About to pull the trigger on a GC 600 - Please give me your must haves before I finalise the spec!

A

alanwicker555

Lifetime VIP Member
Messages
19
Location
UK
Vehicle
T6 Ocean 150
Hey all,

Long time lurker and T6 Cali owner here - about to pull the trigger and move to the GC600 - the 0% finance deal at the moment is too much to resist! Have put a deposit down wiht Drive the Deal and will need to finalise the spec in the next few days.

I'd be really grateful for your hints on the spec that I should consider including/excluding from the van. My current plans are:
- Two tone reflex silver/indium grey
- LED Headlights
- Awning
- Overcab Bed
- Removable tow bar (pushes me over 3.5t)
- Solar
- Poo smell extractor thing in the toilet
- Diesel heater rather than gas.

Any other thoughts? All of your feedback really apprecaited. :)
 
Another for the WiFi. If on EHU and doing a lot of summer camping, we use the roof A/C a lot.
 
Carryon Cali Camping said:
Another for the WiFi. If on EHU and doing a lot of summer camping, we use the roof A/C a lot.
Click to expand...
Interesting on the A/C as I've seen reviews saying not to bother. Sounds like you'd miss it if it were missing?
 
All good & nice colour choice.

Solar a must, there is only a single AGM leisure battery (unlike your T6!). Even with solar put some money aside for some type of additional 12V support system, lots of options if you browse this group and the various FB groups.

WiFi is a fairly easy add at minimal cost if you are handy and can be done to precisely mimic the factory setup (i.e. controlled from the panel with auto switch off).

I'd add ambients, not something I thought I would much care for but they add a surprisingly nice evening touch.

We have put the rooftop AC to good use in France, Spain and Portugal, although only used it once in the UK. Needs hookup. Worthwhile if you are travelling abroad and staying on serviced sites.
 
Hello,

What exiting times! Planning a new camper is always a huge thing and thinking about the specification is so important.

To decide the specification of a camper is very based on the personal preferences and willingness to spend money for something that is maybe not practical, but nice to look at.

Practical (from my point of view)
  • LED lights
  • Solar
  • SOG
  • Diesel heater (Electric)
  • Awning (maybe should go under "I am not sure off", but for me it is important)
  • Removable tow bar
  • Full size spare wheel
  • 4 Season tyres
  • Mud flaps
Aesthetic (from my point of view)
  • Tow tone (that was not a question for us, our came in white, but we got it wrapped, which at the end was cheaper ((have I said that silver / grey looks very nice))
  • Ambiente lights
Items that I am not sure off
  • Heated windscreen (I don't have it, but I would consider it)
  • Air Conditioning (Even if the GC is over 3.5t weight is an issue)
  • LTE Router (haven't heard a lot of good about the VW router. Also I believe it switches off power after 10 minutes you lock the camper ((security camera))
  • Overhead Bed. If not needed (Children) I wouldn't go for the overhead bed (ours came with the bed in the front, we asked the VW dealer to take it out. With this we saved weight and gained additional storage space)
  • Blind spot sensor (comes in handy driving on the continent)
  • Wing mirror, power folding (handy on narrow roads)
  • Heated seats (I know, people laugh about me, but I love it, wouldn't do without it)
  • Airbags side and curtain (expensive, but if I would order a new GC that would be on my "must have list"
There is sooooo much more, and it is easy to get carried away, but with each added item the prices goes up. :rolleyes:

Best of luck to finalize your specification list and I hope you won't have to wait too long for your new pride and joy.

Regards,
Eberhard
 
GordonH said:
All good & nice colour choice.

Solar a must, there is only a single AGM leisure battery (unlike your T6!). Even with solar put some money aside for some type of additional 12V support system, lots of options if you browse this group and the various FB groups.

WiFi is a fairly easy add at minimal cost if you are handy and can be done to precisely mimic the factory setup (i.e. controlled from the panel with auto switch off).

I'd add ambients, not something I thought I would much care for but they add a surprisingly nice evening touch.

We have put the rooftop AC to good use in France, Spain and Portugal, although only used it once in the UK. Needs hookup. Worthwhile if you are travelling abroad and staying on serviced sites.
Click to expand...
Good point on the ambients…..we do not have it and would use it if we did! We also get teased with seeing it on the control panel, even though we do not have the lights!
 
