G
Guy windsurfer+MTB
Hallo,
I'm new to this group.
I don't own a California (yet).
I'm a windsurfer and mountain biker.
This is how I do things right now.
I have an old Ford Mondeo Estate, which is fine for 2 people, 2 windsurf boards with fixed fins, 5 sails, 4 pieces of masts, 2 wishbones, 1 29" mountain bike with front wheel removed, all windsurfing and mountain biking clothes, all inside the car (now I realize I could even remove my back seats to gain more space), it’s totally filled, but it works with the tops of the windsurf boards comfortably over our heads (no problem), I can even take 3 windsurf boards but then the passenger must stay at home. You see I can fit a lot of things in small places.
I leave everything in the car year round. This is very convenient. For daily use I have 2 seats and when buying groceries I fill some spaces here and there to fill it completely. When going on a trip I have all my toys with me, I never forget something and loose no time loading the car, when there is no good wind I take the MTB, etc. No problems with stealing, I have even a black cover to put over my toys so nobody sees the mess inside.
Now you expect the next question.
I would like to upgrade to VW California but go on with the same system of leaving everything in the van and being able to sleep downstairs. I know I'm asking a lot, and adding my elektrical MTB.
So no roof racks (maybe a very low profile just in case) and no bicycle racks.
I know most windsurfers use a LWB VW transporter or a Westfalia LWB, and I understand why.
But I need a SWB because I need to make a 90° turn to turn in my garage in the city and the road is too narrow for a LWB (1/2 of turning circle I think 11,9 m / 2 = 5,95 m). A VW T6 SWB would work.
I know I’m asking a lot of the little space in the SWB California, but if I compare to the Ford Mondeo 1 bike more and being able to sleep seems possible by the extra height, width and length (+shorter bonnet) of the SWB.
But then again I’m maybe dreaming.
1 bike less would also work. But I prefer 2 : 1 normal mountain bike and 1 electric mountain bike.
So I was thinking and I ask you experts :
We only travel with 2.
I was thinking about VW SWB California Ocean / Beach / Caravelle / Transporter.
I have 2 boards and I want them inside (mainly during travel). Short board 230 cm x 55 cm wide, biggest board 246 cm x 78 cm wide (this biggest board could be smaller if really necessary).
I was thinking :
In Beach 2 boards on the ceiling inside next to each other sideways.
Example 2 stacked surfboards , not windsurf boards :
A windsurf board is of course thicker than a surfboard, but about same thickness as 2 surfboards.
Different positions of the windsurf boards are possible : fins up or down, I think tops in front and fins up, but could work otherwise, hope not to remove fins.
I think the hinging cupboard above/in the tailgate needs to be removed, if not the boards will be much more in front.
I would prefer Ocean to Beach.
In Ocean the furniture on the left will make 2 boards on the ceiling impossible, so 1 on the ceiling and the second one under the back seat removing the drawer.
I found :
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/how-do-you-carry-skis.22293/page-2
• #23
In the winter I always remove the big slider storage box underneath the bench ( to small screws inside the box locks it to the rails), and also the black box with the jack. Plenty of room for at least four par of alpine skis (free rider skis). We store it outside the vehicle at night. That’s okay here in Norway...
Instead of 4 ski's 1 (small) windsurf board would pass I think/hope.
Is this correct ? What is the width and height of the opening when the drawer is removd ?
Then there are 5 sails, the widest being 170 cm, 4 tiny pieces of mast 230 cm long, 2 wishbones. Also under the bed.
I hope not to offend people, but the closet in the Ocean on the left side might avoid 2 windsurf boards against the ceiling. A modular closet would be better for this reason, being able to remove the top part. I said before I don't want to offend people but I was even thinking of sawing the top part of this closet, remove the top part, or put it back inside connected with a couple of sliding locks if I don’t hang the 2 windsurf board to the ceiling.
I now Reimo makes furniture for Beach model, but Ocean interior looks better has more capacity and is better integrated. If there would be a good solution for Beach this would also be OK.
I see some electricity cables on the back side.
I know I go a bit (too) far.
But I also have 2 MTB I want to put inside as well.
During driving : open the bed, 2 MTB on protective cover on bed with front wheels removed, 1 board hanging over it, 1 board under the bed / 2 boards hanging against ceiling.
During sleeping downstairs : 2 MTB sideways without front wheel, steering wheel parallel to frame (total length from end of tyre to end of steering wheel 160 cm - 170 cm), after front seats and maybe a bit skewed (might be difficult, I think 1 MTB is possible, maybe 2) : fixed back tyre between left front seat and cupboard, 1 board under bed, 1 board hanging on ceiling / 2 boards hanging against ceiling.
If necessary I do some more sawing. No panic, not to Cali, but saw some pieces of the handle bar (of the MTB's).
By the way I want to avoid opening the roof for sleeping in center of town.
In safe campsites all the toys go out, roof opens, boards under the car, etc.
I know I won't have much space for other things.
