OCEAN to BEACH

[WelshGas]

No. Definitely campervan mode for camping. If you like, a campervan in MPV mode for getting to the campsite.

But if you have to be camping to be a campervan, what is an Ocean when not camping?

A Campervan, nothing less.
As I said, Beach MPV fitted out to go camping. Nothing wrong with that, unless of course you disagree, which you will.

 

[The Blue Merle]

A Campervan, nothing less.
As I said, Beach MPV fitted out to go camping. Nothing wrong with that, unless of course you disagree, which you will.

I still haven’t heard or seen of any mpv with two beds and electric hookup with a consumer unit fitted, but maybe you can prove me wrong

 

[The Blue Merle]

With the boot filled with a kitchen. Where do you store other stuff. Like walking boots, clothes and other bits and bobs…?
Has to be one of the stupidest ideas ever.

I watched ABAB Vlog this morning.
Did have a little chuckle to myself, when they said the bed has to be made and in the seated position before the useless flippy stove can be used…

Must admit. I had bed envy at one point and then I saw how organised it looked in camp mode. The memories came blooding back and I felt very thankful that I’m now in the Ocean…

View attachment 84611

Yes it did look like chaos, but I think most people’s vans do the first time they go camping in them.
That’s a shame VW didn’t put more thought into the pop out hob, they sounded a little disappointed I thought finding that out.
So good to highlight for others, as this could sway someone’s decision.

 

[subthree]

Surely people have something better to do...

 

[soulstyledevon]

Yes it did look like chaos, but I think most people’s vans do the first time they go camping in them.
That’s a shame VW didn’t put more thought into the pop out hob, they sounded a little disappointed I thought finding that out.
So good to highlight for others, as this could sway someone’s decision.

Like their new wheels/suspension setup and the Brand stripes were a nice touch.

 

[The Blue Merle]

Surely people have something better to do...

I’m sat in the sun next to my campervan (well that’s if I’m allowed to call my joker that), enjoying the reading the posts. Better than my Ben Fogle book

 

[WelshGas]

I still haven’t heard or seen of any mpv with two beds and electric hookup with a consumer unit fitted, but maybe you can prove me wrong

There was a German company that did a conversion like the Beach.
No your correct in the world of MPVs there is nothing like the Beach but also amongst the world of Campervan manufacturers and converters there aren't any Campervans with just a hookup consumer unit and 2 beds, to my knowledge.

 

[The Blue Merle]

There was a German company that did a conversion like the Beach.
No your correct in the world of MPVs there is nothing like the Beach but also amongst the world of Campervan manufacturers and converters there aren't any Campervans with just a hookup consumer unit and 2 beds, to my knowledge.

Vanworxs do something very similar to a beach and any converter out there will do a campervan to whatever spec you want.
I think you’ve lost the concept of the campervan life style.
Get out and enjoy nature in that transporter or maybe you work for dvla

 

[RoB5urf]

The cost of buying a new Beach was a stretch for us. Had I walked into a dealership with more funds available I would have been tempted by the Ocean. The Ocean, with all its gadgets and gizmos looks very tempting in the showroom, the Beach by comparison looks very bland. Turns out the Beach is perfect for us, in ways I hadn't considered. I wonder how many others may have been seduced by the Ocean package without considering how they would use it?

 

[WelshGas]

Vanworxs do something very similar to a beach and any converter out there will do a campervan to whatever spec you want.
I think you’ve lost the concept of the campervan life style.
Get out and enjoy nature in that transporter or maybe you work for dvla

Probably spend more time in my Campervan, using it for its intended purpose than many Beach Owners who seem to spend their time boasting how many people they can carry, household contents , chickens etc and occasionally take their vehicle camping after they've loaded it up with fridge, cooker, water containers and the awning and debating whether it is a large car or a "Campervan" when it comes to ferries or Euroshuttle.

 

[Borris]

We're off to Slimbridge this week to spend several days of disorganised chaos in our bargain basement VW California MPV. Oh those pesky Tupperware boxes!!! Being only a "day van", lord knows how we are going to manage at night. The main question though is how are we going to last four nights not being able to make a brew or cook a decent meal?

Not being a proper camper van poses many serious problems that will certainly keep us awake at night. Important questions such as, how will we dispose of our grey water responsibly? What would we put in a safe if we had one? How will we manage with only 10litres of water? Why didn't we save up the extra spondulicks necessary to afford one of those swanky drooping electric roofs?

We will no doubt end up looking on in envy at the warm lights of those posh peoples campervans whilst they tuck into their Pot noodles and Cuppa soups. So if you see a forlorn couple with their noses pressed up against your windows spare a thought for those less fortunate.

Seriously, the utter codswallop content of this thread seems to be higher than usual and I've just added to it.

 

[dripster]

It's great that this is the most popular thread for ages, I'm surprised people aren't unsubscribing in their droves! And what do all those Nugget and Marco Polo owners do without such arguments to keep them busy?

Still at least I know my place as an MPV-owning pleb.

I'll skulk away back to the shadows...

 

[jMacdent]

We're off to Slimbridge this week to spend several days of disorganised chaos in our bargain basement VW California MPV. Oh those pesky Tupperware boxes!!! Being only a "day van", lord knows how we are going to manage at night. The main question though is how are we going to last four nights not being able to make a brew or cook a decent meal.

