Beach v Caravelle

[Tim G]

I think I got carried away by this forum's understandable enthusiasm for the VW Beach, until I started to discover the 'holes' in the specs. I assume that most people go for the Beach over the Ocean because either they need the genuine and impressive 7 seater MPV capability, or, if they do see it as an RV, that the sleeping for four persons is the appeal.

There are some compromises required though that I am starting to think I don't want to make, for example only one sliding door, lower grade cabin, lack of 4Motion, and lack of leather. I could get all these if I ordered a T6 Caravelle Executive, and then ticked the 'Sleep' option, and the various other available options (at least on a T5 Caravelle) that would almost bring the vehicle up to the same capability as a Beach. An awning, and lifting roof can be added afterwards by one of the many VW approved after market specialists.

It seems to me that this provides a better car, and almost as good RV. Anyone else starting to reach the same conclusions?

 

[cleve]

We had a caravelle with the intention of fitting an elevating roof but when we looked into it properly we discounted it as there were so few companies who have actually done this or those prepared to carry out the work. They couldn't give a fixed quotation due to the complexity of re routing all the ceiling air vents & other electrics.

When we factored in the costs of adding a roof & heater it wasn't justifiable for us. With the beach we have the elevating roof with no worry about invalidating the warranty, the single door is no problem as we prefer the storage offered in the side wall, built in blinds, table & chair storage is a real bonus & the finish is much more practical for camping than the plush finish we had in the caravelle. The children can climb in with muddy boots without me screaming at them for ruining the carpet!

Depends whether you're after a luxury car or a campervan I guess.

 

[daveyboydanger]

Does the caravelle come with the window blinds built in?
It may well do (no expert on the caravelle) but if not then the after market blind options are always a bit messy and a bit 'look my van has curtains' which doesn't appeal to me. Only a little thing but I think those little things (table and deckchairs too) add up.

 

[cleve]

No,

Does the caravelle come with the window blinds built in?
It may well do (no expert on the caravelle) but if not then the after market blind options are always a bit messy and a bit 'look my van has curtains' which doesn't appeal to me. Only a little thing but I think those little things (table and deckchairs too) add up.

No, it has retractable mesh sun blinds but not anything like the beach unless they've changed the options since we had our caravelle. We had silver screens for the front & I made some curtains to fit over the caravelle built in sun shades but they were a pain to fit & another thing to pack

 

[Hotel California]

Two to chose from....
Drive a VAN ....
Or a CALI

Up to you

 

[daveyboydanger]

Having had a t5 van and got part way through a conversion I would go Cali all the way (which is what I'm going to do!).

 

[Tim G]

We had a caravelle with the intention of fitting an elevating roof but when we looked into it properly we discounted it as there were so few companies who have actually done this or those prepared to carry out the work. They couldn't give a fixed quotation due to the complexity of re routing all the ceiling air vents & other electrics.

When we factored in the costs of adding a roof & heater it wasn't justifiable for us. With the beach we have the elevating roof with no worry about invalidating the warranty, the single door is no problem as we prefer the storage offered in the side wall, built in blinds, table & chair storage is a real bonus & the finish is much more practical for camping than the plush finish we had in the caravelle. The children can climb in with muddy boots without me screaming at them for ruining the carpet!

Depends whether you're after a luxury car or a campervan I guess.

Hi Cleve,

That's a fair point about the elevating roof, I wondered how an aftermarket company would get around all the ducting in the roof which serves a useful purpose when using the van as an MPV, but obviously get in the way when you are looking to insert a new roof panel.

As to the main concern of the other posters, my 04 plate Caravelle has the mesh blinds, but I notice that under the 'Sleep Pack' on the Caravelle is listed 'Window Blinds' which makes me think that perhaps these are similar to the beach ones.

The point about van v cali works both ways mind you, as I understand it the new Beach will come with a dash that more resembles theTrransported (Autoexpress 2 days ago), whereas it is the Ocean which has the more up market (presumably Caravelle) dash.

One thing that doesn't appear to have changes in the 11 years since I bought my Caravelle is the difficulty in getting information out of VW lol.

As I don't really need the eelevating roof (kids have now flown the nest), I am persuaded to go for the 'beefed up' Caravelle with the awning, andstow my Coleman pop-up tent in the back. I will hold fire anyway until VW finally releeasse all the specs, butreally appreciate the feed back from you guys, thanks.

 

[Tim G]

No,


No, it has retractable mesh sun blinds but not anything like the beach unless they've changed the options since we had our caravelle. We had silver screens for the front & I made some curtains to fit over the caravelle built in sun shades but they were a pain to fit & another thing to pack

My wife will NOT let me have curtains so I'm limited.

 

[Tim G]

We had a caravelle with the intention of fitting an elevating roof but when we looked into it properly we discounted it as there were so few companies who have actually done this or those prepared to carry out the work. They couldn't give a fixed quotation due to the complexity of re routing all the ceiling air vents & other electrics.

When we factored in the costs of adding a roof & heater it wasn't justifiable for us. With the beach we have the elevating roof with no worry about invalidating the warranty, the single door is no problem as we prefer the storage offered in the side wall, built in blinds, table & chair storage is a real bonus & the finish is much more practical for camping than the plush finish we had in the caravelle. The children can climb in with muddy boots without me screaming at them for ruining the carpet!

Depends whether you're after a luxury car or a campervan I guess.

It is a difficult choice, made more so by the fact that VW are 'almost' there in ticking o
both boxes; certainly far ahead of the opposition.

 

[cleve]

I think the blinds in the sleep pack are similar in the front but in the rear they are like a sleeve that fits in the sun mesh.

 

[motacyclist]

As I don't really need the eelevating roof (kids have now flown the nest), I am persuaded to go for the 'beefed up' Caravelle with the awning, andstow my Coleman pop-up tent in the back

How do the residuals hold up on the Caravelle, will the Cali be worth more when you sell?

 

[MattBW]

After spending 18 months having my 80s VW van restored and reconverting certain aspects, I'd go for factory options every time over a conversion option. Its partly why I went for the Beach.

Especially with things like the roof where corrosion points can be introduced if it isn't fitted and prepped absolutely spot on.