Last edited:
alanwicker555 said:
Interesting on the A/C as I've seen reviews saying not to bother. Sounds like you'd miss it if it were missing?
Click to expand...
Don’t get me wrong it’s a luxury, but during this summer we used it a fair bit. We were in Wales in early September when it was in the lates 20’s/early 30’s and it came into its own, even in just the fan mode over night. obviously need to be on ehu for it to be used.
 
I've only had my CG600 for a few weeks, it came with a lot of options but they were already chosen by the dealer.

I agree with all your must haves - my GC has all those except the tow bar.

wireless phone charger in the living area is handy.
I have heated seats but not sure really needed with cloth seats.
Heated windscreen is a good to have
Not sure on the ambient lights - colours available are red green blue and orange
the additional diesel heater for the engine/cab is good as you can start it remotely from the app
rear camera - a must have I think
the side parking sensors are good
folding mirrors I don't have but wish I did.
full size spare wheel - its on my list to add in the next few weeks
 
alanwicker555 said:
Hey all,

Long time lurker and T6 Cali owner here - about to pull the trigger and move to the GC600 - the 0% finance deal at the moment is too much to resist! Have put a deposit down wiht Drive the Deal and will need to finalise the spec in the next few days.

I'd be really grateful for your hints on the spec that I should consider including/excluding from the van. My current plans are:
- Two tone reflex silver/indium grey
- LED Headlights
- Awning
- Overcab Bed
- Removable tow bar (pushes me over 3.5t)
- Solar
- Poo smell extractor thing in the toilet
- Diesel heater rather than gas.

Any other thoughts? All of your feedback really apprecaited. :)
Click to expand...
Get the towbar retrofitted & stay under the 3.5tnne?
Other than that are heated seats & screen options these days? I wouldn't be without either.
 
Hi Alan
We are plated at 3.8t so adding gear isn't a major problem.We bought our 600 as an ex demo so had no say in spec but the items I wish we had would definitely be LED headlights and Folding Mirrors, we have AC Unit which we use and find v good.We have solar which is helpful.We were lucky as a quite a lot of expensive options were fitted but strangely not the headlights or folding mirrors.
One option nobody has mentioned is the little bit of patience and a bit of logical thinking when getting used to your new toy, get passed this and you'll love your GC and have many a great trip.
Good luck with your camper
Graham
 
We bought our 600 used….so had zero say in what options were in place….and while we are missing some on everyone’s list (like the SOG and AirCon) there are just two things I really wish we had….Solar (due to the single leisure battery) and the smart steering wheel with cruise control- I am not sure if this is standard now- but our 2020 does not have.

We are retrofitting solar to check one off the list.
 
Thanks everyone - some really useful responses. Made me re-think my decision not to include the A/C unit for sure. Looking forward to taking delivery sometime next year!
 
alanwicker555 said:
Hey all,

Long time lurker and T6 Cali owner here - about to pull the trigger and move to the GC600 - the 0% finance deal at the moment is too much to resist! Have put a deposit down wiht Drive the Deal and will need to finalise the spec in the next few days.

I'd be really grateful for your hints on the spec that I should consider including/excluding from the van. My current plans are:
- Two tone reflex silver/indium grey
- LED Headlights
- Awning
- Overcab Bed
- Removable tow bar (pushes me over 3.5t)
- Solar
- Poo smell extractor thing in the toilet
- Diesel heater rather than gas.

Any other thoughts? All of your feedback really apprecaited. :)
Click to expand...
Sounds as though you would like my vehicle and I am about to put it up for sale.
 
gleneagles said:
Sounds as though you would like my vehicle and I am about to put it up for sale.
Click to expand...
If you’re able to offer 0% finance with a 50% deposit, we might be in business! ;)
 
Sadly no, but I have a very high spec vehicle and I would imagine it would come in at a huge price differential. I have only done about 2500 miles. It is a "22" plate vehicle, happy to send you more details though goodness knows how that could be done via this medium. David
 
I see many here talk about the AC unit.

Has anyone looked into running an Ecoflow Wave 2? It also would allow you to run heating if your van only has the standard heater w/o electric or diesel options.

Personally I like to have more light in the cabin, less weight and height without the AC unit on the roof.



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