Bellows Replacement

montyburns1982

montyburns1982

VIP Member
Messages
135
Location
Leics
Vehicle
T5 SE 180
I've got a 2015 Cali SE, with the grey canvas roof with three mesh windows.Its starting to look tired and faded now.

I'd like to upgrade to the new style thicker bellows with the zip off front. I like the blue colour.

Can anyone confirm that the new 6.1 bellows fit the 5.1 and suggest part numbers? Also, have the leaking bellows issues been resolved?

I've read the previous threads and watched the German video, doesn;t look too hard to do DIY, getting a dry day might be a different story!

Cheers
 
I have done exactly the same, but mine is a 2006 SE, and wanted to upgrade / replace the canvas. I have been waiting for the last year for all of the leaking issues to be fixed, and it seems that the latest 06S version is now good.

I also looked at buying and fitting the canvas myself, as it didnt look too tricky.

But the cheapest I could get the canvas from was the Club shop at £905.00 delivered. Im not sure on the part numbers, but if you email the club shop they will be able to supply the colour you want.

I contacted Kernow Transporters down in Cornwall, and they will supply and fit the new canvas for £975! it only takes them 2hrs to fit, as I would probably take most the day. And for £70 extra its a no brainer to get a professional to do it for me I thought.
Yes the latest bellows do fit the older models, even the older T5 like mine.

Its a 5hr drive each way for me unfortunately, but im booked in for this wednesday morning.

Looking forward to a smart new bellows with the big front opening.
 
I have done exactly the same, but mine is a 2006 SE, and wanted to upgrade / replace the canvas. I have been waiting for the last year for all of the leaking issues to be fixed, and it seems that the latest 06S version is now good.

I also looked at buying and fitting the canvas myself, as it didnt look too tricky.

But the cheapest I could get the canvas from was the Club shop at £905.00 delivered.

I contacted Kernow Transporters down in Cornwall, and they will supply and fit the new canvas for £975! it only takes them 2hrs to fit, as I would probably take most the day. And for £70 extra its a no brainer to get a professional to do it for me I thought.
Yes the latest bellows do fit the older models, even the older T5 like mine.

Its a 5hr drive each way for me unfortunately, but im booked in for this wednesday morning.

Looking forward to a smart new bellows with the big front opening.
That’s interesting, it would be a couple of days for me but might be worth it!

I’ll get in touch. What colour did you go for?
 
That’s interesting, it would be a couple of days for me but might be worth it!

I’ll get in touch. What colour did you go for?
Ive gone with the dark grey, as my van is grey. My current ones are a funny biscuit colour, and look old now compared to the modern ones.
Yes If there was a bigger difference in price I would have had a go myself, but for someone to do it properly, and also have some sort of guarantee if something happens was also good!
The drive put me off initially as thats an extra cost, but looking forward to a little road trip.
 
I have done exactly the same, but mine is a 2006 SE, and wanted to upgrade / replace the canvas. I have been waiting for the last year for all of the leaking issues to be fixed, and it seems that the latest 06S version is now good.

I also looked at buying and fitting the canvas myself, as it didnt look too tricky.

But the cheapest I could get the canvas from was the Club shop at £905.00 delivered. Im not sure on the part numbers, but if you email the club shop they will be able to supply the colour you want.

I contacted Kernow Transporters down in Cornwall, and they will supply and fit the new canvas for £975! it only takes them 2hrs to fit, as I would probably take most the day. And for £70 extra its a no brainer to get a professional to do it for me I thought.
Yes the latest bellows do fit the older models, even the older T5 like mine.

Its a 5hr drive each way for me unfortunately, but im booked in for this wednesday morning.

Looking forward to a smart new bellows with the big front opening.
Would it be possible for some before and after photos please?
 
Would it be possible for some before and after photos please?
Yes no problem at all! Its booked in for this wednesday, so ill pop some pictures up later in the week! I think its going to be a big transformation from what it is at the moment.
 
I have done exactly the same, but mine is a 2006 SE, and wanted to upgrade / replace the canvas. I have been waiting for the last year for all of the leaking issues to be fixed, and it seems that the latest 06S version is now good.

I also looked at buying and fitting the canvas myself, as it didnt look too tricky.

But the cheapest I could get the canvas from was the Club shop at £905.00 delivered. Im not sure on the part numbers, but if you email the club shop they will be able to supply the colour you want.

I contacted Kernow Transporters down in Cornwall, and they will supply and fit the new canvas for £975! it only takes them 2hrs to fit, as I would probably take most the day. And for £70 extra its a no brainer to get a professional to do it for me I thought.
Yes the latest bellows do fit the older models, even the older T5 like mine.

Its a 5hr drive each way for me unfortunately, but im booked in for this wednesday morning.

Looking forward to a smart new bellows with the big front opening.
A relative of the guy there has a campsite close by - ideal, stay 2 nights and get it done the day between the 2 nights :)
 
A relative of the guy there has a campsite close by - ideal, stay 2 nights and get it done the day between the 2 nights :)
Yes his Niece has a nice campsite 100m up the lane to stay at if needed, includes swimming pool etc.

Im driving after work on Tuesday and found somewhere to park up not far away and then get to Richard for 9am, he says he only needs 2 hours so ill drive back home after lunch. But the campsite looks great if I had more time.
 
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As promised, here are some before and after photos.