Not being a proper camper van poses many serious problems that will certainly keep us awake at night. Important questions such as, how will we dispose of our grey water responsibly? What would we put in a safe if we had one? How will we manage with only 10litres of water? Why didn't we save up the extra spondulicks necessary to afford one of those swanky drooping electric roofs?

We will no doubt end up looking on in envy at the warm lights of those posh peoples campervans whilst they tuck into their Pot noodles and Cuppa soups. So if you see a forlorn couple with their noses pressed up against your windows spare a thought for those less fortunate.

Seriously, the utter codswallop content of this thread seems to be higher than usual and I've just added to it.

Borris, I know I could look back and see but do you have solar?

 

[Kemper-van]

There was a German company that did a conversion like the Beach.
No your correct in the world of MPVs there is nothing like the Beach but also amongst the world of Campervan manufacturers and converters there aren't any Campervans with just a hookup consumer unit and 2 beds, to my knowledge.

Yes, there are alternatives: they’re called Marco Polo Horizon & Marco Polo Activity by Mercedes.

3 seats in the back, pop-top roof, no space eating fixed kitchen cabinets, and potentially up to 8 passengers.

 

[JG220]

I can empathise with you entirely. Started to write something on this thread yesterday in a ‘similar‘ vein but felt it would provoke more than debate. I placed an order on an Ocean last year..on this very day. 4Motion with loads of options because it somehow seemed logical (based on the VW dialogue) that this would be the best. Obviously the most complete, technologically advanced, fully specced trim available. Coming from a tent camping background, we had little or no Campervan experience and subsequently turned to this forum for knowledge and input. It would have been prudent to join the forum earlier as in all the excitement and euphoria, I hadn’t really thought through how, as a family of 4 with a dog (and always camping with family, friends and neighbours) we were going to incorporate the van into our style of camping. In hindsight and in all honesty, I just wanted to buy the most expensive model. 9 months of forum does tend to open your eyes and throw in some questions.…like when the kids come downstairs for early morning cuddles (with the dog) where do we all fit on a 114cm bed? I know the counter argument is to say don’t bother with the cuddles?…. The Ocean, Coast and Beach are all wonderful in their own right but in my mind, just lend themselves specifically/individually to persons of a certain demographic and circumstance.

I would say this is spot on. And while there are plenty who not fit into the generalisations.

Ocean: Couple, maybe with dog

Beach: Family of 4, maybe needing versatility of van/multiple seats.

Goes off to read the next 10pages of this thread....

 

[JG220]

I know it is, but not according to DVLA's own definition. The fact that VW have convinced them, although some Beach owners do have MPV on their V5c, doesn't make it right and many Self Converters can no longer change their Body Type and are left with " Van with Windows" on their documentation and hence lose out in many ways.

As a MPV, multi purpose vehicle, it is excellent , no argument, and as a MPV that you can take camping, no argument, but a Campervan or Motor Caravan as DVLA describe it , it is not.

My T6 Ocean had MPV on the V5...

 

[jMacdent]

Probably spend more time in my Campervan, using it for its intended purpose than many Beach Owners who seem to spend their time boasting how many people they can carry, household contents , chickens etc and occasionally take their vehicle camping after they've loaded it up with fridge, cooker, water containers and the awning and debating whether it is a large car or a "Campervan" when it comes to ferries or Euroshuttle.

WG, is the Beach Camper not a Campervan to you because it doesn’t have a fridge and cupboard space which are fixed and present from inception?

 

[jMacdent]

My T6 Ocean had MPV on the V5...

JG220, inflammatory for contrary sake?

 

[dripster]

Yes, there are alternatives: they’re called Marco Polo Horizon & Marco Polo Activity by Mercedes.

3 seats in the back, pop-top roof, no space eating fixed kitchen cabinets, and potentially up to 8 passengers.

Wait a minute, the MP Horizon & Activity are camper vans according to Mercedes!
"The Marco Polo ACTIVITY is the variable and economical camper van for families and those who like spontaneous leisure activities." (presumably once they've loaded the tupperware boxes, the fridge and the cooker.
"...you will appreciate the Marco Polo HORIZON in everyday life just as much as you do in its role as a camper van"

But my Beach isn't. Now I'm even more confused. Life is clearly simpler with a Mercedes.

 

[WelshGas]

WG, is the Beach Camper not a Campervan to you because it doesn’t have a fridge and cupboard space which are fixed and present from inception?

Correct.

 

[WelshGas]

My T6 Ocean had MPV on the V5...

And you got caught by the Luxury Car Tax I presume.

 

[jMacdent]

Correct.

Oh, I actually thought it was more convoluted than that. Can I ask then, if the cupboards units and kitchen (and fridge) in an Ocean/SE were on a 'rail' system, allowing them to be removed ad hoc, would it still qualify as a Campervan? (EDIT - built by VW that way from inception)

 

[BeagleMum]

Probably spend more time in my Campervan, using it for its intended purpose than many Beach Owners who seem to spend their time boasting how many people they can carry, household contents , chickens etc and occasionally take their vehicle camping after they've loaded it up with fridge, cooker, water containers and the awning and debating whether it is a large car or a "Campervan" when it comes to ferries or Euroshuttle.

You are obsessed with spitting out utter garbage, it’s pathetic.

 

[Borris]

Borris, I know I could look back and see but do you have solar?

No. Tbh I have thought about fitting it on several occasions and have even discussed the matter Roger D. However, in the six years we've had Calis it's never been necessary. Having said that it would save sticking it on charge every month.

 

[Digger]

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