our Calis for the last four years then as we always found that if you wanted the pop top to be warm you'd probably roast the lower level (poor dog!). We always found that the aluminium rails in the floor felt cold underfoot almost regardless of heating settings and the cold draft from inside the kitchen cupboards (bare metal rear wall!) also always felt chilly in the winter months. From our experience in being away in this van for that weekend we did thread it down some nice tight lanes and park in several beach front carparks without really worrying about it. We just overhung the back of the van over a grassy area (ie pick the space wisely) and that make it no longer than a car. We've not had a caravan but that must be tricky on tight country lanes too?

@@CampervanTime I haven't got a caravan, I have a LWB pop top. Just been away to Keswick end of Jan for 3 days, warm as toast throughout. As for the caravan, as opposed to a large van or motorhome. You drive to the campsite on wider nicer roads generally, park it up, then go and explore in the car. In a large van, you can't do that, you are more or less stuck in the campsite or if you do go out, you have to find massive car parks to put it. I have even seen large motorhome and large van owners use public transport after arriving on site, which is rubbish. No I will stick with my pop top, small enough to explore but just large enough to live in on a holiday, the best of both worlds. There is no perfect solution though. If you want extra heat in the pop top, use an electric blanket. There are only two of us so we always put the pop top down at bed time anyway. If I wanted more space and flexibility for four people and a dog, I would buy a caravan. A bailey phoenix 640 would be my advice and a good savings account for the over £60k you would save over the grand california and have a better user experience as well.Grand Californias are just too expensive, big and inflexible in use.

The Nugget Plus High Top is a great van there is no doubt. Westfalia have done a lovely job of the conversion, much like they do on their own branded vans. What is nice these days is the choice on the market, so whatever anyone happens to be looking for usually can be catered for.

Depends if you need one at all I suppose and even if you do, what age / size you need but it is a bit tricky with the ladder. In the Free 600 we looked at the bathroom seemed to have a low roof/not a lot of head room and also used a curtain too though. I’m still also not sure about a pop top on a bigger van, but that might just be me! So good that there is so much choice out there for everyone though.

@@CampervanTime absolutely, if you don’t need a second bed, there’s little point in the Poptop. Yes bathroom is tight. Just enough space IMO. To be honest, the shower will be a once in a blue moon. It’s really for the toilet, brushing teeth and hanging towels. Have you looked at the Columbus. That van impressed me the most, but didn’t want to spend the best part of £100k. Worth noting, the latest hymers have had some major upgrades. Water tank under the van, creating even more garage space, rear seat reclines slightly and it has a new multi purpose fixing board, which looks very useful. Worth a look 👍🏾

Sounds good, will take a look at the latest Hymers. The Columbus is fantastic but if we do have a bigger van I don't think we'd move away from wanting a Crafter / MAN platform (or Sprinter), because of how well they drive. I know that compromises the interior because they are narrower inside than the Ducato but... So that brings us back to the Sven Hedin then, but then there is the price issue there too.... Decisions decisions !

@@CampervanTime my Fiat 2022 van is the biggest let down. It’s ok, but no Volkswagen. Saying that Volkswagen build isn’t what it used to be. I drive a little Ford Connect for work and really impressed with the van. I’ve also used the bigger version and think it’s great. Possibly better than Volkswagen T-range. I wish more converters would use the big transit. Another point worth noting. I have the Truma combi gas/electric system. Get the diesel version. Truma Gas eats through a bottle in no time. I’m considering changing out a brand new combi gas boiler to diesel…

I've heard on the grapevine that Westfalia are looking at bringing their LHD big transit van they sell in Europe to the UK market - it looks great! Re Truma, yes absolutely!! The loan Grand had diesel heating and it worked brilliantly as you'd expect. Can't understand why manufacturers fit the gas one to be honest.

Some say coffin, some say cosy! Large van conversions are a half way house between a campervan and a motorhome I think. Motorhome to me says coachbuild on a ladder chassis, which has both advantages and disadvantages at the same time too.