I am super pleased with the transformation, and well worth the long drive down to Penzance to get it fitted.
around 5hours each way for me, but I drove down on tuesday, stayed over the night and dropped it off with Richard at Kernow Transporters www.kernowtransporters.co.uk ready for 9am. Really helpful and friendly, and said he would be done in about an hour / hour and half, and would message me when they were almost finished.
I took the short walk into Marazion, which overlooks Saint Michaels Mount, and lovely sandy beach. Unfortunately Misty and heavy drizzle rain but was good to walk around the village.
after only an hour and a half Richard messaged to say it was all ready to collect, I got back to find he had taken his amazing Caddy van out the unit to fit mine in the dry. Apparently the Caddy never goes out in the wet. He had left the roof half up so I could see it, but need to not raise the roof for 24hrs to allow the sealant to set.
He also checked over all f the roof, and noticed an anti rattle shim was missing so kindly fitted this free of charge.
Highly recommend Richard and Kernow Transporters for any work, especially the bellows. well worth the journey.
All supplied and fitted for £975. Latest 06S bellows.

I had an internal liner fitted previously, so the inside colour is similar, but its so much nicer inside, the extra windows are a huge improvement especially the panoramic front. looks so much better than the old faded saggy canvas.

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That looks amazing and what service!

Mines is more tired than yours was….this is going be happening in ‘25 now I’ve decided. Thanks.
 
As promised, here are some before and after photos.

I am super pleased with the transformation, and well worth the long drive down to Penzance to get it fitted.
around 5hours each way for me, but I drove down on tuesday, stayed over the night and dropped it off with Richard at Kernow Transporters www.kernowtransporters.co.uk ready for 9am. Really helpful and friendly, and said he would be done in about an hour / hour and half, and would message me when they were almost finished.
I took the short walk into Marazion, which overlooks Saint Michaels Mount, and lovely sandy beach. Unfortunately Misty and heavy drizzle rain but was good to walk around the village.
after only an hour and a half Richard messaged to say it was all ready to collect, I got back to find he had taken his amazing Caddy van out the unit to fit mine in the dry. Apparently the Caddy never goes out in the wet. He had left the roof half up so I could see it, but need to not raise the roof for 24hrs to allow the sealant to set.
He also checked over all f the roof, and noticed an anti rattle shim was missing so kindly fitted this free of charge.
Highly recommend Richard and Kernow Transporters for any work, especially the bellows. well worth the journey.
All supplied and fitted for £975. Latest 06S bellows.

I had an internal liner fitted previously, so the inside colour is similar, but its so much nicer inside, the extra windows are a huge improvement especially the panoramic front. looks so much better than the old faded saggy canvas.

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Looks fantastic. Can I ask - did they order all the parts up and you just drop it off to get done?
 
Looks fantastic. Can I ask - did they order all the parts up and you just drop it off to get done?
Thanks! Yes they ordered and supplied all the bits, I just messaged to ask for a price, and when they could fit it in, and a week later it was being fitted! He fits quite a few by the sounds of it, so had one in stock, and can fit anytime mon-fri
 
Thanks! Yes they ordered and supplied all the bits, I just messaged to ask for a price, and when they could fit it in, and a week later it was being fitted! He fits quite a few by the sounds of it, so had one in stock, and can fit anytime mon-fri
Thank you. I think a new one on my 2012 will transform it. It’s made a real impact with yours.
 
As promised, here are some before and after photos.

I am super pleased with the transformation, and well worth the long drive down to Penzance to get it fitted.
around 5hours each way for me, but I drove down on tuesday, stayed over the night and dropped it off with Richard at Kernow Transporters www.kernowtransporters.co.uk ready for 9am. Really helpful and friendly, and said he would be done in about an hour / hour and half, and would message me when they were almost finished.
I took the short walk into Marazion, which overlooks Saint Michaels Mount, and lovely sandy beach. Unfortunately Misty and heavy drizzle rain but was good to walk around the village.
after only an hour and a half Richard messaged to say it was all ready to collect, I got back to find he had taken his amazing Caddy van out the unit to fit mine in the dry. Apparently the Caddy never goes out in the wet. He had left the roof half up so I could see it, but need to not raise the roof for 24hrs to allow the sealant to set.
He also checked over all f the roof, and noticed an anti rattle shim was missing so kindly fitted this free of charge.
Highly recommend Richard and Kernow Transporters for any work, especially the bellows. well worth the journey.
All supplied and fitted for £975. Latest 06S bellows.

I had an internal liner fitted previously, so the inside colour is similar, but its so much nicer inside, the extra windows are a huge improvement especially the panoramic front. looks so much better than the old faded saggy canvas.

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I’m confused by the photos?
Did you have your kitchen unit replaced too?
The original photo has a ‘Birch’ looking unit with a light top, but this last photo has a different kitchen all together?

The bellows look good all the same!
 
I’m confused by the photos?
Did you have your kitchen unit replaced too?
The original photo has a ‘Birch’ looking unit with a light top, but this last photo has a different kitchen all together?

The bellows look good all the same!
The Before photo inside was when I first got the van as I didn't have any other pics from inside.
I have since vinyl wrapped the cupboards, and added carbon glass protectors and leather seats covers and carpets. It's the same kitchen, I never liked the birch colour though.
 
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I’m confused by the photos?
Did you have your kitchen unit replaced too?
The original photo has a ‘Birch’ looking unit with a light top, but this last photo has a different kitchen all together?

The bellows look good all the same!
Very sharp indeed!
 
That's the VWCC detective squad at work.

I'm surprised at times at the detail they can observe in photos!
Looks like a commercial bumper on the front rather than the California/Caravelle option. Really tidy paint job though, they're difficult to paint over.
 

VW California Club

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