Electric roof problems

[Mowbotman]

How many have had electric roof problems on the california

 

[California_Ocean]

So for balance .... I had a manual roof on a Beach I hired to check out the general concept before I bought one, the safety mechanism rattled and I found it a proper faff to get down and secure. Catapulted an electric roof to near the top of my "must have" options - No regrets - especially when I saw another Cali camper get up in the night in an Austrian camp-site and prop his manual roof up with a stick - it was one he had made to fit so I guess his gas struts were a bit shot - it wasn't even that windy.

 

[Azteccamper]

I’ve had to replace sensors, but the Cali is 10 years old. And it is a simple, easy system to operate.

 

[calibusje]

So for balance .... I had a manual roof on a Beach I hired to check out the general concept before I bought one, the safety mechanism rattled and I found it a proper faff to get down and secure. Catapulted an electric roof to near the top of my "must have" options - No regrets - especially when I saw another Cali camper get up in the night in an Austrian camp-site and prop his manual roof up with a stick - it was one he had made to fit so I guess his gas struts were a bit shot - it wasn't even that windy.

Auch, gas struts shot, luckely not expensive to change

 

[calibusje]

Look, there will always be pros and cons to the electro-hydraulic roof and a poll won't change the fact that you regularly see posts about problems with it. You can also see this regularly on various Facebook pages. Much or little, just be one of those whose journey is ended by the electro-hydraulic roof. Each buys what he wants or needs. I don't want it.
May I give an anecdote: I asked the dealer in June if there had already new owners come along with problems with the automatic roof. No, none he said to me even though I already knew about 3 in two months, people I know, one of them who had a big argue at the showroom so it was fairly noticeable. Oh, he also said no one at all, ever... That's how your poll will turn out: no problems.

 

[WelshGas]

Look, there will always be pros and cons to the electro-hydraulic roof and a poll won't change the fact that you regularly see posts about problems with it. You can also see this regularly on various Facebook pages. Much or little, just be one of those whose journey is ended by the electro-hydraulic roof. Each buys what he wants or needs. I don't want it.
May I give an anecdote: I asked the dealer in June if there had already new owners come along with problems with the automatic roof. No, none he said to me even though I already knew about 3 in two months, people I know, one of them who had a big argue at the showroom so it was fairly noticeable. Oh, he also said no one at all, ever... That's how your poll will turn out: no problems.

There have also been posts on this Forum regarding the Manual roofs. Of course , they won't be picked up in this Poll, and no one will mention them.

 

[calibusje]

There have also been posts on this Forum regarding the Manual roofs. Of course , they won't be picked up in this Poll, and no one will mention them.

Thank you, I will look for them so I know what to expect when on holiday with our coast.

Edit:
I'm looking for it but haven't really found anything yet, maybe I should search a bit better but also have to work a bit. What I do know is that my wife can't close the roof: she's too small and not strong enough to pull it all the way down so the latches can snap shut. To see my wife as a problem of the manual roof, that is going too far but I can't think of anything more, sorry.

Edit 2:
Let us agree that we will not think the same about the choice for an electro-hydraulic roof or that the proponents of such a roof will not fully understand the choice for a manually lifting roof and vice versa. I can live with that. All of you too? There are plenty of things we think alike, aren't there?

 

[California_Ocean]

Thank you, I will look for them so I know what to expect when on holiday with our coast.

Edit:
I'm looking for it but haven't really found anything yet, maybe I should search a bit better but also have to work a bit. What I do know is that my wife can't close the roof: she's too small and not strong enough to pull it all the way down so the latches can snap shut. To see my wife as a problem of the manual roof, that is going too far but I can't think of anything more, sorry.

Edit 2:
Let us agree that we will not think the same about the choice for an electro-hydraulic roof or that the proponents of such a roof will not fully understand the choice for a manually lifting roof and vice versa. I can live with that. All of you too? There are plenty of things we think alike, aren't there?