Sorry, for this long explanation.
I'm new to this group.
I don't own a California (yet).
I'm a windsurfer and mountain biker.
This is how I do things right now.
I have an old Ford Mondeo Estate, which is fine for 2 people, 2 windsurf boards with fixed fins, 5 sails, 4 pieces of masts, 2 wishbones, 1 29" mountain bike with front wheel removed, all windsurfing and mountain biking clothes, all inside the car (now I realize I could even remove my back seats to gain more space), it’s totally filled, but it works with the tops of the windsurf boards comfortably over our heads (no problem), I can even take 3 windsurf boards but then the passenger must stay at home. You see I can fit a lot of things in small places.
I leave everything in the car year round. This is very convenient. For daily use I have 2 seats and when buying groceries I fill some spaces here and there to fill it completely. When going on a trip I have all my toys with me, I never forget something and loose no time loading the car, when there is no good wind I take the MTB, etc. No problems with stealing, I have even a black cover to put over my toys so nobody sees the mess inside.
Now you expect the next question.
I would like to upgrade to VW California but go on with the same system of leaving everything in the van and being able to sleep downstairs. I know I'm asking a lot, and adding my elektrical MTB.
So no roof racks (maybe a very low profile just in case) and no bicycle racks.
I know most windsurfers use a LWB VW transporter or a Westfalia LWB, and I understand why.
But I need a SWB because I need to make a 90° turn to turn in my garage in the city and the road is too narrow for a LWB (1/2 of turning circle I think 11,9 m / 2 = 5,95 m). A VW T6 SWB would work.
I know I’m asking a lot of the little space in the SWB California, but if I compare to the Ford Mondeo 1 bike more and being able to sleep seems possible by the extra height, width and length (+shorter bonnet) of the SWB.
But then again I’m maybe dreaming.
1 bike less would also work. But I prefer 2 : 1 normal mountain bike and 1 electric mountain bike.
So I was thinking and I ask you experts :
We only travel with 2.
I was thinking about VW SWB California Ocean / Beach / Caravelle / Transporter.
I have 2 boards and I want them inside (mainly during travel). Short board 230 cm x 55 cm wide, biggest board 246 cm x 78 cm wide (this biggest board could be smaller if really necessary).
I was thinking :
In Beach 2 boards on the ceiling inside next to each other sideways.
Example 2 stacked surfboards , not windsurf boards :
A windsurf board is of course thicker than a surfboard, but about same thickness as 2 surfboards.
Different positions of the windsurf boards are possible : fins up or down, I think tops in front and fins up, but could work otherwise, hope not to remove fins.
I think the hinging cupboard above/in the tailgate needs to be removed, if not the boards will be much more in front.
I would prefer Ocean to Beach.
In Ocean the furniture on the left will make 2 boards on the ceiling impossible, so 1 on the ceiling and the second one under the back seat removing the drawer.
I found :
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/how-do-you-carry-skis.22293/page-2
• #23
In the winter I always remove the big slider storage box underneath the bench ( to small screws inside the box locks it to the rails), and also the black box with the jack. Plenty of room for at least four par of alpine skis (free rider skis). We store it outside the vehicle at night. That’s okay here in Norway...
Instead of 4 ski's 1 (small) windsurf board would pass I think/hope.
Is this correct ? What is the width and height of the opening when the drawer is removd ?
Then there are 5 sails, the widest being 170 cm, 4 tiny pieces of mast 230 cm long, 2 wishbones. Also under the bed.
I hope not to offend people, but the closet in the Ocean on the left side might avoid 2 windsurf boards against the ceiling. A modular closet would be better for this reason, being able to remove the top part. I said before I don't want to offend people but I was even thinking of sawing the top part of this closet, remove the top part, or put it back inside connected with a couple of sliding locks if I don’t hang the 2 windsurf board to the ceiling.
I now Reimo makes furniture for Beach model, but Ocean interior looks better has more capacity and is better integrated. If there would be a good solution for Beach this would also be OK.
I see some electricity cables on the back side.
I know I go a bit (too) far.
But I also have 2 MTB I want to put inside as well.
During driving : open the bed, 2 MTB on protective cover on bed with front wheels removed, 1 board hanging over it, 1 board under the bed / 2 boards hanging against ceiling.
During sleeping downstairs : 2 MTB sideways without front wheel, steering wheel parallel to frame (total length from end of tyre to end of steering wheel 160 cm - 170 cm), after front seats and maybe a bit skewed (might be difficult, I think 1 MTB is possible, maybe 2) : fixed back tyre between left front seat and cupboard, 1 board under bed, 1 board hanging on ceiling / 2 boards hanging against ceiling.
If necessary I do some more sawing. No panic, not to Cali, but saw some pieces of the handle bar (of the MTB's).
By the way I want to avoid opening the roof for sleeping in center of town.
In safe campsites all the toys go out, roof opens, boards under the car, etc.
I know I won't have much space for other things.
Sorry, for this long explanation.
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