Tips when picking up new California?

[WolfPack]

take as long as you need to get the dealer to explain how things work. ENJOY the van and the new car smell

It is worth checking that all loose bits are present when taking delivery. In my case the folding table that clips inside the sliding door was missing and the magnetic blinds for the cab side windows were missing. (All other blinds are built-in.) The little optional extra torch was NOT missing, but I was advised that it often disappears in transit. It is worth checking the folding chairs in the rear door too. There is no shipping list so the dealer needs to check things over with you. In my case the dealer was very good and got the missing items for me within a few days.

With best wishes, WolfPack

 

[AlisonF]

It is worth checking that all loose bits are present when taking delivery. In my case the folding table that clips inside the sliding door was missing and the magnetic blinds for the cab side windows were missing. (All other blinds are built-in.) The little optional extra torch was NOT missing, but I was advised that it often disappears in transit. It is worth checking the folding chairs in the rear door too. There is no shipping list so the dealer needs to check things over with you. In my case the dealer was very good and got the missing items for me within a few days.

With best wishes, WolfPack

Thanks for the tip Wolfpack.

I've now extended the 1 page download to around 3.5 pages. Basically I am not only checking that everything is present and correct, but am also wanting them to demo that everything works as it should. e.g. the demo vehicle had a dodgy extendable leg on kitchen table... we already discovered on Friday that the windscreen blinds don't close properly... and when I asked about the gas system safety valves was told I'd need to go to a nearby caravan dealer. Ehm, I'm not buying the van from a caravan dealer...

I really hope I'm not being fobbed off as I'm female. They may just have to learn the hard way that that is not a good idea... Fortunately, one of my VW nut neighbours is on leave this week so he and I will each have a long checklist of things to go through before I part with my hard earned cash. He has strict instructions to ask lots of questions and not be fobbed off by wishy washy answers...

 

[Aidy P]

Hi @AlisonF could you please post your revised handover check-list on this thread? It would certainly help me with my handover on Thursday. I've had to delay my handover because of work Thank you

(Or PM me please and I'll give you my email if that's easier)

 

[AlisonF]

Sent a PM

 

[Angus Morgan]

Hi Alison, I would also be interested in your revised list. Just been told mine is on its way from Germany! Thanks!

 

[AlisonF]

Thanks for the positive responses. I'll test it out tomorrow and get some feedback from my neighbour joining me, hopefully Aidy can also add his thoughts after Thursday and then I can get an updated view off to the moderators to be uploaded. I really want to tidy it up and split it into sections before I share it as it reads as a brain dump at the moment - that's because it is a brain dump - and may have far too much detail for most people (I'm totally new to campers, VW, and Cali's).

 

[SimonB]

Thanks for the tip Wolfpack.

I've now extended the 1 page download to around 3.5 pages. Basically I am not only checking that everything is present and correct, but am also wanting them to demo that everything works as it should. e.g. the demo vehicle had a dodgy extendable leg on kitchen table... we already discovered on Friday that the windscreen blinds don't close properly... and when I asked about the gas system safety valves was told I'd need to go to a nearby caravan dealer. Ehm, I'm not buying the van from a caravan dealer...

I really hope I'm not being fobbed off as I'm female. They may just have to learn the hard way that that is not a good idea... Fortunately, one of my VW nut neighbours is on leave this week so he and I will each have a long checklist of things to go through before I part with my hard earned cash. He has strict instructions to ask lots of questions and not be fobbed off by wishy washy answers...

Exciting day to look forward to AlisonF. We got ours at the end of October last year and are still learning every time we use it. Best purchase we have ever made.
Could I suggest you ask where the reset button is for the tyre pressure warning light is. The link is to my thread on it. https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/tyre-pressure-warning-light.12527/#post-124743 . This is something that is not written accurately in the handbook.The reset needs to be used whenever you do all sorts of things to the wheels and the warning light scared us when it came on as there was actually nothing wrong. It was a wet Saturday and after trying to find it ourselves I rang our dealership and they suggested lots of locations before a mechanic suggested the location that worked. It is found in different places in different models, apparently. Simon

 

[AlisonF]

Simon
Thanks. I've added to the list and will also check the T6 handbook when I get my grubby paws on it (or before the dogs do).
If anyone else has any other tips - PM me or post them here.
Heavens, I'm now on the list for most posts and haven't ever owned a Cali - until tomorrow...
Alison

 

[theonecraw]

Best thing I could have done when I picked up my Cali is take a well seasoned Cali veteran from the forum to give it a once over...

