Essential things to buy now the van is ordered?

[PhilR]

We’ve now ordered the Cali, so what else is there to do whilst waiting than to think about spending more money!

What are essential purchases, although some non essential ones would be interesting to consider?

So far I’m thinking....Essential - gas bottle, rear boot lip protector (we have dogs), seat covers (we have dogs!), porta potti, Ghost immobiliser.

Non-essential - this could be a big list, but as a start, and these may be essential - carpet, cover for pop top canvas, windscreen cover.

I bet there’s loads I haven’t thought of...

 

[WelshGas]

We’ve now ordered the Cali, so what else is there to do whilst waiting than to think about spending more money!

What are essential purchases, although some non essential ones would be interesting to consider?

So far I’m thinking....Essential - gas bottle, rear boot lip protector (we have dogs), seat covers (we have dogs!), porta potti, Ghost immobiliser.

Non-essential - this could be a big list, but as a start, and these may be essential - carpet, cover for pop top canvas, windscreen cover.

I bet there’s loads I haven’t thought of...

Are you planning on eating, drinking and cooking in the California?

 

[Beeechke1]

Other essentials to think about:

• Electrical Hook up cable with various plugs to allow home charging and campsite hook up, I prefer two shorter lengths (10m + 15m) can be used singularly or joined together for maximum flexibility.
• A means to fill your fresh water tank both at home and out on the road, some carry lengths of hose plus selection of tap fittings I prefer a 10Lt water container with spout.
• The wind out awning needs needs extra tie down kit in anything but windless conditions for some piece of mind

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Essential -
Hook up cable.
Wine.

Non essential -
Sparesafe.
Rear slide out shelf and Eurocrates.
Bellows Bungee.
Extra kitchen drawers.
Dunelm Ottoman (to cover the portapotti. Doubles as a seat)

 

[This Eva]

The shame for all of is is the lack of the big exhibitions at places such as the NEC. It is possible for the early season one to go ahead 23rd to 28th Feb 2012 but like me Phil you should have your van on your drive or in your garage by then so will be wanting to kit out the van sooner. A bus and beyond pop top video is worth watching. 25m cable, a winder and bag, to keep it all nice Vcool make a lovely bag. use gumtree to get a local (Tamworth 4 you I think ) 907 camping gas bottle then exchange for a full one.

Porta potti 335 cube is the major talking point. some say yes some say no.... lots to buy take your time

 

[AlisonF]

With dogs I opted for no carpet and bought smaller washable mats and vet bed. Easier to keep clean.
Some basic crockery, cutlery, cups & glasses, and a pan or two if you plan to cook.
Maybe a small BBQ (I use mine at home as well as away).
Mattress topper.

I went overboard and bought the Vango Kela, external and internal topper and isolite extreme before my van arrived. Haven’t regretted it at all.

 

[scabrero]

I received mine three months ago and this is my list:
- Gas bottle
- A shelve kit for the closet to replace the "stick"
- Tailor made duvet for the top bed. It is like a sleeping bag for two person with a zip around. There are specialized online shops, this is the one I ordered from https://tinyurl.com/y3rd4gva
- A pair of pillows, from our previous van https://tinyurl.com/y6ff2mrh
- Portapotty also from our previous van
- KATADYN micropur for the clean water tank

Enjoy!

 

[LucyYorkshire]

Hi Phil. I ordered my Cali from Guy a few days before you so I’ll be watching this thread with interest! I never knew I had so much time on my hands to research all things VW Cali related - I am beginning to think I’m obsessed! As much as I don’t want to be burdened with them I’ve also got a Safari Room and/or awning on the list as I have 3 dogs (2 big) and it will just give us a bit more room during the day if the weather’s bad.

 

[Bartje]

I received mine three months ago and this is my list:
- Gas bottle
- A shelve kit for the closet to replace the "stick"
- Tailor made duvet for the top bed. It is like a sleeping bag for two person with a zip around. There are specialized online shops, this is the one I ordered from https://tinyurl.com/y3rd4gva
- A pair of pillows, from our previous van https://tinyurl.com/y6ff2mrh
- Portapotty also from our previous van
- KATADYN micropur for the clean water tank

Enjoy!

Your Cali must be a 2019 purchase then ;-(

 

[toeknee]

Essential -
Hook up cable.
Wine.

Non essential -
Sparesafe.
Rear slide out shelf and Eurocrates.
Bellows Bungee.
Extra kitchen drawers.
Dunelm Ottoman (to cover the portapotti. Doubles as a seat)

One essential you missed: more wine

 

[Nick.C]

One essential you missed: more wine

And don’t forget - even more wine!

 

[scabrero]

Your Cali must be a 2019 purchase then ;-(

I am curious, how do you know? Is the closet shipped with shelves now? I think it was manufactured in Nov 2019, but I bought it from stock.

 

[AlisonF]

Sorry @PhilR I have to agree with @toeknee and @Nick.C ... more wine works. Especially if you camp in NE Scotland...
And apologies if I’m encouraging the thread to go off topic.

