Upgrade Dilemma

[Seamelody]

We have had our Ocean for nearly 4 years and can’t fault it, however I’d like some more living space and an onboard bathroom would be ideal. The downside to this is we have to go larger, so parking and accessibility to places will be compromised - assuming we change. We have looked at the Grande Ocean, but the quality of fittings and build is way short of our camper. It looked more akin to a home DIY MDF sprayed white. Although the bathroom was spot on. So it’s off my list, can anyone recommend some panel van conversions, which are of a Ocean standard ?


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[The Merle]

We have had our Ocean for nearly 4 years and can’t fault it, however I’d like some more living space and an onboard bathroom would be ideal. The downside to this is we have to go larger, so parking and accessibility to places will be compromised - assuming we change. We have looked at the Grande Ocean, but the quality of fittings and build is way short of our camper. It looked more akin to a home DIY MDF sprayed white. Although the bathroom was spot on. So it’s off my list, can anyone recommend some panel van conversions, which are of a Ocean standard ?


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Westfalia and hymer.
I’ve owned my westy for 3yrs and all still in good working order.

 

[Wildcamper]

We had a LWB T6 150 DSG converted by Autohaus in Minehead to our spec. This included an onboard toilet and external shower. They can do an onboard shower if you wish. We are delighted with our conversion, we did not get on with Californias. The vehicle was new and came with 4 year VW warranty and Autohaus provided 3 years on the conversion. Their customer service to us has been excellent. If we decide to change our van we will go back to Autohaus. They do Crafter conversions as well as Transporter.

 

[Jay20cali]

We have had loads of California’s over about 12 years we swapped up to a big Karmann coach built,then after 18 months swapped back to a cali then swapped up to a Westfalia columbus on a fiat wasn’t that impressed with the vans warped panels and bad paint then again went back to a cali ...Owned a California again for a few years then bought a new Westfalia Sven hedin now we’re definitely where we want to be .

Love it….just under 6mtrs

 

[Lambeth Cali]

VW Campersales at the top of this page will direct you to some great Westfalias. I also have come to the conclusion that a Grand California is not a great product. The Westfalia Sven Hedin would be where I would look personally.

The New Westfalia Sven Hedin

Adventure awaits with the Westfalia Sven Hedin, discover the options with current stock, brochure, gallery and floorplan for this popular campervan.

www.campersales.co.uk

 

[Wesel]

We have had our Ocean for nearly 4 years and can’t fault it, however I’d like some more living space and an onboard bathroom would be ideal. The downside to this is we have to go larger, so parking and accessibility to places will be compromised - assuming we change. We have looked at the Grande Ocean, but the quality of fittings and build is way short of our camper. It looked more akin to a home DIY MDF sprayed white. Although the bathroom was spot on. So it’s off my list, can anyone recommend some panel van conversions, which are of a Ocean standard ?


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Gran California is definitely not a California.
VW took this name because it is a successful brand name. This in no way prejudges the qualities, or not, of GC but it is another world.

 

[Jester]

We have had our Ocean for nearly 4 years and can’t fault it, however I’d like some more living space and an onboard bathroom would be ideal. The downside to this is we have to go larger, so parking and accessibility to places will be compromised - assuming we change. We have looked at the Grande Ocean, but the quality of fittings and build is way short of our camper. It looked more akin to a home DIY MDF sprayed white. Although the bathroom was spot on. So it’s off my list, can anyone recommend some panel van conversions, which are of a Ocean standard ?


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Grande Ocean, you’ve obviously done your homework.

 

[The Merle]

Grande Ocean, you’ve obviously done your homework.

I like the look of the GC cupboards.
Most vans use white so you can put your own stamp on them.
I think the GC needs to be winterised and can see VW doing this pretty quick if they want to compete with other brands.

 

[smudge07]

We have had our Ocean for nearly 4 years and can’t fault it, however I’d like some more living space and an onboard bathroom would be ideal. The downside to this is we have to go larger, so parking and accessibility to places will be compromised - assuming we change. We have looked at the Grande Ocean, but the quality of fittings and build is way short of our camper. It looked more akin to a home DIY MDF sprayed white. Although the bathroom was spot on. So it’s off my list, can anyone recommend some panel van conversions, which are of a Ocean standard ?


