Are there any van conversion much like the no-longer-available Cali 6.1 ?

[edocali]

Hi
I was wondering if among the many companies doing conversions
there are now any *good* ones that attempt to match the no-longer-available Ocean 6.1 ?

- top opening fridge
- boot space !!!
- sliding table
- sliding bench with underseat storage
- built-in blinds, not shoddy curtains.
- overall quality

Maybe there always were such conversions, but all the one I looked at, differed (and with good reason when the 6.1 was available) more or less significantly.

thanks!

 

[Mehdime]

The Mercedes Marco Polo is pretty much exactly that.

 

[owen_h]

Which base vehicle? Would you be looking for a converter who still has stock of the T6.1 or a conversion on the New Transporter / Ford Transit?
When I went round the NEC show the closest I saw from an ‘automotive’ finish point of view were the Westfalia or Dreamer vans. Both are converted at the Westfalia factory and have blinds and moulded side trim (no carpet on the walls). Units seemed to be made from some sort of aluminium/ plastic composite.
In SWB it would be the Westfalia club joker urban or Dreamer Citycamp. The one at the show had individual seats but there is a 3 seater sliding bench version. I would put it as more Coast than Ocean. Single burner hob and removable cool box in dedicated sliding drawer.
There was a conversion there that was using the California sliding seat. Sorry can’t remember who as didn’t look I. Detail at them.

 

[CannonDale]

Have a look at the Citroen.

New Citroën Holidays - Travel with complete freedom | Citroën UK

Meet the New Citroën Holidays, the ulimate camper van for comfortable escapes. Equipped with up to 4 sleeping spaces, a kitchen and pop-up roof for road-trips like never before.

www.citroen.co.uk

 

[Mehdime]

Have a look at the Citroen.

New Citroën Holidays - Travel with complete freedom | Citroën UK

Meet the New Citroën Holidays, the ulimate camper van for comfortable escapes. Equipped with up to 4 sleeping spaces, a kitchen and pop-up roof for road-trips like never before.

www.citroen.co.uk

That van actually looks really interesting. The rear bench can be removed to use it as a proper van. And the whole kitchen unit can be removed too to use outdoors. Sweet.

 

[edocali]

Have a look at the Citroen.

New Citroën Holidays - Travel with complete freedom | Citroën UK

Meet the New Citroën Holidays, the ulimate camper van for comfortable escapes. Equipped with up to 4 sleeping spaces, a kitchen and pop-up roof for road-trips like never before.

www.citroen.co.uk

nice !!

 

[Meoncoast]

To be honest, if we had not been able to get our T6.1 we were planning on a Citroen Holidays over a T7.

 

[edocali]

Which base vehicle? Would you be looking for a converter who still has stock of the T6.1 or a conversion on the New Transporter / Ford Transit?
When I went round the NEC show the closest I saw from an ‘automotive’ finish point of view were the Westfalia or Dreamer vans. Both are converted at the Westfalia factory and have blinds and moulded side trim (no carpet on the walls). Units seemed to be made from some sort of aluminium/ plastic composite.
In SWB it would be the Westfalia club joker urban or Dreamer Citycamp. The one at the show had individual seats but there is a 3 seater sliding bench version. I would put it as more Coast than Ocean. Single burner hob and removable cool box in dedicated sliding drawer.
There was a conversion there that was using the California sliding seat. Sorry can’t remember who as didn’t look I. Detail at them.

Thanks!
the Club Joker Urban layout is much nicer (much more Cali-like) than the old Club Joker city.
And that Dreamer Citycamp look good too!

 

[Wesel]

Ford Transit Custom Nugget ?

 

[Wesel]

Citroën Holidays

 

[Wesel]

Renault Trafic Spacenomad

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Presumably the likes of Hillside Leisure and Camper King will be looking at converting the new VW T7 Transporter, or whatever the correct name for it is??