 

[This Eva]

Think of how things will travel in the van. Reduce rattles on plates etc by looking at brunner crockery, plates and bowls can come with anti slip rings underneath that stops clatter when driving. Set of drawers to go under sink £325 a bit steep but gives full access plus stores the silicon fold up kettle.

none essential shelf for ViewSonic M1+ projector. Movie nights in when raining outside

 

[Karlos]

We’ve now ordered the Cali, so what else is there to do whilst waiting than to think about spending more money!

What are essential purchases, although some non essential ones would be interesting to consider?

So far I’m thinking....Essential - gas bottle, rear boot lip protector (we have dogs), seat covers (we have dogs!), porta potti, Ghost immobiliser.

Non-essential - this could be a big list, but as a start, and these may be essential - carpet, cover for pop top canvas, windscreen cover.

I bet there’s loads I haven’t thought of...

Hi Phil



Firstly have you been camping before, if so a lot of what you have can be used in the Cali.

Keep it simple and work out what you need when it arrives and you are using it, we for instance used our own duvets and pillows from home. We always travelled light but this year we did buy a Porta Potti and toilet tent which has come in useful this year.
Best of luck.

 

[Bartje]

I am curious, how do you know? Is the closet shipped with shelves now? I think it was manufactured in Nov 2019, but I bought it from stock.

We ordered one early februari. Still waiting for it to be manufactured. :-(

 

[Wogga]

Phil this may help. my loading list I used for my Moho

 

[Elmo3]

Buy as little as possible. There’s not really much you actually ‘need’. All the elaborate set ups you see defeat the object of a Cali for me.

 

[Calimili]

Before giving you advice we'd have to know what kind of camping you want to do.
Short or long stay? Campsites or boondocking offgrid? Cooking or eating out?
Levelling ramp and hook up cable will be needed anyway. I have a 30m that fits above engine battery, 1 single cable as i don't fancy connections of cables under the rain.
You'll have to decide once using it if you need modifications to the storage compartments, under the sink, wardrobe or boot. It's really down to personal preference.

 

[PhilR]

Are you planning on eating, drinking and cooking in the California?

I like the idea of the first two, but not the last. Will keep that to a minimum!!

 

[PhilR]

Hi Phil. I ordered my Cali from Guy a few days before you so I’ll be watching this thread with interest! I never knew I had so much time on my hands to research all things VW Cali related - I am beginning to think I’m obsessed! As much as I don’t want to be burdened with them I’ve also got a Safari Room and/or awning on the list as I have 3 dogs (2 big) and it will just give us a bit more room during the day if the weather’s bad.

Lol, I am definitely obsessed by it all at the moment!! Have you had a build date yet? I asked Guy yesterday but he said he was still waiting for a date.

 

[PhilR]

Hi Phil



Firstly have you been camping before, if so a lot of what you have can be used in the Cali.

Keep it simple and work out what you need when it arrives and you are using it, we for instance used our own duvets and pillows from home. We always travelled light but this year we did buy a Porta Potti and toilet tent which has come in useful this year.
Best of luck.

Yes, camped loads in the past. Still got the tents and all the bits from that.

 

[PhilR]

Before giving you advice we'd have to know what kind of camping you want to do.
Short or long stay? Campsites or boondocking offgrid? Cooking or eating out?
Levelling ramp and hook up cable will be needed anyway. I have a 30m that fits above engine battery, 1 single cable as i don't fancy connections of cables under the rain.
You'll have to decide once using it if you need modifications to the storage compartments, under the sink, wardrobe or boot. It's really down to personal preference.

A mixture of all. But mostly for day trips and weekends to start. Europe trips later. Just need to get the essentials to start. Thanks. Great tips/ideas here so far

 

[LucyYorkshire]

Lol, I am definitely obsessed by it all at the moment!! Have you had a build date yet? I asked Guy yesterday but he said he was still waiting for a date.

No date yet. I’ve asked on the online VW chat site a couple of times but they said to come back next week. They gave me an order number which means I can stalk my van on a regular basis. I’ll let you know as soon as I get a date! I’ve gone for 4motion, hill descent, diff lock, tow bar, extra keys, bigger petrol tank, discover media pro, traffic sign recognition and upgraded battery in Indium Grey. So if yours has less stuff on it (or all your parts are in stock and mine aren’t) you might get yours before mine as apparently it can work like that.

 

[Tony Hickson]

Small brush. As in dustpan and brush type brush. The floor in the back of ours seems to get quite mucky. A brush that lives in the under the seat drawer makes it easy to quickly sweep out.

Door mat. Something thin and water proof-ish. Lives on the floor in back of van. When parked up with the awning out goes on the floor outside. Means you can take your shoes off outside the van and stand on the mat before entering.

Makes me seem like a clean-freak. Which I don't think I am - just things I've found make life easier with two kids, two adults and a dog in the van!

Levelling ramps. Doesn't look like anyone else has mentioned these so far. Whilst denying being a clean-freak, I will admit to being quite particular about having a level van for sleeping!