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We feel exactly the same - we loved our beach but wanted something a little bigger. We haven’t got it yet but next couple of weeks we get our Hymer Grand Canyon S based on a sprinter.
We needed to sleep 4 with our 4 and 6 year old kids - it has a pop top and the quality is very similar to the Cali. As I said don’t have it just yet but spent a lot of time in a demo. Worth a look.

If it were just the 2 of us - the Man/crafter conversion would have been perfect and very familiar coming from the Cali.

 

[Karlos]

We have had our Ocean for nearly 4 years and can’t fault it, however I’d like some more living space and an onboard bathroom would be ideal. The downside to this is we have to go larger, so parking and accessibility to places will be compromised - assuming we change. We have looked at the Grande Ocean, but the quality of fittings and build is way short of our camper. It looked more akin to a home DIY MDF sprayed white. Although the bathroom was spot on. So it’s off my list, can anyone recommend some panel van conversions, which are of a Ocean standard ?


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We had a long wheel base T6 built to our specification but it didn't really give that much more room and obviously no shower room. I have today pulled the trigger on an Elddis CV 40 6 metre van conversion which I hope will meet our needs, didn't really want something built from furniture board but we had to compromise.

 

[Jester]

I like the look of the GC cupboards.
Most vans use white so you can put your own stamp on them.
I think the GC needs to be winterised and can see VW doing this pretty quick if they want to compete with other brands.

Agreed can’t see why they are not winterised and under floor heating seeing as they are sold in northern europe . The Cupboards are really well put together although not as spacious as one might think. They do need to catch up with other brands but in particular with Westfalia who have stepped up a pace in build quality however not in production(sorry)

Well fingers crossed not long for you. Happy new year.

Will

 

[The Merle]

Agreed can’t see why they are not winterised and under floor heating seeing as they are sold in northern europe . The Cupboards are really well put together although not as spacious as one might think. They do need to catch up with other brands but in particular with Westfalia who have stepped up a pace in build quality however not in production(sorry)

Well fingers crossed not long for you. Happy new year.

Will

The problem with westfalia is they build way to many models now.
There must be 20/30 makes/models from, club joker (x2), Sven, James cook (x3), nugget (x3), Kepler, Columbus (x?), Amundsen (x?), new Ford Kelsey, Jules Verne, Marco Polo, Ford Meridian

The Columbus/Amundsen come in so many sizes.

Before all the crap hit the fan the club joker was still running at 12mths, either VW restrict the amount of base vans (very few built each year). Or maybe there’s to much variation/choice on model and the production plants aren’t big enough (hopefully they will speed things up in the future as I’m a massive fan of there product).

Happy new year and hope you have loads of adventures planned for 2022!

 

[Legin]

Nearest you can get to Cali build is a high end Westfalia. However the Sven Hedin would be my choice in a 6m pvc. Due to lack of availability and cost I have gone Fiat based - Dreamer D51 6m which is made by Rapido , Im still waiting for it to arrive.

 

[Seamelody]

Thanks to everyone for providing several alternatives, it’s raining today so not gardening. I’ll spend a few hours surfing all the recommendations, Although, somehow feel we will stick with the Ocean!


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[Wondering Star]

We changed to a Hymer Grand Canyon s in September 2020 and can recommend the van and supplying dealer Campersales.
No problems with the Sprinter only one small issue with the interior that being the failure of the sink tap.
We travel as a family of four, payload has been increased from 3500 to 4050 kg, I have also replaced the two AGM batteries with Lithium to enable us to off grid. Presently in the Lakes and it looks like the batteries will last the four nights with practically no solar gain.
One thing about the Sprinter is that it's very softly sprung and if loaded on undulating roads can wallow, I plan to fit a VB full air suspension to the rear replacing the standard leaf springs.

 

[Jester]

We changed to a Hymer Grand Canyon s in September 2020 and can recommend the van and supplying dealer Campersales.
No problems with the Sprinter only one small issue with the interior that being the failure of the sink tap.
We travel as a family of four, payload has been increased from 3500 to 4050 kg, I have also replaced the two AGM batteries with Lithium to enable us to off grid. Presently in the Lakes and it looks like the batteries will last the four nights with practically no solar gain.
One thing about the Sprinter is that it's very softly sprung and if loaded on undulating roads can wallow, I plan to fit a VB full air suspension to the rear replacing the standard leaf springs.