In fact looking at Hillside leisure, they have already moved their main conversions over to the Ford Transit Custom platform. Last time I looked a year or so ago it was pretty much 6.1 conversions solely.

 

[owen_h]

Remembered the converter who was using the California sliding seat and rails, it was CJL Leisure. All the examples I saw from them at the show were on a T6.1. They do say on the website they can convert on the Ford Transit. I should have asked if a Ford Traffic conversion would also include the VW bench.
If looking at a conversion be aware that not all will be registered as a camper/motorhome (different speed limits to a 'van') . Only conversion companies authorised by VW or Ford have access to a 'camper' base vehicle. e.g VW have 6 listed in the UK

Volkswagen motorhome conversions | VW Vans

Discover more about our VW approved motorhome & campervan conversion companies. Built in house, with a matched warranty so you can buy with confidence.

www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk

 

[edocali]

Ford Transit Custom Nugget ?
View attachment 133119

Id love to try a Nugget but
- it’s more than 2m high and that’s a big issue for me
Plus AFAIK
- the layout means the boot storage is the kitchen
- you can’t really use the kitchen and fridge with the van loaded with luggage and roof down

So it only has in common with the Cali the fact that it’s a single vendor solution, which it’s not in my must-have, just a nice-to

BTW I struggled to find a ford dealer near me with any demos. Dropped the case for now

 

[Wesel]

Id love to try a Nugget but
- it’s more than 2m high and that’s a big issue for me
Plus AFAIK
- the layout means the boot storage is the kitchen
- you can’t really use the kitchen and fridge with the van loaded with luggage and roof down

So it only has in common with the Cali the fact that it’s a single vendor solution, which it’s not in my must-have, just a nice-to

BTW I struggled to find a ford dealer near me with any demos. Dropped the case for now

The height of 2m07 would also be a no go for me in this category of vehicles.

 

[Hedley Wright]

Id love to try a Nugget but
- it’s more than 2m high and that’s a big issue for me
Plus AFAIK
- the layout means the boot storage is the kitchen
- you can’t really use the kitchen and fridge with the van loaded with luggage and roof down

So it only has in common with the Cali the fact that it’s a single vendor solution, which it’s not in my must-have, just a nice-to

BTW I struggled to find a ford dealer near me with any demos. Dropped the case for now

I’m just about to sell my 2022 Cali Ocean…

 

[edocali]

I’m just about to sell my 2022 Cali Ocean…

Thanks but I’m sticking with my 2020 Ocean, but looking at what the market offers as palatable to me alternatives. I tried the Multivan-based Cali and its lack of internal storage prompted me to look around

 

[edocali]

The height of 2m07 would also be a no go for me in this category of vehicles.

just noticed also the Club joker urban is > 2m, quoted at 2.05m

 

[edocali]

The Citroen is quoted at 1.99 on the website, 2.01 in the spec PDF

 

[BeeBee]

Did you have a look at Jerba Campervans (Nth Berwick)

 

[crookrise]

A friend had a LWB T6 converted by these, included a Cali bed.

Home - Exploria

Established in 2002 Exploria has the experience, expertise and an exceptional approach. Specialising in conversions to VW vehicles

exploria-online.co.uk

 

[WelshGas]

Hi
I was wondering if among the many companies doing conversions
there are now any *good* ones that attempt to match the no-longer-available Ocean 6.1 ?

- top opening fridge
- boot space !!!
- sliding table
- sliding bench with underseat storage
- built-in blinds, not shoddy curtains.
- overall quality

Maybe there always were such conversions, but all the one I looked at, differed (and with good reason when the 6.1 was available) more or less significantly.

thanks!

Short answer No.
Only a limited number of Converters were associated with VW and allowed to purchase base vehicles from VW. They were limited as to which base vehicles + Options they could purchase and probably restricted in what features etc: they could fit. Also economies of scale allowed VW to have interior panels, integrated blinds, water tank/gas locker etc.
This may change when the new Transporter is available IF VW continues to allow its favoured partners to purchase discounted base vehicles .