I'll agree to anything if it puts and end to the manual/electric discussion - being relatively new to the forums I didn't quite appreciate what a hornets nest this topic is ... the equivalent on the sailing forums I visit are threads discussing anchors or rudders - also best avoided.

... but I feel justly chastised for my choice of electric roof and will now live in constant fear of having to use the manual lowering kit, or having to press the "open" button to get rid of the inevitable sag - followed by the dealership visit to get it fixed.

Imagine what a state we'd all be in if we worried as much about the most likely incidents to end a joyful holiday - a road traffic accident or a breakdown.

First World Problems anyone?

 

[calibusje]

I'll agree to anything if it puts and end to the manual/electric discussion - being relatively new to the forums I didn't quite appreciate what a hornets nest this topic is ... the equivalent on the sailing forums I visit are threads discussing anchors or rudders - also best avoided.

... but I feel justly chastised for my choice of electric roof and will now live in constant fear of having to use the manual lowering kit, or having to press the "open" button to get rid of the inevitable sag - followed by the dealership visit to get it fixed.

Imagine what a state we'd all be in if we worried as much about the most likely incidents to end a joyful holiday - a road traffic accident or a breakdown.

First World Problems anyone?

nope, no need to agree and deny your own idea about it: I did write "Let us agree that we will not think the same about the choice for an electro-hydraulic roof or that the proponents of such a roof will not fully understand the choice for a manually lifting roof and vice versa. I can live with that. All of you too? There are plenty of things we think alike, aren't there?"
So let it go. I cannot write more: 'each his own ideas about it' or whatever. Indeed, no need to life in fear for issues that likely will not happen, hopefully will not happen. There are only a small number of calis with an electric-hydaulic roof that have issues (but I don't want to be one of them, I have read once to much about a ruined holiday because of roof problems). Besides, there are more topics that can stur the members than the roof issue
For me, choosing a coast was firstly because of the manual roof, secondly because you can 'dress it up' à la carte and thirdly because at the end of the day, after adding many well choosen extras, the price is still significantly lower than an ocean. I suspect that many have reasoned this way in their choice, but there are clearly others who have a different view. Could it be even a somewhat condescending view of a coast? That cheap version of their fully equipped oceans with which they never have any problems with the electro-hydraulic roof (Oops, a bit ironic, I know.)
Or am I not allowed to say that?
And I'm not worried about the roof, I have a manual roof. So one possible chance -even if it's a small one- lesser to ruin my holiday.
First world problems? Why? Can't there be no more discussion here about problems (possible problems) with a California without it becoming a first world problem? Anyway, I don't see it that way. There are other things in the world and even in ones personal environment that have nothing to do with this and are of a completely different caliber. This isn't what this is about, don't you think.
But: each his own idea about that and I regret you feel chasticed but think of this: I feel like I should explain why I bought a cheap coast, so let's call it a draw .

 

[2into1]

I think a better question is just asked to SE/Ocean owners.....
If you could wake up tomorrow morning and your electric roof had been seemlessly replaced with a manual one, would you be pleased?
I'm a yes, but my van is 2006, and although they were better built in those days (ha ha), I'd take the swap.

 

[ArunAlec]

I think a better question is just asked to SE/Ocean owners.....
If you could wake up tomorrow morning and your electric roof had been seemlessly replaced with a manual one, would you be pleased?
I'm a yes, but my van is 2006, and although they were better built in those days (ha ha), I'd take the swap.

Agree, I had an SE with a roof that dropped an inch or so on one side. It did this for the 6 years I owned it and the auto correction kicked in to pump it up (usually at 3am!).
I was never confident that it wouldn’t get worse (it didn’t) so yes I would have happily had a manual roof, purely for peace of mind.
If I had confidence that VW dealers were interested/capable enough to fix the hydraulics I might feel differently.

 

[calibusje]

…
I'm a yes, but my van is 2006, and although they were better built in those days (ha ha), I'd take the swap.

