Are you happy with your grand california?

[Asgard]

Hi all. Now the Grand California has been out there for a few years I’m wondering if anyone here has one, is happy/unhappy with their choice?/ any recurring problems? Many thanks

Had a GC 600 for a couple of years and last year upgraded to a new 680. Loved them both but the 680 suits us so much better. Been all over UK Ireland and rest of Europe often 4-6 week trips. Advantages of 680 for us are the huge longitudinal bed, much more room in kitchen and love a proper wardrobe, feels more stable to drive esp in windy conditions, has had much less faults than the 2021 600, significant increase in storage capacity and sorry but just looks so much more handsome!
Best addition was the diesel heating and with a couple of Ecoflow 2 delta max and an alternator charger we can be off grid as long as we want. Both great vans to drive and live in.

 

[Razor Crest]

Has anyone deciphered that 680 digital display for cabin battery?
When on charge with shore power it is green and scrolls up - thats Ok.
Disconnect shore power and it just continues scrolling up in green. Cannot figure what that is telling me at that point, and then it has +1.25 amps showing - what is that? solar panel charge or system usage discharge.
Does that indicator in fact show solar panel charge.
What is the general feeling, operate cabin battery isolator knob when parked in the garage? or is that not a good idea for some obscure reason.

Yes, the battery will continue to scroll up if you are getting a solar charge. In winter I put a cover on the van and then switch the red isolator off but otherwise I leave it on. Even in the UK solar seems to keep the leisure battery topped up.

 

[pinomarmo1958]

Hi all. Now the Grand California has been out there for a few years I’m wondering if anyone here has one, is happy/unhappy with their choice?/ any recurring problems? Many thanks

We are on our second Grand 600 .the catches are a pain but I have adjusted them and they are better now. We've had three oceans wouldn't go back. And now the only choice is a smaller T7.All motorhome have problems. Beauty of VW is you only go to one place for repair ,which can be anywhere in the UK or Europe.No other vehicle manufacturer can do that.

 

[berg86]

I bought a 2023 model two weeks ago, and a day after we left for Lofoten Islands and have lived here since.
Mostly free camping and two night in payed spots to shower properly and use a washer.

Having previously owned a 1996 Cali and a 2008 Nugget the added space is quite handy for a family of four.
Especially when brining climbing equipment and other activity related stuff!

It does have some quirks and odd design decisions but mostly things have worked good so far.
Luckily some tips in the forums here have got me through some stuff (reset the step for example).

Travelling with kids a few notes to add to other mentions, chair upholstery stain horribly, the upper window blinders (well all of them) is in some sort of paper material which didn’t take long for one of the kids to crash.

Battery is well underwhelming if solar isn’t charging, but when I do have sun it would last forever. Needs an upgrade!

And I might be the only one who finds they look cool!
Cheers!