Then the next best thing you can do is to go and use it. yes, you might tear the roof, yes, you might scratch the plastic panel by the drivers door when you badly turn the chair, yes, you might fill up the water with it pouring out the bottom of the van, yes, you might try and boil the kettle with the gas on at the bottle and still wonder why the ring won't light, yes, you might take far too much stuff when you first sleep out, yes, you might wonder why the plug socked won't charge your laptop, yes, you might have no idea where the fuel cap is, yes, you might freeze your food by putting the fridge on MAX, yes, you might come down from a nice sleep in the pop top to a sauna because you had the AUX heater on higher than number 2... All these things you will learn and it's damn good fun doing so. Enjoy!

 

[Bobcat01]

Good evening Alison, I assume your getting your van from your local dealer. Having picked up my Cali last year and used the pick up checklist I was genuinely very suprised at how little the so called dealership Cali expert knew. There were quite a few things that were on the checklist that they said were extras or not included only for me to find them myself when looking around during the collection. The warning triangle, tent pegs and table strap were a few that come to mind. Hope all goes well and if I can be of any assistance let me know. PS we must have enough Aberdeen members to have a mini meet now.

 

[benArrayx]

Thanks for the positive responses. I'll test it out tomorrow and get some feedback from my neighbour joining me, hopefully Aidy can also add his thoughts after Thursday and then I can get an updated view off to the moderators to be uploaded. I really want to tidy it up and split it into sections before I share it as it reads as a brain dump at the moment - that's because it is a brain dump - and may have far too much detail for most people (I'm totally new to campers, VW, and Cali's).

Good luck tomorrow! I'm getting mine in around a week, will definitely appreciate very much your list

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[Lockey]

Enjoy your collection tomorrow, I'm picking mine up Thursday. Can't wait!
The first things I will look for are door dings. These are my big pet hate. Look down the flanks in good light to be sure. If the van is wet get them to leather it off.
I picked up a new M4 last summer and it had a ding in the drivers door. Very annoying in a new vehicle. Of course they fixed it but it spoiled the weekend a bit. Good luck.

 

[Kevin&Becci]

Great replies everyone. We pick ours up from Colindale dealer on Friday and will use the lists and discussions to check as much as possible. Oh if only we knew a Cali veteran to come and give the dealer a grilling!

 

[Kevin&Becci]

Simon
Thanks. I've added to the list and will also check the T6 handbook when I get my grubby paws on it (or before the dogs do).
If anyone else has any other tips - PM me or post them here.
Heavens, I'm now on the list for most posts and haven't ever owned a Cali - until tomorrow...
Alison

Hi Alison, we pick up our van on Friday. It sounds like you have a comprehensive check list. How did the list go down with the dealer?
Is there any chance you could publish it or PM us.
Kevin and Becci

 

[Chris H]

Would love a copy of the list aswell as ours is due I'm next few weeks.

 

[AlisonF]

Hi
I wasn't planning on posting this until I'd got feedback from a few others and had chance to tidy it up (the logic isn't quite in line with the vehicle inspection which would be really handy to save flipping through the document). Clearly, the choices relate to the options on my vehicle and will need to be modified for others. Also the comments are my personal views, so not meant to cause any discussion / upset / offence.
It's my first camper, VW and Cali so I wanted a comprehensive list to ensure I didn't miss something in the excitement. I gave a copy to my friend and he also found it handy as he could potter around the vehicle ticking stuff off whilst I was with the VW guy going through stuff. It still took well over 2 hours...
I'm posting it now as I did actually find it a great reminder and there was stuff on it the VW guy has missed out (on a few items he went for the handbook as didn't know the answer). Also I'm not going to get chance to update it for a couple of weeks. Hope it helps others, but remember to personalise it against your opiotn list from your order and it is a 'work on progress'.
If there's any glaring omissions let me know and I'll tidy it up for the forum guys to upload once I'm back from Crufts.
Now of to get the window tint on the Silver Dream Machine
Alison

 

[calimera]

Really useful. Have great time at crufts

 

[Angus Morgan]

Wow, thanks Alison, that is fantastically useful! Have fun in the silver dream machine!!