Agreed: I have a T6.1 / 5 months old and they cannot be put together more carelessly. When I looked at for example a T5.1 I was always impressed by the quality it appeared (and had, according to the owners). I find my cali great for what it is: a small campervan (we made our travels for the last 10 years with an old T4 westfalia and it is a nice upgrade for us) but it is not pleasant driving. I must have been almost 20 times at the dealer in those 5 months and it continues… and I am not talking about the rattles at the back: those I will eliminate one by one myself; I find those are are inherent in that it is a converted van to a camper. I am very tolerant of this
The T6.1 has not become the mature product it could have been.

 

[Multi1100]

I had zero problems with the electric roof solution on the T5 SE and on the T6 Ocean. Before that I had a Beach and no problems with the manual also. But the choice between manual (Coast, Beach) and electric (Ocean) is not only the roof and can not be narrowed to only that...
An Ocean has standard; heating, double glazed in living area, electric roof, CC, and some other small extra's. To my knowledge this is not the case with the Coast and Beach. (the last I know for sure).

 

[wilburthewombat]

If I'd had the option to delete the electric roof from my Ocean, I'd have taken it. Lower price, higher reliability.

 

[calibusje]

I had zero problems with the electric roof solution on the T5 SE and on the T6 Ocean. Before that I had a Beach and no problems with the manual also. But the choice between manual (Coast, Beach) and electric (Ocean) is not only the roof and can not be narrowed to only that...
An Ocean has standard; heating, double glazed in living area, electric roof, CC, and some other small extra's. To my knowledge this is not the case with the Coast and Beach. (the last I know for sure).

Indeed, all true and for sure we all know that. The big price difference even after taking many extras on a coast is also sure. I don't quite understand what you're trying to prove. Having the possibility to choose what you want is what made the coast worthwhile.
So great you had no problems; not every body has problems with their electro-hydraulic roof, it’s even a small part of them (yet big enough) but I’m sure as hell don’t want to be one of them when I’m on holiday.
Let’s agree that we all have our reasons to choose or not choose something, there is enough we agree on and let’s not make this a battle between the roofs. We’re all fans of a california, aren’t we? Or other small camper vans; some even of larger camper vans. This brought us together.

Edit: I’m not that much of a fan of the build quality but still of the concept

 

[Multi1100]

Indeed, all true and for sure we all know that. The big price difference even after taking many extras on a coast is also sure. I don't quite understand what you're trying to prove. Having the possibility to choose what you want is what made the coast worthwhile.
So great you had no problems; not every body has problems with their electro-hydraulic roof, it’s even a small part of them (yet big enough) but I’m sure as hell don’t want to be one of them when I’m on holiday.
Let’s agree that we all have our reasons to choose or not choose something, there is enough we agree on and let’s not make this a battle between the roofs. We’re all fans of a california, aren’t we? Or other small camper vans; some even of larger camper vans. This brought us together.

Edit: I’m not that much of a fan of the build quality but still of the concept

I am not trying to prove anything...what I mean, if you choose an Ocean for example because of the double glazing and sound dampening then you also end up with an electric roof, so no choice. Therefor this poll is not very meaningful.

 

[Multi1100]

If I'd had the option to delete the electric roof from my Ocean, I'd have taken it. Lower price, higher reliability.

but the option does not exist

 

[calibusje]

I am not trying to prove anything...what I mean, if you choose an Ocean for example because of the double glazing and sound dampening then you also end up with an electric roof, so no choice. Therefor this poll is not very meaningful.

True; and maybe I didn’t use the correct verb (prove) and should have used something like ‘try to show’, anyway, that’s passed now.
About the double glazing: and this is my opinion about it and each his idea of course, but here we go: double glazing is in my opinion an overrated thing, let me explain: the sliding part is single glass and the windscreen and windows in the doors too, so this does not matter much. Just a little less steam in the morning. Cool down/warm up less quickly then? It is and remains a non-insulated van. The double glazing won't make much of a difference there either. We've been traveling for 10 years with a T4 westfalia california with double glazing and it's more of an idea that this works than that it is actually something that helps and is useful and therefore you have to have in your cali.
Perhaps something many will not agree with but half double glazing in a van? Com’on, seriously? No, only joking, I know it has some effect (sound dampening ) in a (partly double glazed, non insulated) van but for me -again- no reason to choose for an ocean.
So it wasn’t a must and one more reason to go for the coast. Oh, I took heat-resistant and tinted glass in our coast, won’t help much for sound proof doh