VB are apparently bringing out the 4c in the first quarter of 2022. However this is for the Crafter so would imagine so for the Sprinter.
Also great for self levelling.

 

[smudge07]

We changed to a Hymer Grand Canyon s in September 2020 and can recommend the van and supplying dealer Campersales.
No problems with the Sprinter only one small issue with the interior that being the failure of the sink tap.
We travel as a family of four, payload has been increased from 3500 to 4050 kg, I have also replaced the two AGM batteries with Lithium to enable us to off grid. Presently in the Lakes and it looks like the batteries will last the four nights with practically no solar gain.
One thing about the Sprinter is that it's very softly sprung and if loaded on undulating roads can wallow, I plan to fit a VB full air suspension to the rear replacing the standard leaf springs.

Great to hear you are happy with your Grand Canyon ours hasn’t arrived yet. Thanks for the detail on the suspension I was wondering if that was going to be an issue….
I have spent an unhealthy amount of time online reading about this with sprinter conversions. Van Compass so several kits that people on sprinter source can’t speak highly enough about - most people wishing they had don’t it immediately. Another option to air suspension

 

[Wondering Star]

Ordered my kit in October and still waiting for it to arrive, at the time 4C was not available.
Would be worth considering but at what cost!
Rear was nearly £4500 and I'm half expecting a price increase prior to fitting.
It's something the van definitely needs in my opinion, without it a fully loaded van is close to the standard suspension's limits, with poptop it's a tall vehicle with additional weight were you don't want it i.e on the roof.
A great van, a real bonus to have onboard facilities in covid times.

 

[smudge07]

Ordered my kit in October and still waiting for it to arrive, at the time 4C was not available.
Would be worth considering but at what cost!
Rear was nearly £4500 and I'm half expecting a price increase prior to fitting.
It's something the van definitely needs in my opinion, without it a fully loaded van is close to the standard suspension's limits, with poptop it's a tall vehicle with additional weight were you don't want it i.e on the roof.
A great van, a real bonus to have onboard facilities in covid times.

Ouch it is a lot of money - I had hoped Hymer would have done something to help but obviously nothing - shame when you are spending such a lot in the first place.
Is it ok if I ping you a PM I wanted to ask about the battery upgrade but don’t want to hijack this thread..thanks.

 

[Jester]

Even if you only have the 2c I’m told you can add when available as it integrates.

I’m waiting for the full system to become available.

 

[Seamelody]

VB are apparently bringing out the 4c in the first quarter of 2022. However this is for the Crafter so would imagine so for the Sprinter.
Also great for self levelling.

Hi thanks for the feedback, can I ask what’s VB ??


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[Wondering Star]

Reason I went for Full VB air rather than VB semi air or other suspension mods is the full system is approved by Mercedes and serviceable by Mercedes commercial dealers.(VB semi air is not).
Also evidence of chassis cracking with aftermarket semi air, although this is probably due to excessive overloading.

 

[Jester]

Hi thanks for the feedback, can I ask what’s VB ??


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Hi there. Seamelody.
It’s air suspension also approved via VW. Also self levelling so no requirement for levellers

Home | VB-Airsuspension

As a leading company undergoing rapid growth, we want people all across the globe to benefit from our premium suspension applications and airsuspension systems.

www.vbairsuspension.co.uk

 

[Wondering Star]

Reason I went for Full VB air rather than VB semi air or other suspension mods is the full system is approved by Mercedes and serviceable by Mercedes commercial dealers.(VB semi air is not).
Also evidence of chassis cracking with aftermarket semi air, although this is probably due to excessive overloading.
VB is a Dutch? Company that supplies air suspension to Mercedes factory for specialist vehicles.
Can be ordered on new vehicles through commercial dealers.

 

[Jester]

Reason I went for Full VB air rather than VB semi air or other suspension mods is the full system is approved by Mercedes and serviceable by Mercedes commercial dealers.(VB semi air is not).
Also evidence of chassis cracking with aftermarket semi air, although this is probably due to excessive overloading.
VB is a Dutch? Company that supplies air suspension to Mercedes factory for specialist vehicles.
Can be ordered on new vehicles through commercial dealers.

It’s not clear if you are expecting 2c or 4c as if you gone for 4c you state 4.5k which is good.
What dealer?