Cali's on grass

[cpjb@btinternet.com]

OK here's probably a daft question, but I would appreciate some guidance...

Our pitches up until now have either been on hard standings, or baked earth. Is there a rough rule of thumb to gauge what type of terrain the Cali (NOT 4 Motion) can handle without getting stuck?

Is dewy grass likely to be OK for example? Where can one sensibly draw a line, and say no way?

Thanks

 

[BMVS-Camper-Hire]

Unfortunately this will be down to trial and error. I`ve never got a Transporter stuck, even in the snow. Sorry thats not much help, but I think its all about getting confidence in your vehicle.

 

[choplee]

i also have never had any wet grass issue's with any of my transporters ,but maybe on wet grass on an incline may cause slight issues if you don't tackle it correctly.... if the site is that bad i wouldn't use it and ask to parkup somewhere else even in the carpark if needs be ,but if you are slightly worried then i carry a pair of yellow slip mats that can be used to help move off on wet ground ...they are about £10 a pair

 

[Californiaman]

I agree with the above. I've not had a problem yet. The van will happily take me to places that I don't want to camp!

 

[calikev]

cali's on grass :laugh2 :laugh2 thought that was our next meet :laugh2 :laugh2 :laugh2

 

[James]

cali's on grass :laugh2 :laugh2 thought that was our next meet :laugh2 :laugh2 :laugh2

I have to admit Kev - I thought, blimey, I am liberal minded but are we really creating the 19060's hippie bus culture?

James

 

[KazzaJ]

Be careful, I got stuck in the mud on a campsite before Christmas. Yes the site was waterlogged but the owner said it was fine on the pitch I was directed to but it wasn't. Took 4 blokes to push the Cali out! I will now always ask for a hard standing pitch unless the weather has been fine for a while. Remember that a Cali is a lot heavier than a Transporter!

 

[MKRW]

I parked fully laden on a cornish field in October. Very very wet, but also not flat.

Other than trying to get onto the grass up the hill (I eventually decided to reverse, and as I was on a hill easy to roll off) the outcome, a very very muddy Cali behind the wheels. But really no major issues as I kept the Cali moving.

I did notice the following morning that the leveling blocks I had rolled onto actually sank, but that just provided a little more traction when rolling off.

Wet grass and a little soft ground should not be too much of an issue, just be aware of the weight!

 

[muttley]

I had to park on waterlogged (very soft & squelchy) grass at my son's school yesterday. I knew I was going to be in trouble, and sure enough after 10 mins the Cali had sunk in and was an absolute nightmare to get out again. Naturally all the 4x4 drivers had parked on the tarmac so that they didn't get their shoes muddy on the grass! Grr. A couple of Volvos & Golfs had to be pushed out, so I did OK getting off but it wasn't pretty.

Wet grass is not a problem at all, but the Cali is a heavy beast and soft ground is not its ideal habitat (for those of us without 4motion).

Simon

 

[cpjb@btinternet.com]

Thanks for all of the very useful feedback.

I guess it comes down to a judgement call really, and a bit of experience.

Cheers.

 

[Tangle Foot]

They have an electronic diff lock which helps a bit....

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/technology/ ... ntial-lock

 

[cpjb@btinternet.com]

yeah :hello

 

[choplee]

Thanks for all of the very useful feedback.

I guess it comes down to a judgement call really, and a bit of experience.

Cheers.

4motion isn't the be all and end all of cali's ....99.9% of T5 campers are standard front wheel drive .You just got to judge it with alittle experience and whether or not you really want to be camping in those sort of conditions ..
Those traction mats I mentioned do work if you get caught out ..

 

[Gary&Heather]

Thanks for all of the very useful feedback.

I guess it comes down to a judgement call really, and a bit of experience.

Cheers.

4motion isn't the be all and end all of cali's ....99.9% of T5 campers are standard front wheel drive .You just got to judge it with alittle experience and whether or not you really want to be camping in those sort of conditions ..
Those traction mats I mentioned do work if you get caught out ..

you know it makes sence lee 4motion all the way... GIVE IN TO THE FORCE LEE :laugh2 :laugh2

 

[Californiaman]

<1970's on>
Woo hoo hoo hoo, can't you feel the force
...
Can't you feel the force....
</1970's off>