 

[Emil Silenhag]

I have a California -2006 (axe) Manuel transmission 2 wd. I had a hydraulic line collapsed/bursted, made a hole, 10 cm in front of the left hydraulic cylinder. Replaced the line my self. Took three days, between Christmas and new year in the snow, sub zero temp and 5-6 hours daylight (Scandinavia). I also have sag on right side. Sagging 3-4 cm per day. Usually we move every day, so no problem. Planning on using a stick when it goes really bad. Or just replace the affected hydraulic cylinder/ram…but it could also be the hydraulic pump…
I would choose manual roof every day.

 

[WelshGas]

The Poll is related ONLY to those forum members who have the Hydraulic Roof.
If you have a Manual Roof that is your decision and completely irrelevant as are your opinions of the “ supposed “ perceived advantages of such a roof.

 

[WelshGas]

I have a California -2006 (axe) Manuel transmission 2 wd. I had a hydraulic line collapsed/bursted, made a hole, 10 cm in front of the left hydraulic cylinder. Replaced the line my self. Took three days, between Christmas and new year in the snow, sub zero temp and 5-6 hours daylight (Scandinavia). I also have sag on right side. Sagging 3-4 cm per day. Usually we move every day, so no problem. Planning on using a stick when it goes really bad. Or just replace the affected hydraulic cylinder/ram…but it could also be the hydraulic pump…
I would choose manual roof every day.

So how old was the vehicle when you had the problem?

 

[calibusje]

The Poll is related ONLY to those forum members who have the Hydraulic Roof.
If you have a Manual Roof that is your decision and completely irrelevant as are your opinions of the “ supposed “ perceived advantages of such a roof.

Really? Com’on.
Btw, I didn’t fill in the poll.

 

[andyinluton]

How many have had electric roof problems on the california

I think a better poll would be how many faults have you had per year of ownership.
First cali 6 years no faults.
2nd cali 1 year , 1 fault from new & no further faults once fixed to my satisfaction.

 

[calibusje]

True; and maybe I didn’t use the correct verb (prove) and should have used something like ‘try to show’, anyway, that’s passed now.
About the double glazing: and this is my opinion about it and each his idea of course, but here we go: double glazing is in my opinion an overrated thing, let me explain: the sliding part is single glass and the windscreen and windows in the doors too, so this does not matter much. Just a little less steam in the morning. Cool down/warm up less quickly then? It is and remains a non-insulated van. The double glazing won't make much of a difference there either. We've been traveling for 10 years with a T4 westfalia california with double glazing and it's more of an idea that this works than that it is actually something that helps and is useful and therefore you have to have in your cali.
Perhaps something many will not agree with but half double glazing in a van? Com’on, seriously? No, only joking, I know it has some effect (sound dampening ) in a (partly double glazed, non insulated) van but for me -again- no reason to choose for an ocean.
So it wasn’t a must and one more reason to go for the coast. Oh, I took heat-resistant and tinted glass in our coast, won’t help much for sound proof doh

Euh, so you disagree that double glazing for me is not effective enough to choose an ocean? Or disagree that I think you are right about your statement that if people want it, they end up in an ocean and consequently the electo-hydraulic roof? I even agree about the sound dampening. So again I don't understand, sorry.

 

[Emil Silenhag]

So how old was the vehicle when you had the problem?

The problem was there when I bought the van in feb. 2015 (model year 2006=9 years old). I had little bit of hydraulic oil smell from the left side, and small traces of oil in the roof-channel beneath the line/cylinder. I refilled the hydraulic oil every second year. I thought it was a bad seal /o-ring. When I had built up enough knowledge I investigated it 100% and found the leak. Fixed it in 2021..