 

[Silver]

Alison

Many thanks....this will be very useful when I pick up my California in a few weeks time.

Cheers

 

[Chris H]

Thanks, dealer just mailed me 1 week to 10 days till I get it. Wohoo!!

 

[AlisonF]

Exciting day to look forward to AlisonF. We got ours at the end of October last year and are still learning every time we use it. Best purchase we have ever made.
Could I suggest you ask where the reset button is for the tyre pressure warning light is. The link is to my thread on it. https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/tyre-pressure-warning-light.12527/#post-124743 . This is something that is not written accurately in the handbook.The reset needs to be used whenever you do all sorts of things to the wheels and the warning light scared us when it came on as there was actually nothing wrong. It was a wet Saturday and after trying to find it ourselves I rang our dealership and they suggested lots of locations before a mechanic suggested the location that worked. It is found in different places in different models, apparently. Simon

SimonB - I don't quite believe this. I put your advice at the end of my list, handwritten. And it was the ONE thing we didn't push for during handover (as I said in another thread the VW guy was going for the handbook on stuff I already had an idea of the answer thanks to this forum so wasn't pushing it...). Anyway, today I dropped the 'van' off to get the window tints done. Guess what happened on the way there - yep - the tyre pressure warning light came on saying it needed to be re-set. I've driven less than 10 miles since picking it up yesterday. Unfortunately I've left the handbooks in the van so once I get it back tomorrow will be off to VW to get them to show me what to do. I'll check out your post thoroughly first

 

[TomC]

Torture. My 'Mystery Machine' has been delivered and family have been having brilliant fun playing in it last night. Im on a stinking business trip on the other side of the world and cant wait to get back. The kids were ecstatic! My 2 year old thinks Daddy built it,
probably because Ive been talking about it non stop.

 

[SimonB]

SimonB - I don't quite believe this. I put your advice at the end of my list, handwritten. And it was the ONE thing we didn't push for during handover (as I said in another thread the VW guy was going for the handbook on stuff I already had an idea of the answer thanks to this forum so wasn't pushing it...). Anyway, today I dropped the 'van' off to get the window tints done. Guess what happened on the way there - yep - the tyre pressure warning light came on saying it needed to be re-set. I've driven less than 10 miles since picking it up yesterday. Unfortunately I've left the handbooks in the van so once I get it back tomorrow will be off to VW to get them to show me what to do. I'll check out your post thoroughly first

Sorry to hear this Alison. Your post after collecting was so enthusiastic and we completely understand the big smile reference. We both retired just before buying the Cali so we have to keep the smug faces under control too.
I changed the wheels on our Cali to winter ones and drove all the way to Chichester and back without setting it off. But a 20 mile Saturday drive was enough.
I think you'll find the reset on the end of the windscreen wiper stalk, I think there is a link to an article from Welsh Gas explaining how to use it. 10 miles is unreasonably quick to set it off. I would definitely ask your dealer before resetting it just in case it is measuring something wrong.
You are going to have such fun with the Silver Dream Machine, please post some photos of how Crufts goes.
We still can't believe it is ours. Best wishes Simon

 

[YoungChevalier]

Some great tips on here about what to look out for on collection. Thanks to all those who have contributed. Picked up my Ocean yesterday and one or two other minor bits to think about:

Extension strap to allow kitchen table to attach to headrest to make extended worktop,
4 pegs to peg down the factory awning feet,
Removable kitchen cup holder thingy with ashtray insert,
Sink plug,
12v torch, neat little thing, packed beside the front side blackout screens (was optional extra but I didn't order it - now standard?)
Euro 2 pin EHU adaptor,
Confirm awning handle is in drawer,
Gas safety certificate,
I asked for some evidence that the optional extended warranty was in place as it appears that this is simply logged on VW computer systems with no customer booklet, but this is probably me and my 'trust issues'...
First aid kit and warning triangle within the same zip bag in kitchen cupboard.

And following the advice here, I confirmed that the tyre pressure reset was within the menu settings on the multi function display and was not a physical button as I was used to.

Hope thus is handy for other members.

 

[Chris H]

Well been to the dealer and its due in early next week, so picking up the following week as working away. Getting excited now.